How To Organize Support For Someone In Need -- Online!
When someone has a new baby, an extended illness, or any other crisis that renders them out of commission for a bit--there's usually a slew of people who quote the phrase, "Let me know what I can do to help."
Well, that line is helpful and all to folks who aren't, say, in a crisis. We all know that the first thing we do when things get tough is make up a spreadsheet and click down a phone tree.
Or not.
But there is generally one person who does like to coordinate help for someone in need. And since I happen to be that type of person, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, I've found a trick along the way to make the process a little easier.
Now while coordinating volunteers is a rewarding adventure, repeating the same story and communicating via "reply all" e-mail is not.
That's where the Care Calendar comes in. It's a free, online service that provides a central location for help to be organized. One coordinator (you!) sets up a simple calendar and lists needs as varied as meals, childcare, errands, housework, rides, visits, or yard work. There's a (secure!) place to list contact and other pertinent information about the person in need, as well as space for photos and updates as needed. Once the calendar is set up, it's as simple as notifying the caring volunteers of how they can sign up online to help. Easy peasy. I've used this website myself to coordinate meals for a new mom, and it saved me quite a bit of time--and yet! The needs were met just the same.
Do you know of other sites for organizing support for someone in need?
Do you know of other sites for organizing support for someone in need?
For more tips head over to Works For Me Wednesday!
2 comments:
I love Care Calendar! It makes things so much easier. I'd forgotten about it - thanks for the reminder.
Funny, I wrote about meal delivery to a new mom today! The coordinator didn't use Care Calendar... I think I'll coordinate the next one and use it to show everyone how it works. :)
Lotsa Helping Hands is probably a similar website to Care Calendar. Someone used it recently to coordinate help for a coworker of mine who has cancer. I also really like it when we've had friends or family members in long-term medical situations who have used Caring Bridge. It's nice to be able to read that instead of feeling like you are pestering them to find out how things are going.
Oh, and you can come coordinate part of my life any time you want to :) Meals would be nice...with bran blueberry muffins.
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