Idaho Falls

44 IDAHO FALLS MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2020 BY SUSAN STUCKI As people globally were encouraged to stay at home and shelter in place, charitable acts with an entirely new twist surfaced. Folks rallied with kind- ness, kindness for mankind! We really were "all in this together!" People Rallied: Social media was filled with details of home projects and creative activities in which people engaged when the pace of life decelerated. Many turned outward in encouraging ways to serve their neighbors and even strangers. Musicians Rallied: Fiddling, strumming, and plucking, the Old Time Fiddlers didn't allow the pan- demic to stop them from lifting the spirits of the elderly who were on lockdown. They drummed up a musical parade, spreading hope and cheer with their music outside many assisted care facilities, as well as performing in front of three dozen private homes. Professional musicians, choirs and fami- lies shared their music online, inspiring lis- teners. Residents in a large apartment complex social-distanced while playing their instru- ments in harmony with others, each from their own balcony. A local musical duo, one in her 80s and the other, 90s, went from doorstep to door- step with fiddle and banjo to lift the spirits of their friends. Friends & Family Rallied: Creativity profusely flowed with many as they found ways to celebrate friendships during the stay home decree. Parades for birthdays, graduations, and other celebra- tory occasions delivered joy. My own disappointment over cancelled birthday celebrations diminished as not just one, but two surprise birthday parades came to my home. Horns honking, friends and family calling out wishes for happiness on my special day along with carefully crafted signs were healing for my disappointed soul. During the stay-home directive, two dif- ferent friends brought fresh, homemade bread. Another chef friend delivered an entire gourmet meal on our doorstep "just because!" Pillsbury nailed it when they pro- claimed, "Nothing says lovin' like something from the oven…" More than one generous photographer took family photos on doorsteps around their neighborhoods, then gifted the photos to the families. A young couple expecting their first baby, and living far from family, had nothing pre- pared for the arrival of their newborn. Baby showers had to be cancelled. Neighbors cre- ated a list of things this family would need and within a short time, these generous neighbors gathered everything from a crib to a rocking chair, diapers to clothing, blessing the lives of this little family. Front doors of homes were decorated with paper hearts (also known as a heart attack) to share some joy with the occupants. Plates of cookies and signs reminding them that they were missed were secret- ly placed on doorsteps. The brother of a COVID-19 patient sent her a $100 gift card for DoorDash deliveries. Strangers Rallied: One business printed photos free of charge for funeral displays while photo kiosks were closed to the public. After working full days, a man shopped, ran errands and made hot meals for healthcare professionals. Stores did personal shopping and free delivery to those affected by closed public transportation, confinement to a care center or anyone else in need. Teachers & Schools Rallied: On school's chain link fences, faculty mes- saged students using Solo cups and other signs. High School graduations became more unique and customized than any traditional ceremony. Ingenuity hit record proportions in an effort not to disappoint the graduates of 2020. Countless hours were invested by faculties who faced the uncharted challenge of creat- ing online school then following through with every single student, every single day. Some teachers went to the front doors of their student's homes, sharing a treat as they visited at a 6-foot distance. Acts of kindness during the pandemic provided peace, productivity and purpose to both the recipients and those who served. Although some of the service felt like little tiny drops in the huge worldwide ocean of the pandemic. I was astonished during our mask-making project that "when the bucket is so big, every single drop will help." IF Best of Mankind CELEBRATE LIFE

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