People Are Virtual Giving Worldwide During #COVID-19

Virtual Giving really? We are glued to our local news listening to the directives of city, state and provincial officials so we can protect ourselves from the spread of #COVID19 across the globe. These physical measures are important to flatten the curve – social distancing, working remotely, staying home from school, refraining from unnecessary trips to the grocery store. Events are cancelled, sports are on hold, and some cities have done mandatory lock down to ensure the virus does not continue to spread. These physical changes to our life style and daily living are important – wait let me rephrase that – critical to the health of our global communities.

But how do we take care of ourselves emotionally and psychologically during this time? Little is being said about this, but I have found that people are doing amazing things to keep themselves and others happy, spreading kindness and giving every day. It is these stories that are warming my heart during this difficult time. I am also using them as a lesson for my kids as we home school for the next few weeks. Yes, we are discussing what COVID-19 is, why we need to distance ourselves from others – aka cancel all March break activities – but we are also learning more about how to continue giving while we are at home. These virtual giving lessons are awesome and I love that they get it!

World-wide Virtual Giving During #COVID-19

People are being so creative when looking after themselves emotionally during #COVID-19. I have found giving stories from Australia, China, Italy, New York and the UK. What I found when I read these stories was a switch from anxiety to that of joy, happiness and a strong belief in the strength of the human spirit. Ready for some warm and fuzzy #COVID-19 stories? Need a lift between news alerts and press conferences? Well buckle up and continue reading. These global giving stories are good!

Jeanie Finlay -UK – Mentoring Online

Jeanie has been open about her way to deal with the corona virus. Her website lists her free mentoring programs offered her way of virtual giving during the corona virus. She recognizes that anxiety, isolation and stress are disabling when on lock down. She too has had to stay in the UK instead of working on her next film. To make herself happier and more connected she decided to use this time wisely, and use her own skills to spread some joy. She is mentoring film makers through online free courses who are in the same boat – at home and anxious about their next steps. We love this. Share your skills by offering it through social media and see who you meet through online meetings and mentoring! That is a give worth talking about.

HTML Flowers – Instagram Virtual Giving

This is wonderful. The request went out on Instagram and people commented showing how they could help if needed. This man wanted to motivate others to give during the corona virus to the most vulnerable in our communities. He requested that people who are able bodied connect online to those who are sick and can not do some simple chores. This call to action and awareness that people need help is a great community give to get people together! Bravo. People have reached out to say they can drop off groceries, pick up needed medications or just connect online to make sure people are okay.

Italians Clapping for Health Workers and Serenading Their Neighbours on Lock Down

This is the first corona virus give I saw and felt my mood change immediately after I watched the video. Italians started serenading their neighbours from their balconies as they were in their apartments waiting out the lock down. The joy from the music elevated the mood felt by those unable to leave their homes. I was thankful for the window of happiness that opened up at my desk.

Their second give was to clap for health care workers from their balconies thanking them for their hard work and dedication.

New York Met Opera House Streams Free Encore Performances Online!

This is a wonderful gift and big give for people across the globe. With events and performances shut down in many countries, the New York Metropolitan Opera has decided to stream encore performances online. These performances are free, streamed each evening at 7:30 PM EST for the next week. Watch La Traviata, La Fille du Régiment, Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, or Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. These are older performances streamed on the Met’s website, but an opera is an opera that withstands time. Thank you to the Met for making this give open to the masses! Watch the performances on the Met’s website this week! Further performances will be announced.

Sharing Extra Toilet Paper In Australia

This is a great give that was shared on a Facebook page. With toilet paper in short supply, with store shelves cleared of this house hold item (as I write this I still dont know why toilet paper is in such demand) there are people willing to share their extra rolls with others. This small act of giving shows that people want to be kind, want to help others, and proves how that we can build happiness during this time. This give costs nothing, Regina was willing to give these away for free and did a shout out for others to do the same. That is a fabulous COVID give! Love it!

Food Blog Inspires Lock Down Cooking in China

This couple was on lock down in China and found ways to share recipes using only the food in their pantry and fridge. This heart warming give provides encouragement to those who were not sure what to do with the staples in their house when they could not go out and shop. Their creativity was a breath of fresh air while people struggled to be creative. A give as simple as this made lock down happier, and easier. This is what we should be doing while we remain in our houses. Share our skills and ideas online for others to see and share. Not sure what to do with some flour in the house? Check out these food videos and make a great meal for your family, a true people give!

You Can Be Happier During #COVID-19

Using online giving ideas is one way to increase your happiness while going through lifestyle changes. These people have been every day heroes as they share their happiness strategies online. How can you share with others online during COVID? How can you create a happier, more creative lifestyle as we wait out the changes in our cities? Doing one small act of giving at home can make the world of difference to yourself and others. Give it a try and use our virtual giving ideas to get you started.