How can we help others?

How can we help others?

The New York DeMolay mailbox has been filled with a lot of questions: “How can we help others during COVID 19?” “Can we send things to the Masonic Care Community?” “What are things that people need?”

It has been truly exciting to see the outpouring of support and compassion from all across DeMolay, the ingenuity shown by members, but most especially the kindness shown by each of you towards one another.   We wanted to highlight a few ways that you as an individual or your chapter could do something. We also want to stress that these are voluntary things. Your health and safety is our number one priority.  The last thing we would want is for you to put yourself in harm’s way.

1. Do something nice for seniors in care:
In speaking with the Masonic Care Community, if people would like to they can send new, unopened puzzles or new puzzle books for residents. It is important that these be new so they can be wiped down and sanitized.
Masonic Care Community
2150 Bleeker Street
Utica, NY  13501
Videos are still greatly appreciated!

In talking with “Dad” Chris Roberts who manages several communities his residents could also use puzzle books, but also individually wrapped snacks.
Chris Roberts
2781 US Route 9, POB 95
Livingston, NY 12541

We are also providing chocolate to our amazing MCC staff as a way to thank them for all that they are doing!

We have reached out to the Easter Star Home at Oriskany and are still waiting to hear back from them.

You may also want to reach out to the local retirement and care communities in your area about things they may need. Each facility has different levels of what they can take or what they want coming into their space. For example, a facility that my friend’s wife is in will not allow any outside packages to come in.

2. Make a Monetary Donation to Your Local Food Bank:  The economic downturn has dramatically increased the strain on community foodbanks. ProPublica has a good article here https://www.propublica.org/article/how-panic-buying-has-put-an-incredible-strain-on-food-banks-even-as-the-need-for-them-explodes .  Making a monetary donation to support your local food bank will help them in their mission.  Feeding America has a spotlight on why giving cash makes more sense than giving canned goods here: https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-blog/donating-food-food-bank-consider-cash-instead-canned-goods. To find your local food bank you can go here: https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank .

3. Consider other Human Service Organizations:  Every community has key Human Service Organizations that are operating under increased strain.  The shelter I regularly volunteer at, for example, has had to eliminate volunteers from coming in and helping, while at the same time socially distancing their staff. Reach out to the Humane Service Organizations and see if there are needs and how you can help.

4. Do something thoughtful for first responders and critical and essential workers: Every day there are people who go out and keep America going. If you order something off of Amazon or Wal Mart or Target there’s not some magical process that gets it to your door. It’s hardworking people.  Someone has to put bring items into the warehouse, someone has to be at the shipping and receiving facility, someone has to put it on the truck, someone has to drive it to your home. Their work has become 1000X more difficult and on top of that they need to balance life. Same is true for our police, our medical, our fire, and our EMT services. Staff at Nursing Care Facilities are going through an incredibly stressful time as their operations have shifted.  If you know of an essential worker take the time to say thank you. Keep them in your prayers. Some communities are banding together to sponsor meals or snacks or treats for these amazing people.  


5. Raise Awareness of the need to donate blood: There is a huge shortage of blood. Consider raising the awareness of the need for blood donations, either through social media or in every day conversations.  https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html


Finally, keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers.  Think good thoughts, and live our DeMolay values.