7 Amazing Ways to Lift Community Spirits During the Quarantine

Last Updated on June 22, 2020 by Iryna

Honestly, I’ve never experienced a quarantine before. For my whole 30+, I don’t recall such strict measures from the government like the closure of schools, parks, playgrounds, offices, the majority of the businesses. The current pandemic is something new and unknown, with people staying on quarantine at home and doing social distancing.

But, despite all the crazy things going on, what amazes me is kindness and support people provide to each other in such an unprecedented and uncertain time. They support each other’s spirit by simple acts of kindness, showing the true meaning of humanity. If you would like to support your community, here are some ideas on how to lift your community spirits during the quarantine.

Giveaway for the Frontline Workers

No question that frontline workers such as doctors, nurses, grocery store personnel, Canada post officers, delivery guys, and those who still continue working with the public take a great risk. While we are staying at home, in our comfort zone, buying food online, or going to the grocery store once a week or so, those guys work with people every day.

I know, it’s their choice and their work. But, maybe some of them have to work to provide for their families, and didn’t have much 0f the choice? Or maybe they have to work during the quarantine because someone needs to serve people? Or maybe it’s how they are, selfless and eager to step out and help?

Well, there can be any scenario, but I think those people deserve our acknowledgment. So, how can we support them?

I saw some people and businesses do the giveaways on social media. The one I saw recently on Instagram was done by cravenaturals, where they’ve asked people to nominate and tag the frontline workers who they wanted to acknowledge.

In the end, there was a draw for a $100 amazon card. Nice, right?

Those types of giveaways serve like an appreciation from people and a reminder to the frontline workers their work is greatly valued, especially during the quarantine.

And I am sure the person who won the giveaway felt the cheer and support from the community.

Supporting Your Hospital

In the time of the pandemic, hospital workers may be overwhelmed with the number of patients and lack of tools. Check on your hospital website, their social media channels, or ask in your local Facebook groups if there is anything needed for them.

In my community, our local hospital was asking for the baby monitors to be able to monitor the rising number of patients with a limited number of medical staff. I’ve read about this in the local mommies group. Someone was collecting them to bring to the hospital, cause some moms were not using them after their kids grew up. Overall, 10 moms donated their monitors to the hospital.

Altogether people supported each other and showed empathy to the medical workers. Such a great example of humanity!

Another amazing way people support medical workers during the quarantine is by making noise. In Toronto, for example, every day at 7:30 pm people come to their front door, balcony and make some music, dance, sing, bang on the pots to show appreciation to the health care workers.

People in the apartment buildings around us were banging pots and pans to show their support for healthcare workers ❤️❤️❤️#toronto pic.twitter.com/Xp9iTLcKjK

— Bri (@BBenton99) March 25, 2020

Firefighters and police organize a convoy with sirens to drive near the hospitals and medical buildings. Honestly, I never saw something like this before, and it brings tears to my eyes knowing how people care about others. Seriously, this pandemic brought the best human qualities in some people.

 Sewing PPE

Before the pandemic and quarantine, I didn’t know what PPE stands for. But now, I feel like everyone knows that PPE is Personal Protective Equipment. That’s the masks, gloves medical personnel wears at the hospital during the procedures, and that’s what recommended to use now outside during the quarantine.

When all the COVID-19 situation started, people started stockpiling PPE. I know at some point it was hard to get masks and gloves at the store. We got a few from our neighbors, by the way. Really nice of them to support us. I should say we really lucked out with all our neighbors, every one of them.

I saw numerous posts on a Facebook group from people sewing masks and offering them to those in need. Some people were sharing the hand sanitizer that someone couldn’t get for their immunocompromised child. There was an immense support in the community!

I especially loved the story about a 13-year old boy scout from BC who used the 3D printer to produce ear guards. They remove the pressure from the ears of those wearing a mask. Other people picked up on the idea quickly and started producing the ear guards to donate to the hospital workers. Such a great example set to others. Well done, Quinn!

Supporting Your Local Business

Some small businesses were hit hard by the coronavirus. They had to close the doors of their brick-and-mortar facilities and lose their income. If big companies had more cash available to wiggle around to survive, some small businesses could close down completely without the chance to recover.

What I saw in the local Facebook group, people were posting about the small local businesses they knew and asked to support them. For example, garden centers had to be closed and flower pots had to be thrown away since no one was buying them.

People would ask others to support the small businesses they knew to keep them running. If you know of such businesses, let other people know how they can help. Spread the word, post in your local Facebook group, share with your friends and family. Every small gesture helps.

Free Stuff in Your Neighborhood

As I’ve mentioned earlier, we are lucky to have a great neighborhood. And we had another confirmation of that during the pandemic and quarantine – not an easy time for people, especially for those with kids.

Our neighbors with older kids sorted through their books and crafts and offered a few boxes of those for free to the families. They’ve made signs on the boxes and also posted on social media for people to come and check.

So many kids stay at home during the quarantine, and parents were happy to find another activity for kids to do to keep them busy.

My daughter was super excited to find an origami kit and a coloring book in the box! Those are her interests at that moment, and she was super excited to find them.

I can’t say enough words how grateful I am as a parent to this supportive family!

Message Rocks

Well, I am not sure who started this idea that was picked up by others right away, but it’s a fantastic one! In our neighborhood, people painted rocks with the uplifting messages and supporting words and left them on the paths along the trails. We’ve found so many of those! Honestly, I didn’t know there were such talented artists in our community.

One teacher painted the rocks, numbered them, and posted the map to her students so kids could have a scavenger hunt outside. Such a brilliant idea!

Now it’s our favorite thing to do during hiking or biking –  finding rocks along the path on trails or in the forest. I think I have a collection of pictures now, as I want to capture every piece of this rock art. If you are the one who painted those rocks, you need to know – they brought tremendous joy to other people and lifted up the community spirit. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Pictures and Teddy Bears in the Windows

I think staying home during the quarantine and following the social distancing rules are mostly hard for kids. It’s in their nature to be active, play with their friends, interact with each other. Now that the schools are closed, it’s a totally different world for them.

Again, I saw this idea on social media (thankfully, we have the Internet those days and abundance of creative minds around the world). An amazing way to cheer up other kids during the quarantine is to display the drawings and teddy bears in your windows.  First of all, kids will be motivated to bring their artistic skills to life and will be busy for some time (win-win for parents).

Second, this will help kids show support to each other and cheer up each other during this pandemic. They can draw some cheerful pictures, or add some message to their drawings. We loved seeing the drawings of other kids in the windows of their houses during the walk!

Oh, and if the weather is nice outside, kids can draw something with the chalk as well. Whatever works those days to support each other in the community, is great.

Summary

In this uncertain time, here are 7 amazing ways to lift community spirits during the quarantine:

1. Social media giveaway for the frontline workers
2. Supporting your hospital with needed supplies and by making a noise
3. Sewing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and producing ear guards by 3D printer
4. Supporting your local business
5. Offering free stuff in your neighborhood (especially for kids)
6. Painting message rocks
7. Displaying pictures and teddy bears in the windows, along with the chalk paint art

Stay safe, friends, and support your community however you can. We are in this together ♥

What are some other great ways to uplift the community spirit that you’ve done or observed? Feel free to share below in the comments.

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