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For all that is awful in the news… For all the fear, the anxiety and the uncertainty that has arisen across the world from COVID-19, there are surprising acts of kindness and empathy that go largely overlooked. Decades ago, the beacon of empathy to generations of children Mr. Rogers famously said, “when I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Ever-present are the faces of helpers we expect to see: doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, but some less obvious ones are the classed “essential workers” who are working harder than ever to keep the lights on, the shelves stocked and necessities provided to us during this downtime. They are the fast-food workers, grocery store employees and gas station attendants who are often overlooked. At the grocery store recently we saw someone put the last loaf of bread into an elderly lady’s cart and another person who brought in a case of Puragel for the cashiers to use and stay safe when he heard that they were running out. So how are people getting involved and what can you do?
The Caremongering Trend
This current situation might be difficult for some to deal with. It's important to be aware of the mental state of others as well as yourself. The Mental Health Foundation provides support during times of crisis as well as year-round. They're currently running a campaign for random acts of kindness campaign, it's gaining more traction than ever and it's a great time to partake in some ideas.
For the elderly and vulnerable, stocking up on food, toiletries, and other necessary supplies can be impossible to do. A movement coined by Canadians called “caremongering” is a counter moment to fearmongering that describes the practice of offering help or care to those that need it most. This can include setting up online exercise classes, cooking and doing chores for others, running errands or even delivering supplies or food. The movement took off in Canada and was picked up by news outlets in the United States, triggering a number of Facebook groups to pop up throughout North America…several hundred by region and city!
If you wish to get involved or need assistance yourself, view the Caremongering Groups on Facebook.
A few weeks back, a woman named Becky Wass went viral on Facebook for her #viralkindness card that the created and shared with neighbors, urging others…everywhere to share similar cards.
A San Francisco company also has created an app called Nextdoor that pairs trusted connections for individuals wanting to help or who need help with everything from information, goods, and even services!
From teenagers and college kids organizing and mobilizing to local groups and churches, people are fighting darkness with love and light. HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
In addition to getting involved in some of the movements above, you can also do a few simple acts of kindness that can go a long way to helping others:
- Support local businesses by buying a gift card or two. If you have a favorite restaurant, store, café or even salon…email them and ask what you can do to help.
- Offer to walk a neighbor’s dog for them.
- Run to get groceries or prescriptions for elderly neighbors near you.
- Call neighbors, friends or family just to check in and talk.
- Organize for your children’s friends to do a video playdate on Facebook or Zoom.
- Arrange for online board games with the community, using Facebook's native games such as Monopoly.
- Volunteer for local Meals on Wheels programs, or contact local churches and groups in your community to see what they need.
What Are We Doing?
Both Priyanka & Gautama Swamy every year support local and national programs and charities, but for this crisis, we wanted to go one step further. This month 5% of all website sales will be donated directly to the Global Citizen & World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. If you want to help…simply shop as you normally do or even better: help us get the word out that we’ll be doing this all month by resharing this page: www.perfectlocks.com/blogs/all-tressed-up/coronavirus-covid-19-update-for-perfect-locks
WE'RE GIVING BACK!
5% of all website sales during the month of April will be donated directly to the Global Citizen & World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. Let's #FlattenTheCurve together.
Doing all that we can to support those in need is part of our culture and ethos, not just during this crisis. From partnering with John Muir Health to assist patients to hair loss solutions to our work in fitting custom hairpieces at the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, learn more about our cares and causes.
