local people make GOOD: meet these inspiring people helping others through COVID-19
I love seeing the way people rise to serve others through difficult times
Today, I’m highlighting a few people I see doing good in our community. I know these people bring a lot of joy to a lot of people—yet they may not know how much their actions matter.
Will you join me in showering these wonderful people with some LOVE?
In no particular order, here are four local people showing up for others daily.
baptiste power yoga Phoenix
Okay, I had to put BPYPHX first because Cinnamon told me to.
Cinnamon, our determined rescue puppy, loves to teach yoga to all of her friends on Zoom and instagram. While her brother Copper is camera shy, you won’t have any trouble spotting Cinnamon in our photos and videos.
My husband Brian loves yoga; he also loves forcing yoga on others (raise your hand if you have ever been forced into yoga by Brian 🙋🏼♀️🙋🏼♀️🙋🏼♀️). Thank goodness he does, because his passion for helping others is contagious!
Brian created BPYPHX out of his heart for helping others. His vision is to share yoga + mindfulness practices with those who need them most: law enforcement, military, “unlikely” yogis all around the world.
It’s no surprise that Brian’s heart for others has brought like-minded people together.
Together with Jessie (a powerful teacher and big-hearted young woman we are so lucky to have in our lives), BPYPHX has been providing free “Coffee and Yoga” classes Monday-Friday morning on Instagram for the past ten weeks!
They are wrapping up the May Zoom series that benefited Saint Mary’s Food Bank this Saturday and are launching the June Zoom series (and some other exciting events!) to benefit Africa Yoga Project.
Check out their website for tickets and more!
AZ sidewalk smiles
Doesn’t this page bring a smile to your face?
Their Instagram bio says it all; simply make a donation and send a private message to schedule your sidewalk art!
Local media personality, Mandy Holmes, found herself suddenly homeschooling her son amidst a global pandemic. Like many moms, she turned to art as a way to cope.
Suddenly, the idea to help others (both those financially affected by the pandemic, as well as those isolated at home) was born!
What it is and how it works (taken from their GoFundMe page, linked below):
“Amid a stressful global coronavirus pandemic, a colorful movement of positivity was born.
Sidewalk Smiles offers the opportunity to send a bright message or image of hope etched onto your friends and family's sidewalks and driveways, meant to bring a smile to their face and be seen by others on an otherwise solitary walk.
How does it work?
1) The sender chooses from a Flower Garden, Rainbow, Floating Hearts, Smiley Face, Balloon Bouquet, or Personalized Message.
2) The sender makes a minimum donation of $20.
3) The sender provides the recipients name and address via Instagram DM or email to sidewalksmiles@hotmail.com
4) Our team will deliver a chalk masterpiece to the recipients sidewalk or driveway within 48 hours!
All donations will support people in the Arizona community affected by the COVID19 virus. Nominations for beneficiaries should be sent to sidewalksmiles@hotmail.com with a 100 word explanation on why they should be considered along with their contact information.
*Currently we are only offering Sidewalk Smiles in the Phoenix Metro Area.”
My message to you, for being here! I’m “sol” happy you’re here!
Pandemic of love
“It takes one act of kindness, one idea—but if nobody else latches onto that idea and if nobody else actually jumps on board, or decides to rise up, then it’s not a movement.”
—Shelly Tygielski, founder of Pandemic of Love
Katrina Kadyszewski is one of the over 100,000 volunteers who latched on to the idea of matching people who need help with people who can offer help. When COVID affected Phoenix in early March, Katrina learned of a new movement called Pandemic of Love, started by Shelly in Florida.
Already an extremely busy person, she immediately committed to becoming an admin for the Phoenix chapter. Katrina is a hard-working, kind-hearted woman who doesn’t ask for anything for herself, and is always willing to go above and beyond to assist others in need. I’m so grateful to know her and have her in this community!
Read Katrina’s story in the caption below.
From Pandemic of Love’s website (linked below):
“Pandemic of Love is a mutual aid community of care that was started in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. It humbly began on March 14th, 2020 by one person and was intended to help her own local community. But, like an epidemic, the act of love and kindness spread quickly and is now a beautiful movement helping those in need throughout the world.
What is a mutual aid community? It connects people in need with patrons who can help with that need. This is a tangible way for people to give to each other, quickly, discretely and directly.
What’s the catch? There is none. Kind people are introduced to kind people which results in an act of kindness and human connection.”
Isn’t this incredible? And you can be a part! If you’re in the Phoenix area, reach out to Katrina or simply check out the website from anywhere in the world to learn more.
As of May 19, thanks to Katrina’s efforts to raise awareness and facilitate local programs, 47 local people and families have been assisted by 30 local donors.
Thank you, Katrina, for your big heart and your willing hands to help!
Join Katrina and so many others by clicking this link!
Phx finds
Lexy Romano, founder of PHX Finds, has impressed me from the get-go with her warm, loving presence, and commitment to elevate local business through her platform.
In a busy world, our most precious resource is truly time; Lexy freely offers her time to support local businesses and local people with her “Five Minute Finds” series.
Also, WHAT a great idea! I love finding new restaurants and services but rarely take the time to dig in.
I appreciate Lexy’s direct approach and willingness to get to the heart of a business or person in just five minutes. In fact, her segment with Songbird Coffee & Tea House convinced me to make a date with Brian to check it out!
I hope you enjoyed meeting some local people who are making a difference here in Phoenix
I would love it if you left them a comment, shared their stories, or sent them a note of thanks! So often, people do so much good in the shadows…I think it is important to recognize their work both for them, AND for people who need what they are doing.
I appreciate you for showing up to read, and thank you in advance for sharing
I’ll see you back here on Friday for another Friday Feature of one of my favorite humans!
xoxo