Share your stories of local good deeds

Acts of kindness help neighbors deal with coronavirus

We’re looking for “good news” stories from communities about acts of kindness and caring in the wake of the coronavirus crisis in Montgomery County.

If you are, or if you know of a neighbor, who is doing something to help others through these difficult times, let us know. We’re compiling a list of the good things people are doing to help their neighbors and local businesses as we all work to get through this crisis. Send your stories to citydesk@thereporteronline. com or post on “The North Penn Reporter” on Facebook.

Reader Donna Hensley of Hatfield submitted the following about her son-in-law Ken Ferry:

“On his way home from work he stopped at BJs for the Coronavirus essentials (not toilet paper), waited for a cart, fought his way through the many, many desperate shoppers only to find a line wrapped around the store, literally.

“After purchasing his items, as he was going to his car, a woman asked him if the store still had water. As usual Ken being the social butterfly he is got to talking to her and came to find out she had just come from visiting her son who has cancer at CHOP.

“He didn’t want her to have to wait all that time just for water, so he gave her all the water in his cart!!!

He also gave her his number and told her if she needed anything else to just call him and he would pick it up and deliver it to her so she wouldn’t have to brave the stores.”

•••

Mike Schatz, a private driver based in Montgomery Township, said his business has slowed down since last week’s closures and quarantines, but he’s helped fill the gap by doing good deeds for those who can’t get around.

“I have one client who’s homebound, and she doesn’t get out unless somebody’s there. She called me and said ‘Hey, I know you live near Trader Joe’s,’ and she needs gluten-free food, so I went and got what she needed,” Schatz said.

Another local family had to cut a trip to Florida short due to travel restrictions, and Schatz said he was able to pick them up from Allentown’s airport and bring them back to the North Penn area when ride sharing services couldn’t.

Since the quarantines and shutdowns started,

Schatz said, he’s had about 80 percent of his previously scheduled appointments for drives to airports in Philadelphia, New York and Newark postponed or rescheduled. So, anyone in Montgomery Township, North Wales or Chalfont who can’t travel or needs help with a trip to a drug store, grocery store, or other errand can call or text him at 267245-4047 to make arrangements.

“It’s just my mindset. This is the way I was raised, you just do things for neighbors. If I can help somebody, that’s great,” he said.