[benj]

The sentiments expressed in this thread are exactly why I'm moving to tv, you people have either pulled the wool completely over my eyes, or tv really is Americas friendliest hometown.

Having said that, I thought there was a club or volunteer group os association called Helping Hands. Maybe I'm wrong but may I suggest VILLAGE ANGELS or ANGEL HANDS because if I were in need and had no one to help and someone volunteered their time and trouble to help out ,I would consider them an angel. Benj

[ConeyIsBabe]

Originally Posted by benj

The sentiments expressed in this thread are exactly why I'm moving to tv, you people have either pulled the wool completely over my eyes, or tv really is Americas friendliest hometown.
Benj

I agree with benj !

These overtures of compassion and kindness from TOTVers make the occasional silly bickering seem insignificant. I would feel honored to be a part of your project, whatever you call it !

[barb1191]

Then, possibly......"TOTV Helping Hands" ?

[chelsea24]

Great idea Barb! :bigthumbsup: I personally like the word "angels" but some might be put off by it, so TOTV Helping Hands gets right to the point! Love it! :#1:

[Sgt Mac]

If I can help put me on the list

If you saw all the very great people that line up to help each other in The Villages on Feb 07 you will know what great people are in The Villages after I saw that I know it was the spot that We was looking for

Yes We will Help Da Sgt

[swrinfla]

I doubt that there'd be any objection from them, but the Military Officers Association of America's (MOAA) chapter in Tampa has an Operation Helping Hands which supports the families of servicemen with brain and spine injuries from Afghanistan and Iraq.

I do think Helping Hands is a good name for our TOTV effort.

Here's an idea to float among your immediate neighbors, no matter where you are: Our cul-de-sac has a published directory of all residents, which includes an out-of-town relative or friend or other person to contact in case of dire emergency. I think that's particularly important for those who may not have family nearby!

SWR

[galady]

Please add my name to the list. We become "official" on Sept 12 and will be more than happy to help any of our new neighbors.

[redwitch]

Getting a list of names, villages and phone numbers and maybe even exactly how people can/are willing to help and days/dates they are available is a great idea. That way, it might be easier to coordinate who lives close to someone and who can best be contacted to help someone who needs it. If no one else wants to do it, I would be happy to make the list, keep it updated and forward it to whomever volunteers to be the "coordinator".

However a list is done, I would suggest NO personal data be posted here. The information should be sent via PMs. While we're a basically honest bunch, there are always a few lurkers who are not so honest at every public forum.

If Helping Hands can't be used, how about making it very specific -- "TOTV Helpers"?

[duffysmom]

Love the idea. Please add me to the list.

[Just Susan]

Okay so I am a bit of a nerd...so I did a little research and came up with this website which seems to support and even enhance the ideas espoused on this thread. I am so happy to be friends with such wonderful people.

Anyway if you explore this site, http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/ltc/home/ you may find, as I did that, Lotsa Helping Hands is Sam's idea on steriods...sorry too much Olympic influence...

To entice you I will quote a few comments that I read....

How It Works
What problems does Lotsa Helping Hands address?
Most of us have experienced the crisis of a friend or loved one suddenly unable to function as they had for their family or themselves. Perhaps it's a debilitating illness, or post-surgery rehabilitation necessitating weeks or months of bed rest.

In many instances of long-term family caregiving or caring for an aging loved one, those affected must also cope with finding support for meal preparation, grocery shopping, transportation for themselves and their dependent family members.

But it is often difficult for patients and family caregivers to ask for help. And if help is offered, managing that help can be a significant part-time job: coordinating family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and church or synagogue members who do not all know each other can be complex and time-consuming, with endless phone tag and forgotten commitments.

In addition, keeping these various ‘circles of community’ up-to-date on medical progress or family activity, or securely sharing vital medical, legal, or financial information with designated family members is often another source of anxiety and stress for the patient and family caregiver. Let your Lotsa Helping Hands community help build emotional and spiritual support as you face the many issues surrounding everyday caregiving.

What does Lotsa Helping Hands provide?
In literally minutes, a Coordinator can create, free-of-charge, a private and secure Lotsa Helping Hands web community, define volunteer activities using the supplied templates, and begin inviting members to the community. Through an intuitive interface that requires no training, volunteers can then easily view and sign up for any number of available tasks, review their current commitments, and be confident they won’t forget any assignments as the system automatically sends out email reminders of upcoming obligations.

Who should sign up and create the web site? What's a "Coordinator"?

The Coordinator is what we call the person who first takes the initiative to create the free-of-charge Lotsa Helping Hands community. This lead Coordinator then adds the initial members (and may even designate other members as additional Coordinators), helps define the volunteer activities, and has a few other privileges for customizing the community web site.

The website name could be TOTV Helping Hands...at least that is what I would vote for.

Just my input.

[samhass]

Do we need a list? I figured Tony would do a shout out saying " We need a meal delivered to the such and such area. To volunteer, contact Tony.
or
Heart patient needs ride from -------area to doc's office on Buena Vista. to volunteer, contact Tony

Making a list might get complicated since people snowbird etc. I think it may be easier if the person in need justs contacts TOTV and TOTV puts out a shout out to all of us. This does put a burden on TOTV. They may want to take volunteers to coordinate the hook-ups. Just an idea.

[samhass]

Susan and I must have posted at the same time. Great post Susan except Sam declines the coordinator part. I will cook, drive etc. Now you, my dear, are an organizer. I am an idea person. Paperwork is my Nemesis.

[redwitch]

Sam, that's why I was thinking a list. It could easly overwhelm the administrators (not that they have anything else to do). It's really not that hard to make one -- I've done a few for other websites (one with over a 1K members). It could have dates people are down here among other info. Might make it easier than shouting out to Tony. That way, someone could do a post asking for a little help and a few people could be contacted who live near that person or have the needed particular skill/vehicle and they could contact the one who asked.

Alternatively, someone could just post a shout out and others could just respond via pm but I'm afraid people will think others already responded and thus not respond even though they want to.

[Just Susan]

Red and others seriously check out the website I just posted,

here it is again.....
http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/ltc/home/

It is everything you are talking about already done.

Our website name could be TOTV Helping Hands...at least that is what I would vote for.

It pretty much manages itself once set up, and set up sounds easy.

[benj]

I think the simpler the better. Just like it started if you need a hand just hollar and anyone on totv who can help can pm them.
how about GOOD NEIGHBORS or GOOD HANDS. What ever its called people will need to know where to post to get results. Benj