May 2020 – “Save Our Seniors” SOS

The news is full of stories of people experiencing the worst, so it’s refreshing to hear the stories of people rising to the occasion. That’s why I thought I’d share this.

COVID-19 shut down much of life as we knew it, including school for students like my daughter, Liz. While this wasn’t the way she envisioned spending her senior year of college, rather than complain, she took positive action. Liz has a special relationship with her grandparents and is grateful they live close. She realizes, though, not everyone is so lucky, and that got her thinking about our senior citizens who are facing this crisis alone.

Liz talked about this with her friend, Jenna Ferreira, and through that discussion “Save Our Seniors of Hunterdon County” was born. “Save Our Seniors” (SOS) is a program comprised solely of volunteers who bring groceries and essentials to seniors living in communities surrounding Clinton Township.

Liz and Jenna’s idea caught on quickly. “Save Our Seniors” attracted more than 40 volunteers and the cooperation of several local organizations, including the Flemington Area Food Pantry and the Clinton ShopRite. And this is all done with no face-to-face contact to minimize exposure for all involved.

While the news reported on some college students flaunting their Spring break escapades in the midst of this pandemic, a good number of local college and high school students, led by two North Hunterdon High School alumnae, pitched in to help others in their community.

I’m proud of Liz and her friends for setting such a positive example, going out of their way to keep some of the more vulnerable members of our communities safe.

For more information on this program and how you can help, call (908) 437-8039 or visit their Facebook page @soshunterdoncounty.

Stay well and let’s keep looking out for each other! We will get through this together!