The random acts of kindness emerging amid coronavirus stress
With the spread of coronavirus flooding our screens, there are bright light stories emerging of Aussies supporting each other in this time of crisis. Here are the random acts of kindness in our community.
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HELPING HAND FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Innovation has become key for local businesses to stay afloat since more stringent regulations have been announced in Victoria.
After hearing stories of struggle from friends who own small businesses, 26-year-old software engineer Matt Perrott and business partner Emily Mellor created a website and app to connect local businesses across Melbourne with customers in their area.
Mr Perrott said he empathised with businesses who have had to pivot entirely and let go of staff.
“For many businesses, they have had to completely change the way they do things,” Mr Perrott said.
“We developed this platform for any small business to advertise and inform customers of what they’re offering.”
The platform, which started being developed last week, has more than 60 businesses signed up so far.
The app and website is expected to officially launch early next week.
To sign up head to https://carrythroughcovid.com
STRESS RELEIF FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS
While most Australians working or studying from home, frontline professionals are still working tirelessly within the community.
Eight-year-old Dylan Nelson decided to create stress balls for police and healthcare workers to show his appreciation.
The Moonee Ponds community rallied behind him, with Woolworths donating icing sugar and Lombards proving Dylan with balloons needed to make the stress balls.
Dylan expects to deliver the stress balls to GP’s and hospitals with his mum Maree this weekend.
HEALTHCARE WORKER REWARDED
The day-to-day has become slower for many, but, that isn’t so for healthcare workers who are working around the clock to minimise the impact of the coronavirus.
Full time nurse Theresa Bott said she and her family have been struggling to balance finances and the stress that comes with healthcare professions at such times.
On Wednesday Ms Bott was given $20 by a staff member at her local Woolworths in Park Ridge.
The money was donated by another customer, who gave strict instructions the contribution must be passed on to a healthcare worker.
Ms Bott said she felt overwhelmed by the gesture and solace in the fact that healthcare professionals are being thought of during this time
“I felt overwhelmed with gratitude because it had been such a terrible start to the morning,” Ms Bott said.
“It came on just the right day to mean so much.”
KEEPING SPIRITS HIGH AT AGED CARE HOME
With limited technology and restricted visitation, the elderly are at risk of feeling more isolated than most over the next few months.
To combat this, Michelle Tenenberg and her 13-year-old daughter Jada wrote more than 110 handmade cards to residents at their local aged care home in Caulfield South.
Ms Tenenberg said she isn’t related to anyone at the aged care facility, but understandS how difficult the current circumstances must be.
“We can only imagine how lonely and sad they must feel without any of their usual visitors Ms Tenenberg said.
The cards are expected to be delivered this Monday.
TEEN REWARDED FOR HARDWORK AT SUPERMARKET
Many industries have felt the economic pinch of the coronavirus which has led to mass job losses.
But, supermarkets are still thriving with many rewarding staff for this consistent effort in what has been a hectic past two weeks.
Sixteen-year-old Ethan Hudson who works at IGA Meribein was given a $50 voucher by his manager for maintaining a positive and hard working attitude.
Mr Hudson’s mother, Cheryl McLean, lost her job this week.
Ethan has offered the $2500 he has saved since working increased supermarket hours in addition with the $50 voucher to his parents to keep them afloat for the next few weeks.
SOUP DELIVERIES SPREADS COMMUNITY SPIRIT
Nicole Lewis-Jacobs says it’s in her blood to help others.
The mum of two from Melbourne’s southeast already runs a soup kitchen in St Kilda for the sick and homeless, and is now turning her attention to helping neighbours like 90-year-old Clyde Wood.
“All my friends are laughing (saying) you’ve got your own family and you’re running around doing this for people,’’ Lewis-Jacobs said.
“In the next couple of weeks when we’re stuck at home, that’s when the younger generation will come to the party.
“There’s not all bad in the world.”
Lewis-Jacobs delivers soup to those in need and has even bought toilet paper for another neighbour with four children.
“I would give things to someone else before my myself, it’s how I was raised,’’ she said.
“It’s out of the goodness of my heart. It costs nothing to be kind.”
Wood said he has been overwhelmed by the kindness of people looking out for him.
“I’ve had people walking past dropping off food, and Nicole dropped me off some soup,’’ he said.
“I took it for one reason, because it made her feel good to give.
“Giving is better than receiving, there’s a lot of truth in that.
“Kindness is the thing you remember most, and in times like this there’s kindness everywhere.”
MT ELIZA COMMUNITY RALLYS FOR BRAIN SURGERY BABY
The Mt Eliza community is renowned for their ability to lean on each other for help.
When Hannah Dryfhout posted on Facebook group Neighbourly Love asking for hand sanitiser, her friends and neighbours offered up the essential in droves.
Ms Dryfhout said on Tuesday last week that she felt blessed to have such generous people around her, especially in difficult times.
“My son got discharged from emergency brain surgery on Friday,” Ms Dryfhout said.
“He is seven-months-old, has a complex medical history and we only had a small bottle left.
“I’ve had so many people from the community send things down and my Chemist Warehouse director called me directly the night before last to say they will supply me with essentials for the next few months.”
SMALL GROCER SUPPORTS MUM OF SICK BOY
Some of the people being urged to self-isolate and minimise outside contact that most are those with low-immunity.
For Elwood mother Cris David this means her three-year-old son Taiyo, who is currently going through chemotherapy, must stay away from crowds.
Thanks to the staff at her local grocery The Leaf Store, doors have been opened earlier for Ms David so she can shop prior to other customers arriving.
MUSIC LIFTS THE MOOD IN DISABILITY CENTRE
Disability support worker Michael Dodd said spirits at Scope Mitcham Lifestyle Options have been low since scheduled weekly outings are cancelled.
To improve the outlook of residents and raise the mood of the day centre Mr Dodd, who is also a music teacher, dusted off his keyboard and took song requests ranging from Lady Gaga to Elvis Presley.
Mr Dodd said he immediately noticed a change for the better.
“I saw some participants who had been silent and angry all week start to light up and smile,” Mr Dodd said.
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KNOW OF ANOTHER RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS IN THESE STRESSFUL TIMES? EMAIL ALEXANDRA.GAUCI@NEWS.COM.AU