Delivering Smiles: Rotary actions reminding those who are sheltering in place they are cared about
Published 7:01 am Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Members of the Austin Rotary Club pick up flowers that were distributed to nursing homes and assisted living centers throughout the community. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Rotary Club president Nancy Schnable brings out flowers to fellow Rotarian Alice Holst Monday morning at the Hardy Geranium. Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Flowers from Hardy Geranium wait for distribution by Rotary Club members Monday morning. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Hardy Geranium owner Vicki Trimble brings out flowers which were later distritbuted by members of the Rotary Club Monday morning. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Janet and Scott Anderson sit with a car filled with meals for Riverland Students, delivered by the Rotary Club Monday morning. Photo provided
Vicki Trimble, owner of The Hardy Geranium, stands by the lowers they sold to the Rotary Club that were given to residents of Austin’s assisted living and nursing homes Monday. Photo provided
The Cedars Senior LIving Community office manager Carol Weber receives flowers from the Rotary Club for its residents Monday morning. Photo provided
Boxed food from the Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center is loaded and ready to be taken over for students at Riverland Community College by the Rotary Club Monday morning. Photo provided
During this time of pandemic, it’s easy to get down and depressed, but a local service group is doing their part to make sure people who are stuck indoors are being thought of.
On Monday, Austin Rotary Club on Monday, members delivered both food and flowers with pictures to people in Austin who have been closed off due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It gives our members something to do and to do some volunteer things as well,” Rotary Club president Nancy Schnable said.
The group’s first stop Monday was to deliver food to Riverland Community College students in on-campus living. When travel restrictions were put in place to help curb the spread of COVID-19, many international students were stuck in Austin.
“We found out that due to travel (restrictions), international students going to college at RCC unfortunately could not go home,” Schnable said. “A lot of their US roommates had gone home for spring break. They’re kind of stuck on campus in the student housing.”
The Rotary Club usually holds its meetings on Mondays at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, but now the club — in partnership with the Holiday Inn — are instead opting to box the lunches so they could be delivered to the students themselves.
The food was picked up and then brought on campus where it was distributed to the students in order to limit contact.
“It’s a pay it forward type of thing,” Schnable said.
After that, Rotarians changed gears in order to bring that same message of caring to residents of nursing homes and assisted living spaces.
At around 11:30 a.m. Monday, they gathered at the Hardy Geranium, where they purchased flowers to be given to nursing home residents, along with artwork.
“With this coronavirus, we’re all in it together,” Schnable said. “We understand some Austin residents can’t have visitors. To brighten their day we came up with Operation Senior Smile.”
There will be enough flowers for every facility resident in Austin, along with pieces of art created by Apple Lane and Community Learning Center students.
“Hopefully this will brighten somebody’s day,” Schnable said.
This work being done by the Rotary Club is representative of all the people who are trying to do something to help during this pandemic. While it gives members a chance to take part in doing something positive, it also goes to the core of what service groups are all about.
“People are looking for ways to help these days,” Schnable said. “We’re just trying to realize that we’re all in this together and we’re doing the best we can.”
