Woman Creates “Pandemic of Love” Website That Connects People In Need With Those Who Can Help

• Shelly Tygielski designed a program that she initially developed to help her community.
• But then the program grew big and people from all over the world are using her platform to help each other.
• She calls it “Pandemic of Love” which allows people in need to request help and others in a better position to provide aid.

---

It is always amazing to see people stepping up and looking out for each other in times of crisis like the one that we are in now.

Using her own unique way to help, a woman from South Florida started a little program which originally was intended to make a difference in her community. Little did she know, it was bound to go big and global.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9sPsv7Bz5U/?utm_source=ig_embed

Shelly Tygielski, a local mindfulness teacher from Fort Lauderdale created the Pandemic of Love after seeing her people losing jobs and struggling amidst the COVID-19. Her social media news feeds were filled with anxiety and chaos and all she wanted to do was help.

“I wanted to turn from this environment of fear to an opportunity for us to create connection, community and strengthen the bonds of love between us,” Shelly told CNN.

On March 14, she announced in an Instagram video her new program could connect people in need with people who are willing to lend a hand. When she went to sleep that night, she didn’t have any idea how much impact her efforts could make and how far her program could go. But then she woke up to 400 requests for help and 500 offers to give assistance. 

“I really just thought this would be a community thing for the South Florida community, for the people who come to our meditation group on Sundays, and that’s it—and that would’ve been enough,” Shelly told the WTVJ News.

Inspired by her initiative, people from all over the world set up the same program under her ‘Pandemic of Love’ banner in their own communities. So far, there are about 16 countries using the Pandemic of Love website, and that includes Iceland, Australia, Chile, and Mexico.

The majority of the people asking for assistance are those who want to stock up on supplies and food for their family which costs an average of $150. Shelly hopes that amidst the crisis brought about by COVID-19, her project ‘Pandemic of Love’ will continue to benefit more and more people until the coronavirus days are over.

“On a personal level, it shows me that a person can make a difference when you aggregate this act of kindness. You know viruses can be scary things, but the word ‘viral’ does not have to be negative. A lot of positive things can go viral like hope and faith and love. And love can be the cure.”

Source: Good News Network