By Piya Jacob, SCC Board Secretary
I am sitting at home as directed by the authorities in order to slow down the spread of the COVID-19 Virus. All of us are called upon to do what we can to slow the spread of this new virus.
While many of us can isolate ourselves, there are people around us who do not have this luxury. We are very grateful for our doctors and nurses who take care of our medical needs. They are working long hours to provide services to all of us. Babies are still being born, bones are still fracturing and someone is still breaking their eyeglasses. Their families worry about the long hours they have to keep and their exposure to this new virus. The pharmacists who we rely on to fill our prescriptions soldier on. The people stocking and restocking the shelves in our grocery stores have to go into work. Please take a moment to thank them as you go to purchase your onions and eggs or bread. They, too, are worried. They, too, have families at home waiting for them to get home and stay healthy.
During this time when we might be going a bit stir crazy, we can think of ways to stay in touch and be of use to one another. There are restaurants around us that are open for take-out orders. Order your dinner, drive over and keep our local restaurants going. Our take-out orders allow the restaurant owners and their staff to pay their bills and not shut down entirely. If we support our local business now they will be there for our celebrations when we are past this epidemic.
This outbreak has brought to our attention that there are people all around us who need our help. Perhaps you can pick up groceries for an elderly neighbor. Maybe you can take a pot of soup over to a friend who is unwell. And as you stay indoors, helping to minimize the spread of the virus, sort through your bookshelves and closets and gather up items to donate to our local thrift stores.
This self- quarantine provides an opportunity for each of us to call out our better angels. We are doing what is prudent in order to slow the spread of a virus. We truly have become our brother’s keeper and we can look beyond our rugged individualism and put the well-being of others first. Without picking up a gun we are on the front lines. And we can look back on this difficult period and be proud of how we hung together and took care of each other. Be well. We have been given a great opportunity to do good deeds. There is something we can do or make for somebody who would appreciate a virtual hug. Show your appreciation for all our first responders. Be sure to thank those still working to keep our lives running.
The Sedona Community Center continues to provide vital food services through the Meals on Wheels program. We thank the dedicated drivers who deliver a hot meal to those who need it. Also, people may come by and pick up a hot meal to go since there is no dining-in service now. If you or someone you know needs a hot meal during these trying times, or at any time during the year, please call in advance to arrange for meal pick-up or to find out more about meal delivery. We are all in this together.
People have asked how they can help the Community Center. Because of the need to avoid contact with others, we regrettably are not utilizing new volunteers at this time. Community members who owe Arizona taxes are reminded that the Sedona Community Center is a qualified recipient of the Arizona Tax Credit initiative. It’s a win/win situation, allowing you to direct your state-owed taxes to the qualified non-profit organization of your choice. Although, the tax payment deadline has been extended, the time-frame to make your contribution to the Community Center is still April 15th. To find out more, go to SedonaSeniorTaxCredit.org.
