“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
- Dr. Seuss
Here it is! This week’s roundup of all the beautiful good happening in our local communities!
1. KloudKnine Music Charity Facebook Concert
Matt Cloud is not only a nice person, but he’s an incredible DJ with a big heart. Earlier this week, he held a Christmas in April Charity concert for 2 hours! The Facebook concert raised money for healthcare workers and those suffering from COVID-19.
He opened his Christmas in April set with a 30-minute Power Half hour and ended with 90 minutes of EDM, Hip Hop, and Top 40 music. He has a knack for playing music that makes you want to get up and dance! Please check out his musical talent on his Facebook page @KloudKnineMusic.
You can make donations directly to the United Nations Foundation Page at this link: https://covid19responsefund.org/?&ms=unf_home
2. Animal Rescue League visits Amity Nursing Home
Earlier this week, the Animal Rescue League of Berks County brought some furry friends to visit the folks in the Amity Nursing Home. Though the animals and residents could not interact physically, the residents seemed to be enamored and excited by their mere presence outside their windows.
Puppies and doggos are often the light we need during stressful times, and these handsome and beautiful puppers are no exception. All of the doggos who visited the Amity Nursing Home residents need a home themselves. If you are in the market for a new pet, please consider reaching out to make an adoption appointment! If you’re not, you can always donate on their website.
3. The Well - Keeping their Folks Fit
On an almost daily basis, I am seeing friends and loved ones worry about their physical health. While gyms are closed, and good workout equipment is hard to come by, one gym, in particular, is doing everything they can to keep their members in shape.
The Well is located in Fallsington, Pennsylvania. One of their head trainers travels to the gym regularly to film WODs (Workouts of the Day) to post on Facebook. These workouts are being offered for FREE to anyone who follows their Facebook page (@fit.TheWell). (Some of them are toughies!)
But, they take their love and care for the clients one step further. Dan and Ellyn, the new owners of the gym, have also loaned out equipment from the gym for their members to use during this difficult time. It doesn’t stop there, people. Oh no. Dan and Ellyn purchased this gym JUST before the lockdowns went into effect. Like many other small businesses, they are facing difficult challenges every day. Still, that didn’t stop them from donating 20 pizzas to their local hospital.
Truly, this is an amazing and magical place run by people who have a passion for making others better. If you want to show your support and live out that way, consider joining their gym!
4. Random Rocks of Inspiration
I’ve seen a few folks post images on Facebook of painted rocks they are encountering during their runs/walks out in nature. While this might seem like a small gesture to some, to others, these random messages of inspiration bring home and positivity during this time of uncertainty.
Unfortunately, the folks painting these rocks are anonymous. I’ve seen people from as close as Collegeville and as far as Reading post images of painted rocks in their communities. It seems that many folks are making an effort to bring smiles and warmth to the hearts of random strangers. It is a touching and meaningful reminder that we are all in this together.
I highly encourage anyone reading this to pick up a rock and some paint and leave some messages of encouragement in your communities. You never know who could use the extra pick up that day!
5. The Power of Reaching Out
Okay, so I'm going to cheat a little bit here.
Earlier this week, I saw a post on Instagram from Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, which struck me. He said, “During the loneliest week of my life, I made a list of the people who mattered the most to me. Then I wrote them each a note about what I appreciated most about them. Voicing the unspoken can remind us we’re not along – and strengthen our connections.”
This past week, I have been feeling particularly lonely. So, I made a list myself (that ended up getting exceptionally long). I decided to start slowly working by reach out to a few people each day to check-in, say hi, and ask if they need anything. I reminisced with a few, and others I just listened to. It was a friendly reminder that these connections matter.
During this time of social distancing and isolation, staying connected is vital to our health and well-being. You don’t have to reach out to everyone you love every single day – that’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself – but a single message to a person that matters to you can help you feel reconnected and bolster your health and well-being.
***
That’s this week’s roundup! Of course, there are so many more people doing great things in our local communities that I plan to highlight every week! If you know a business or person who is doing something remarkable in their local community, please shoot me an email at brittleighwrites@gmail.com so that I can add them to my list!
Stay safe, stay healthy, wash your hands, and always care for others.
Happy helping!
Britt Leigh