Waupaca neighbors sharing their stories
By Angie Landsverk
The Great Neighbor Shout-Out was just about to begin last March when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Members of Waupaca’s Social Connectedness Committee were getting ready to place nomination forms throughout the area.
A dinner to recognize those who were nominated and their neighbors who nominated them was planned for June.
The pandemic changed parts of the plan.
But it did not stop people from nominating their neighbors for the recognition, and there is still time to do so.
“With the Thanksgiving holiday, part of the idea is being thankful for the things in our lives. We’d like people to think about the people who live near them in their neighborhood – people who make them feel safe, welcome and connected,” said Patsy Servey.
She is a member of the Social Connectedness Committee.
The committee formed last year after Waupaca’s Community Health Action Team (CHAT) sponsored a day of learning about how isolation and loneliness affect mental health.
ThedaCare’s CHAT brings together community members who study local health issues and talk about solutions.
A year ago, the committee sponsored a community read on the topic to build awareness.
Neighborhood development is the next phase.
The Great Neighbor Shout-Out launched that effort in the Waupaca area.
Shared stories
“We did get some lovely stories,” said Julie Filapek, the Neighborhood Partners program leader.
Neighborhood Partners is a program of Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin in Menasha.
“Some of the recognitions that have come in have been very covid-related,” said Sue Heideman, who is also part of the committee.
They are stories about how to connect with one another, she said.
Ron Wedell’s story is one of them.
He and his wife Yvonne live in rural Waupaca.
Wedell nominated their neighbors, Martin and Lynn Bonack, for the recognition.
“They’re very nice people,” Wedell said.
Shortly after the pandemic started, “my neighbor called up and asked if we needed anything from the store,” Wedell said.
The Bonacks offered to pick up groceries for the Wedells.
The couple did get grocery items for them.
“They would wipe everything down,” Wedell said.
He said their neighbors put everything in clear bags and then placed the bags on his front porch.
“We’d talk,” Wedell said.
After the Bonacks left from outside the front porch, the Wedells picked up the bags of groceries and took them inside their home.
They in turn left money in an envelope to pay for the groceries their neighbors bought for them.
Wedell said their neighbors did this for at least two months.
“They helped us out a lot,” he said.
Wedell and his wife are retired.
They have not seen their daughter and her family, who live in Wautoma, since around last January.
“We’d usually see them every other month,” Wedell said. “We talk on the phone.”
Waupaca’s Social Connectedness Committee is encouraging others to nominate their neighbors for recognition.
Filapek said postcards were mailed to about 570 households.
People may visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/WaupacaGNSO to nominate a neighbor.
Those who are nominated will receive a note of appreciation.
Servey said another part of their effort is encouraging people to reach out to someone in need with kindness.
That may be challenging during the pandemic, but there are ways to connect safely with neighbors, she said.
Ideas for being a good neighbor
• Give a neighbor a coffee cup with some tea, coffee or can of soup.
• Share a Waupaca welcome guide with a neighbor who is new to the community.
• Drop off a note of introduction that includes ones cellphone number in case the neighbor needs something, and follow up a few weeks later.
• Depending on the comfort level and weather, invite the neighbor over for an outdoor cookout or beverage.
• Invite them to a community chat room or Facebook group.
• Ask the neighbor for a favor.
• Introduce oneself with a pet.