PHOENIX — Arizonans have been under stay-at-home orders for several weeks to protect the most vulnerable people from COVID-19. Being inside and staying isolated is not preventing people from sending love to others through uncertain times.
Just shoot a 15-second video of your greetings to one another – whether it's "happy birthday," "congrats on your wedding," or even just "I miss you" – and post them on your social media. We also want to feature people paying it forward, so send us those too.
You can also send your #SendTheLove video greetings to connect@12news.com.
#SendTheLove feed:
One family got creative to introduce their newborn to the family.
A great horned owl nest with three babies is bringing smiles throughout a Mesa neighborhood. Ronna Goodmansen said the nest is in her front yard on North Forest Circle and she put a sign up inviting the neighborhood to visit. She said many children in the neighborhood keep checking in on the family to see how the babies are growing.
Owl nest with babies delight neighborhood kids
Kerri Felix and co-workers at Morning Star Senior Living found a way to keep smiling at the men and women they care for even though they are required to wear masks throughout their shifts. They had wearable pins with their smiling faces made to wear while working.
Debbie Pameticky is using pen and paper to send love to others. She said she is sending out 'thinking of you' cards and is even enclosing some inspirational stickers for older folks and toy stickers for the younger ones. She said she is sending it forward rather than paying it forward.
Eryn Rowley Watson wanted to thank Chandler police for helping make her 10-year-old boy's birthday one to remember.
Wendy Elyse shared video of her neighbors sending love to the whole community by playing "God Bless America" nightly.
Chuck Paulausky shared a photo of a gift he received from a neighbor. He said he is sheltering at home due to having a weakened immune system from chemotherapy.
A few weeks ago he shared some 'Cuties' mandarin oranges with some neighbors and the little girl who lives next door left him a drawing to say thanks.
Gilbert Fire Rescue wanted to send the love and say thank you to their amazing administrative professionals.
The Rotary Club of Anthem is sending love by helping others. With the help of a $1,300 grant from Rotary District 5495, they provided more than $5,000 in assistance to help homeless youth with food, clothing and school supplies. They are also taking $20,000 from a rainy day fund to help the community food banks for families who need some help right now.
Tamee Niekamp shared a video of a drive-by dance flash mob her daughter, Lexe, put together. Lexe owns Lessons by Lexe, a dance studio in Prescott. Mom said Lexe did this to keep dance alive and to give the gift of dance to others.
Millie Wagner shared a video of her yard filled with colorful spinners. She said the colors and spinning is a happy sight to look out and see on breezy days in Scottsdale.
Merrill Peters said when she talked to her friend who is a respiratory therapist at Banner ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic she was moved to find a way to thank her friend and everyone working in the Banner ICU.
Peters decided to provide 150 meals to both day and night shifts in the unit at three different hospitals. She said in her 45 years calling Phoenix home, she has been a patient in all three of those units. She said she bought the food from three locally-owned restaurants struggling to stay open. Peters is also single and retired on a limited income.
Lauren Rogers and her family wanted to send the love to front-line workers.
Lauren Berger and her daughter love to hike and on a recent hike, the 6-year-old said she wanted to do something nice for the people missing friends and family. She decided to paint rocks to leave on the trails to make people smile. So far, the mother and daughter duo have painted more than 200 rocks.
Jane Crawford wanted to send the love to her friend and former teaching colleague, Tia Jones, who is a baker extraordinaire. Crawford said she creates works of art for her business T. and Cookies in Mesa.
The Adkins family shared a photo of some happy kids thanks to a stop from Kona Ice Cream outside their house. Audrina and sister Giuliana enjoyed the sweet treat and Mom said she is thankful Kona is keeping children happy during this trying time.
Ellen Owens Karcsay shared a video of her neighborhood playing physical distancing Bingo. Ellen said she called the numbers and rode the bicycle and Jyll Harthun recorded the fun and out the video together.
Edie Harros Parsons wanted to send some love to the person who shopped for and delivered her groceries. Parson's said she placed her order through Fry's on Ray Road. Her shopper was Tanisha S. The store was out of flour on the shelves but Tanisha made sure Parsons got her flour. Parsons said she was so impressed with Tanisha's communication while shopping, she left a note with an extra tip for Tanisha when she dropped off the groceries. When Tanisha checked her ID she told Parsons she stopped at two other stores on the way to check for flour with no luck. Parsons said a few hours later there was a knock on her door and when she looked she found a bag of flour with a note from Tanisha.
Dairan Adakai is from Flagstaff but currently serving in the military. He can't be at home right now but he still wanted to take part in an honor dance. He said his regalia is at home but that didn't stop him.
Andy Berg shared this photo of a small salute to the health heroes working the front lines.
Lloyd Ferguson shared a photo to encourage people to be strong so we can beat the virus.
R.J. Everitt shared a photo of his completed quarantine project to thank essential workers. He added we will get through this #together.
Janina Marchbanks wanted to send some love to her friend who she said is doing something special in Flagstaff. Bridgett Linn is a military veteran who is making posters of appreciation to take to the Flagstaff Medical Center.
Elisa in Kingman is working hard to make masks for people who need them most. She has donated masks to health care workers and now she is making some for the Navajo Nation. She is also making tutorials on how to make masks so other sewers can help out too.
Rachel Leland works at American Leadership Academy's Ironwood Elementary campus in San Tan. She shared a video her campus created to show their students how loved and missed they are.
Ashley Lisher shared a photo of a poster her 7-year-old daughter, Jaida, created to hang outside their North Phoenix home.
