April 24, 2020
William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, said this hundreds of years ago. Right now, many people are taking his words to heart and living them in countless ways. And I want to give some of them a shout out - and maybe spread a little much-needed joy.
Local businesses are contributing where they can - like Schreiber's Deli on Kinderkamack Road in Oradell (www.facebook.com/Schreibersdeli/), which is feeding our hospital workers. (They also have fantastic food and the best potato salad on the planet, so it's a great place for take-out.)
Big business is helping out, too - from Horizon Blue Cross to Frito Lay (www.fritolay.com/action-covid), which is not only donating dollars and equipment but they've committed to creating jobs. And Estee Lauder (www.esteelauder.com) has switched from makeup production to hand sanitizer.
Individuals are doing what they can in a thousand different ways. Providence Dunphy in Oradell is making headbands for nurses so their protective masks are more comfortable to wear, and Katherine Norian now makes them, too. Nina Bianco of River Vale is working to organize a food drive. Rita Walker is selling "We Love You Healthcare Workers" signs to provide help for these real-life heroes. #healthcare #kindness
When I really need to feel inspired, I look at the men and women who are persevering through this and finding ways to go over, under and around whatever obstacles are in their way to get things done and keep business moving. Kim Paton of the Paton Law Firm in Fair Lawn (https://www.patonlawfirm.com/) is doing will signings in her parking lot; Laura Huisking of Generations Counseling and Care Management (https://generations-llc.com/) is working with clients remotely; Jennifer van Dam of The Cupola (https://www.care-one.com/locations/careone-at-the-cupola/) works hard every day to keep residents' spirits up; and Camille Munro of Caring People (https://caringpeopleinc.com/locations/hackensack/) keeps finding ways to connect her business community.
For pure joy, check out John Krasinski's show, Some Good News (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5pgG1M_h_U). John makes you feel good about humanity in just 15 minutes or so. He has produced an episode every week since March 29th and has done a great job lifting spirits. Watch it for some instant relief and to remind yourself: "...any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now..."
