SEEING THE
SILVER LINING
IN A STORM
Good Deeds Abound in a Local Neighborhood Story by Hannah Hanlon
I
n early 2020, most people had probably never heard of the word “coronavirus.” Now it’s a part of our daily vernacular with hashtag slogans such as #stayathome and #socialdistancing being used millions of times. People locally and globally quickly learned how to adapt to new norms that they may never have thought they’d have to adjust to: wearing N95 masks to go out for essential items, for instance. That is, if an N95 mask is available and not sold out. Some local residents have noticed this need and felt the call to action. Since the shelter-in-place orders, individuals and communities have been finding ways to support each other. Such an exemplary spirit is found in The Hunt Club neighborhood where individuals are doing what they can, whether it be by organizing teacher parades, making handcrafted cards and scrapbooks to thank essential workers, or encouraging neighbors to put teddy bears in their windows to uplift the spirits of children. Some have been spearheading charitable organizations to make masks for frontline workers, while others are contributing what they can by individual efforts—even getting their children involved to help. Christy Bush, a cabinet maker for a local aerospace company, has enjoyed seeing the acts of positivity and goodwill 42
spread throughout the community and so have her kids. “One of our kids did some mosaic chalk art on the sidewalk with some inspirational quotes,” says Bush, as she bakes homemade bread and jars pickles. “And the kids are also helping me to make masks.” Bush’s family lives in Mississippi, on the border of Louisiana, where cases have rapidly increased. And she’s very concerned for good reason—she has three
generations of family living there, one of whom is 95 years old. “My side of the family is very small,” says Bush. “There’s very few of us left. And this has been giving me nightmares.” She started making masks initially for her family and friends, and then she continued to make masks to give to healthcare workers, neighbors, and co-workers. “So far, I have made over 200 masks,” says Bush. “At least I feel like I’m giving something…doing something.”
From left to right: Megan Williams, Tera Jones, and Brandice Hughes
www.PoolerMagazine.com | July/August 2020
