Can one person really make a difference in this crazy world?
Stephanie Errigo of Clearfield believes they can and she spent the month of May finding one kind act to do each day.
Errigo, an elementary school counselor and Clearfield Borough Council member, said she decided since there was no way to really celebrate her 30th birthday with the COVID-19 crisis, she would mark it by doing one kind thing each day.
“I thought this would be something different to bring smiles to people, some of which didn’t even know me,” she said.
Some of her acts were simple like writing a letter to her mother, paying for the person behind her in line at Dunkin Donuts and donating to various non-profits.
One of the charities she supports is Little Bag of Sunshine, a local group that provides hygiene and health products to students through the Mo Valley YMCA’s Weekend Backpack program.
She also took snacks and coffee to police and EMS workers, cleaned up the tree boxes and trash in Downtown Clearfield and organized the Lawrence Township Volunteer Fire Company’s lasagna dinner, which sold 212 dinners to raise money for the company.
When she was unable to think of anything else kind to do, her fiancé, James Tarbay, helped her come up with a few ideas.
Errigo said her favorite act was taking donuts to the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging Meals on Wheels workers at their meal production facility in Curwensville.
“None of them knew who I was,” she explained so it was “a nice surprise.”
She also surprised the drivers of the ATA busses.
“I tried to think of where there were people who don’t always get a thank you.”
Unfortunately, this particular act got off to a bad start.
She was unable to go to their garage because of COVID-19 restrictions and ended up just getting on the busses.
“When I got on the first bus (and offered a donut), the driver said he couldn’t take it because he is diabetic.”
The driver of the second bus was much happier to see her and took a donut without a problem.
Making an extra effort to help others is something she recommends.
“I am always telling the students to ‘be kind’ and you have to practice what you preach,” she said.
Giving doesn’t have to be expensive or cost anything but your time.
“No matter how small, if it makes someone’s day, it is worthwhile.”
During her mission in May, a random person sent her $10 because of what she was doing, proving that “if you give, it comes back to you.”
Errigo and Tarbay have been giving for two years with their Pouches of Positivity group that provides care packages of crossword puzzle/Sudoku/coloring books, notepads/journals, stress balls, snacks and other items to Cystic Fibrosis patients in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.
Currently they are at a standstill because of the hospital’s no visitors policy due to the virus. She is hoping to get back to that effort soon.
Meanwhile she is planning a parade with fire trucks for the nursing homes and housing for the elderly on Leonard Street.
“We all need something positive in these dark times,” she said.