We are all experiencing some unexpected bumps in our lives right now. Given the current state of events globally, I’d like to propose some things we can do during this social separating “down time.”
Did you know that most poll workers and food bank volunteers in Richland County are over the age of 60, along with most volunteers as a whole? The older population sees volunteer opportunities as their way of giving back to their communities, but in doing so, they’re putting their health at risk.
Perhaps the Ohio Polls would have been open on Tuesday if the majority of the poll workers would have been in a “safer” age range. It did play a part in the state of Georgia as Georgia’s governor explicitly cited the aging poll worker population in his decision to close the March 17 polls.
Ohio has ruled that food banks must remain open during this time of other work site closures – and rightfully so. Perhaps some younger people or the recipient population would consider “giving back” and volunteering at these places?
Maybe people can volunteer to get outdoors and pick up trash in their neighborhoods and along their streets or in the parks. This sounds like a good activity for families with kids looking for something to keep them productive and occupied.
Of course we should always be safe, washing hands, wearing gloves and/or masks, using hand sanitizers and keeping safe distances from others. Don’t jeopardize your own safety, just use common sense.
Our lives are not all about entertainment – the internet, live streaming, video games, DVDs, books – the things we routinely do when we have a chance. Maybe our lives can be about actually existing in a community and all of us giving back, because we have so much.
Author bio: Stana Shogren is a volunteer food pantry worker, volunteer AARP tax preparer, and a Richland County poll worker.
