There’s no denying that the impact of this pandemic has been far reaching. For many, it has been a true test of resiliency and grit in the face of job loss, overdue bills, food pantry lines, and unrelenting stress. For others it has been a time of reflection and renewed appreciation of privilege and disparity. Fair Tide has had the distinct experience of facilitating connections between these two groups and the result has been a striking illustration of neighbors helping neighbors. The real beauty of this phenomenon lies within the individuals on both sides of the connection, and the shared benefits of offering a hand up. We offer you a peek into this phenomenon with two remarkable examples which provide inspiration and hope.
An active member of the Kittery Point community was seeking out ways to help people who had nowhere to go amidst the stay at home orders. Her familiarity with Fair Tide’s work led her to their voicemail where she left a simple, powerful message,
“I would like to pay someone’s rent for a year.”
This incredible gift found its recipient in Greg and Kathy* and their two energetic little boys. The family had recently lost their home to foreclosure and found themselves at a local homeless shelter. Despite both parents working, they faced the depressing reality that they could not afford the inflated rental rates of today’s market. The match between this donor and this family helped them rediscover a sense of stability and hope as they moved into their own apartment. Never in her long history of generous philanthropy have this community member’s dollars been so life changing.
A similar phone call came into Fair Tide a month later,
“I would like to donate a one year rental of my apartment.”
Her only request was that the tenant cover a portion of the utilities. This offer came from a Fair Tide supporter who is a vocal advocate for positive, systemic change and community improvement. Through this gift she felt she could use what she had to make a real, concrete impact on someone’s life.
And that’s exactly what she did for Tom*, an older, kind-hearted gentleman who had recently lost his job and in turn, his housing due to an injury. He was staying with a friend, but that arrangement was short term and less than ideal. This gift will provide Tom the space and safety he needs to recover and make plans for the future.
These gifts serve so many purposes, not the least of which is the life changing impact they have on the recipients. For the rest of us, though, they serve as bright rays of light, cutting through the pervasive darkness of our time. They are reminders of our own power to make a difference with acts both big and small. They teach us that if we all choose to be that ray of light, together we could drown out the darkness.
*Names have been changed to protect the identity of individuals