Claire Marie Condon talks about how volunteering brought her out of isolation and closer to her community during COVID-19. Read her story:
For the past few months, I’ve been volunteering with Robert Emmet Community Development Project , an experience that has not only helped me to learn more about myself but about my community.
Before the Corona Pandemic hit Ireland, I had been happily engaged in living out some of my lifelong dreams of having the freedom & flexibility to explore interests & hobbies that I had never had sufficient time for during my 33 year teaching career in the United States and abroad.
Ireland & the Irish have held a special place in my heart since my very first visit back in 1997, so I felt very lucky for the opportunity to realize some of my post- retirement goals here in the country of my ancestry. When I arrived 5 years ago, I wanted to soak up all the culture & craic Ireland could offer and got involved in classes and activities from theatre and dance, to music, photography and sport.
On March 13, 2020, when the restrictions started to take shape, I realised that access to all those activities, and the people I enjoyed them with would have to come to a complete halt. A bit of panic set in: how on earth would I cope when all my regular activities were off limits? How would I stay in touch with friends while socially isolated alone in my apt?
Surely, I was not alone with these worries, but I realised that If I didn’t think outside the box, my mental health would become a more serious concern than the restrictions on my movements. It became clear to me that while I could continue to attend classes & interests online, much of my enjoyment of these classes came more from social interaction than learning a skill or hobby.
I had my “aha” moment watching the many news stories of people in much more distressing situations than my own. I realized that the best way I could help myself get through the challenges of the lockdown was by helping others in need. With the help of Dublin City Volunteer Centre (DCVC), I got in touch with Austin Campbell, the CEO of Robert Emmet Community Development Project (REDCP), who was running a community food program to help individuals and families in Dublin 8 and surrounding areas who have been affected by the impacts of COVID-19. .
With the help and support of local restaurants, schools, charities, resident associations & a dedicated volunteer team, this program has been able to provide food parcels & ready-made meals to close to 500 community members per week, free of charge .
To say that volunteering had been rewarding is an understatement; volunteering has not only helped alleviate some of my own stress about the lockdown restrictions, but more importantly it has given me the opportunity to feel a part of a community of tremendously kind and caring people. I have made some valued connections with volunteer staff at REDCP, but the most heart-warming relationships that I have built are with the people I‘ve had the chance to meet while delivering groceries and meals . A day in which everyone you encounter greets you with a smile along with a “thanks a mil” or “God bless” or “You’re a good woman, Claire” is what I would consider a day well spent…and a lovely reminder about what this living is all about.
I’m not sure how long the Robert Emmet Organization will continue their community food program, but I am confident that those who took part, including the fundraisers , food suppliers, restaurant chefs, parcel packers, route planners, delivery team and even the Hertz Car Rental Staff on S. Circular Road who arranged affordable car hire so I could participate, should feel proud to have been a part of this worthy effort .
Thank you, Robert Emmet Community Development Project, for welcoming me to your organization; and a more personal shout out to a favourite uncle by the name of Robert Emmet Flynn. Although now in heaven, wouldn’t put it past him to take on the role of guardian angel in leading me to discover such vital organization, one I look forward to working on other worthy projects in the year to come.
-Claire Marie Condon
Thanks to Claire Marie for sharing her genuinely uplifting story. Do you have a story to tell about volunteering during COVID-19? We would love to from you at info@volunteerdublincity.ie