By: Hannah Dunckel—
Muncie, IN—It was the beginning of March, and the world was changing before our eyes. Every hour there was a new update on canceled events, businesses closing, kids going home from school, and most importantly, people who needed help due to the rising concerns of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. People were scared and unsure of where to turn. Through anxiety and fear, we began seeing “the helpers.”
Fred Rogers was quoted saying,
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ ”
Duncan McLarty is one of the helpers. Duncan is a student at Ball State University and also swims for the BSU swim team. After in-person classes were canceled, Duncan reached out to LifeStream with the simple message, “How can I help?” Because LifeStream serves the most vulnerable population to the virus, we saw increased need throughout our community among seniors. Just three days after reaching out to us, Duncan was hard at work grocery shopping and delivering food, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies to seniors who are unable to leave their homes. In the last month, he has delivered to over 19 seniors in Delaware County.
Duncan shared:
“My mother has always taught me that life is not about what you get, but what you give. This opportunity has given me the chance to give back to people that are not in a position to help themselves.”
The most rewarding moment of this experience for Duncan came when he dropped off a delivery of food and toilet paper for an elderly woman. On the doorstep was a note, “God Bless! Thank you. Be safe and wash your hands often. Jesus loves you!”
“The gratitude expressed by the people receiving the deliveries is what makes it so rewarding to be a volunteer,” Duncan said. “I highly recommend anyone who is considering volunteering to reach out to LifeStream as soon as possible. There is a dire need in our community, especially right now, for healthy people to take the initiative to assist the population of people who are just asking for a little help. I know it has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me.”
Years from now we will look back on this time, and through all of the sacrifices and unknowns we are feeling now, we hope you remember the helpers, like Duncan and so many others who have stepped up in a critical moment in history to lend a hand for the most vulnerable.
Hannah Dunckel is Marketing Manager at LifeStream Services
If you are interested in volunteering for LifeStream Services, please visit lifestreaminc.org or contact Laura Bray, Volunteer Services Administrator, by calling 800-589-1121 or emailing lbray@lifestreaminc.org.
LifeStream is your local Area Agency on Aging and East Central Indiana’s Aging and Disability Resource Center. LifeStream provides programs and services to help older adults and people with disabilities remain active and independent in their homes and communities. Programs and services include in-home care management, transportation, information and assistance, meal delivery, and more.
765-759-1121
www.facebook.com/lifestreamservices
