The world is currently experiencing a collective traumatic experience. A great way to combat this trauma is by showing community love. The impact level that COVID-19 has on people varies based on certain things like income, job security, family status, and many others. Some people are adjusting to working from home. Others have lost their jobs all together. Some people have a safe place to isolate. Others are not as lucky. 

Regardless of the impact level, everyone can benefit from showing community love. At Safe Harbor International Ministries, we are committed to showing community love by providing family restorative services and victim advocacy. Even if this is not your specific mission, there are many ways you can contribute to lifting up your community. It is even possible while adhering to the CDC recommended social distancing policy. 

So, what are some ways you can show community love? Keep reading to learn more!

Volunteering

A great way to show community love is by physically assisting in your community’s specific needs. There are still ways you can volunteer your time and talents, even while practicing social distancing.

According to Fidelity Charitable, there are still many organizations across the country needing volunteers to “provide critical services to your community.” Food pantries, senior centers, and even nonprofits like Safe Harbor International Ministries are accepting volunteers to make a difference. 

There are many ways to find volunteering opportunities near you. Online sources like VolunteerMatch can connect you with several opportunities across the country and in your local community. Many states even have online sources that connect you to state specific volunteer opportunities. You can also reach out by phone and email to your local nonprofit and volunteer organizations to see what gaps need to be filled. Community services such as Meals on Wheels are always looking for assistance. The need for these types of services have skyrocketed since many people have lost their source of income. 

Here at Safe Harbor International Ministries, we are looking for individuals who can help us make face masks to give out to our first responders, health care front line workers, and anyone who may need one. Volunteering your time to sew these masks can be done in the comfort and safety of your own home. You can email us at contact@safeharborim.com or call us to sign up to volunteer your time and talents to sew these masks.

Of course, the first thing you should consider before volunteering is your health. DO NOT volunteer your time If you are elderly, immunocompromised, or under other risks of infection. There are other ways you can help show community love without potentially spreading COVID-19. 

Donating

If you are unable to volunteer your time due to sickness or self isolation, you can still show community love through donations. Many charities and nonprofits are accepting donations to make supplies like face masks for essential employees who risk their health to provide necessary services. Other organizations, such as the World Health Organization, are using donations to aid in research and provide medical supplies for those in need. 

Donating to help those in medical distress is not the only way you can show community love. Eater.com has compiled a list of relief funds for those in the service industry affected by the social distancing protocol. Millions of people in the country that work in the service industry are struggling due to lack of income and benefits from their employers. The Entertainment Industry Foundation has created a relief fund for entertainers whose main source of income has also been slashed by social distancing. 

Donating is a great way to show community love without having to leave quarantine. Even small donations are appreciated. It is critical that those who are still financially sound to give back in order to keep their communities afloat. 

Moral Support

It is understandable that many are not able to volunteer or donate during this time due to their own struggles. However, there are still ways for those unable to give money or time to show community love. 

In my community, a common way people are showing moral support is by launching Teddy Bear hunts. Everyone in the neighborhood participates by placing a Teddy Bear somewhere that can be seen from outside the house, like a window. Parents then take their children on a “hunt,” where they go around and locate as many teddies as possible. The entire community can get involved in a cheap, no contact way. It also provides entertainment for children who are struggling to keep occupied. 

A great story out of San Antonio, Texas came out recently that gives a great example of moral support. A group of teachers made a surprise visit to their students by driving by in a caravan. The students greeted them with amazing, hand made signs expressing how much they miss and appreciate their teachers. This was a great way to show community love by expressing “solidarity” between the students and their teachers. 

At Safe Harbor International Ministries, we have a great program that can help produce moral support and show community love. “The Love Project” is a program that sends hand made quilts to nominated people and families who need to be shown love. What better way to show someone that you are thinking about them by sending them something designed to bring comfort and peace? To learn more about our program, click here!

Conclusion

It is more important now than ever before that we come together to support each other. Even though times are incredibly stressful, there is still hope. Expressing  community love through various acts of kindness shows people that they are not alone in their struggles. It is easier to heal when you have a support system. When the entire world is in pain, our communities become our support systems. The only way we will make it out of this on a positive note is by working together to keep our communities afloat. COVID-19 will eventually end, but our communities will always be there. Let’s use this time of turmoil to make a real difference in our world. 

Safe Harbor International Ministries is teaming up with local agencies in Atlanta to make face mask covers for first responders and medical staff. It has been very hard for front-liners, who are forced to wear the same face mask days at a time, or even weeks. Making face mask covers will help with maintaining the longevity of the masks they are using. To help us with this mission, you can donate materials by calling us at 404-692-3245, or donate online for us to purchase supplies.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

Written by Bethany Fischer, blogger at Safe Harbor International Ministries. For more articles, please visit our blog page at https://www.safeharborim.com/articles/