So she started a Facebook group — Neighbors Helping Neighbors — one of many community-driven volunteer groups that have sprung up in Arizona since the outbreak began. (Others include COVID-19 Mutual Aid Group Phoenix Metro Area, Basic Needs Donations for High Risk Individuals - Phoenix Metro, Family Relief and Crises Support [Pinal County Communities], and Mask Phoenix, which organizes people people to sew masks to be donated to health care professionals in need.)
Since its founding in mid-March, Neighbors Helping Neighbors has brought new moms baby formula, diapers, and wipes. The members have donated peanut butter, jelly, bread, and snacks to a local farm working with shelters and group homes for children. And they’ve connected an immuno-compromised mother and special needs son with badly needed groceries.
“We recently held a toilet paper drive for assisted living centers,” says Coleman, a mother of two from Mesa. “Their national supplier was completely sold out. We were able to collect almost 300 rolls of tissue. They have four centers, one with 27 beds. They told me they need about 250 to last for two weeks. We also gave them paper towels, Gatorade, batteries, adult incontinence products, medical products, and more.”
On March 16, Coleman shared a Facebook post with the 600-plus member Neighbors Helping Neighbors group seeking donations for two senior care facilities running low on supplies. Four days later, Coleman and a handful of others brought toilet paper and other goods donated by members of the group to Emerald Groves Central, an assisted-living facility in Mesa.
Health care professionals wearing masks made by Mask Phoenix.
Ben Wei via Facebook
“You guys are absolutely amazing!” Smith wrote on Facebook after receiving several of the items she had asked for. “I feel confident in saying that for the unforeseeable future, my parents are in a great spot! Thank you so much!”
