Helping Neighbors
CRANBERRY TWP — For the community. To make a difference. And the Bible.
Those were just some of the reasons people pitched in to help procure basic human necessities — such as food, water and toiletries — for families and individuals in need during the coronavirus pandemic.
“In a period of time when so many of us feel so helpless, there's so many more people that have more limitations than us,” said Cranberry Township resident Don Heisler.
Heisler was one of 18 volunteers who participated in the first mobilization of the township's Community Response Team, a recently organized group designed to step up in this unprecedented shutdown of daily life.
“It's a great community effort, one that every Cranberry resident could be proud of,” said Dick Hadley, board of supervisors chairman. “An amazing number of volunteers have come out and are coming out.”
For a half hour beginning at noon Wednesday, the volunteers showed up at the Public Safety Training Center to receive a shopping list and gift cards so they could buy necessary items for residents who need them.
Maintaining social distancing, the volunteers remained in their cars while Amy Behun, Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company administrative assistant, asked them to take their temperatures and provided them with the lists, cards and a letter stating they were permitted to be out and about during the stay-at-home order.
Within the hour, the first volunteers returned with trunks full of supplies. They remained in their vehicles while Behun or Hadley unloaded the supplies and brought them into the building for later distribution.The specific motivations of the volunteers varied widely, but they all had the same goal: helping those who need it.Briana Cowen, of Evans City, said she heard about the opportunity on Facebook and knew she had to help as an act of piety.“The Bible tells us to help those in need,” she said.Cranberry resident Carolyn Maerkle heard about the community effort from her neighbor and thought it would be a good idea to help and to get out of the house as well.“With being off of work and our children home (from school), ... I thought it would be nice to come out and do something and make a difference, especially in a climate like this where we don't have much control,” she said.Wednesday's event involved the efforts of organizations across multiple municipalities, according to Scott Garing, the township's chief of fire and emergency services and EMA coordinator.Cranberry and Harmony Fire District both provided manpower and helped recruit volunteers and donors for the response.Regardless of their motivations, Hadley said, the response of community members to the call for volunteers in such an uncertain time shows a positive aspect of Cranberry and the surrounding areas.“What's great is this community can come together no matter what the circumstance is and deal with it,” he said.
