Kindness abounds in Modesto and throughout Stanislaus County despite coronavirus
A co-worker of my Grace Davis-educated, now-adult daughter wrote this in a digital chat with colleagues:
“I have lived for six decades:
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
March”
Most of us can relate. I hope we can even laugh. It’s important to keep and feed our sense of humor in times like these.
How do you stay positive, when people are getting sick and working less or losing jobs and maybe homes, and the economy is falling apart? What’s your trick?
I’m among those lucky enough to still be working. From home, but still working. When cabin fever starts to set in, I find that running the dog helps; well, she runs while I ride a bicycle.
Did you see this opinions page in Friday’s newspaper? I appreciated the local column submitted by Rho Yare with the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program. Getting our hands in the dirt in spring sunshine works magic on our souls, she said, in so many words.
But there are many who can’t safely get out, and shouldn’t. How are they coping?
TVs obviously are getting more use than ever. At The Modesto Bee, we know more people are reading, seeking information on the coronavirus and its attendant disease, COVID-19. Many have sent notes saying they appreciate the many dozens of stories, photos and videos about the crisis, packed with helpful resources and data and ideas on where to go for help, and how to help.
The writer of a local letter to the editor, sent when this thing exploded, asked for a list of restaurants providing to-go food and deliveries. At the time I thought, “Great idea, but not realistic; too much work.” The Bee’s Marijke Rowland proved me wrong, producing exactly that in Thursday’s paper and promising to update it regularly for online readers in days and weeks to come.
It helps to see others in action, doing good, and The Bee helps with that. In recent days we’ve seen:
- Faculty with Carroll Fowler Elementary School parading through their Ceres neighborhood so they could wave to students and their families.
- People taping paper hearts to windows in Oakdale in support of seniors, and others elsewhere displaying teddy bears.
- United Way launching a fund for food, supplies and other needs for seniors and people with medical problems.
- The Stanislaus Community Foundation rushing a generous $100,000 grant to Stanislaus Meals on Wheels, which takes food to home-bound seniors.
- Kevin’s Natural Foods providing 6,500 meals to Second Harvest, which gives food to needy residents of San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced and the Mother Lode counties.
- Several stores reserving special hours for customers most at risk, like seniors and those with compromised health, so they can shop with a little more peace.
- The Modesto Gospel Mission delivering free care packages of food, toiletries and other basics to people 60 and older stuck at home.
- CrossPoint Community Church collecting personal protective equipment, masks, cleaning products and medical equipment for our healthcare teams in Stanislaus County.
- Schools feeding those in need. Suzanne Robinson sent a note Wednesday about Modesto City Schools’ program, saying, “We need to smile, so put the word out: They are providing lunches and that includes breakfast for the next day. Two of the schools gave out about 1,100 today. The people helping felt so good about themselves, and the receivers were so happy, some tears flowed. People were saying they want to help, and others said they can’t wait till tomorrow.”
Heart-warming stories that haven’t made it into print or online include Five Minute Car Wash (1109 Oakdale Road., Modesto) attendants pumping gas for at-risk customers so they don’t have to get out of cars, like the old days. And the Gallo winery producing cases of hand sanitizer for local first responders; Stanislaus County officials will distribute bottles to seniors, homeless and others, Stephanie Gallo said. And a Modesto nursing home calling residents’ family members with daily updates, just to keep everyone informed and connected with their loved ones.
Hooray for these people and their acts of goodness. The Bee appreciates hearing about them, because we like telling stories of kindness and compassion, of graciousness and gratitude. Keep telling us so we can tell everyone.
So many others throughout Stanislaus County and beyond labor silently, without praise or recognition, to lift and encourage, to provide non-contact comfort and relief, to ease another’s burden, to somehow connect in a time of isolation. We thank and honor them, and they are many.
We are blessed to live in a place where people care about people, even when we’re not supposed to touch them.
This story was originally published March 29, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
