Mike Schimanski said a good friend recently sent him an article through Facebook Messenger about how an Australian couple developed a system with their 92-year-old neighbor for her to signal if she needed anything during the ongoing pandemic.
Schimanski thought that could be a good system to use in his Palos Park neighborhood.
“It’s important because people have to think about those who can’t do for themselves or those who are ill or aged who shouldn’t be out in public to shop for groceries or anything else,” he said.
Experts warn that the elderly or those who are immune-compromised are most susceptible to the coronavirus.
Schimanski, homeowners’ association president for the Edelweiss in the Park neighborhood consisting of 122 town houses, said most of the residents are age 60 and over, but about a quarter are younger families.
To get the program started Schimanski purchased large green and red cards. The idea was that residents could display the green card in their front window of all was good and the red card if they needed assistance.
Schimanski distributed flyers and the cards to each of the town houses by placing the kit in mailboxes. Within a few hours he said his phone started ringing with people wanting to volunteer.
Nine volunteers are now assigned sections of the neighborhood to check if anyone switches their green card for a red one.
Palos Park police Chief Joe Miller the program is a good way to take care of other people. He said the program also lifts some of the burden from police officers.
“The program has been a great success and provides a sense of comfort and assurance to all their residents,” Miller said. “It helps us in that they are taking care of the seniors’ vulnerable needs in that area, so we can focus on others.”
Schimanski said if the resident needs medical assistance they should call 911 as instructed on the flyer.
But a red card would indicate if they need someone to shop for groceries for or perhaps complete a simple task, such as bringing the newspaper or mail to the front door, changing an outdoor porch light or moving the garbage container to or from the street.
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Schimanski said volunteers know to keep their social distance of at least 6 feet and can wear masks while helping.
He said he’s seeing more and more people wearing masks in and around Palos Park, especially at grocery stores or at the deli at Frangella Italian Market.
“I was surprised by how many people are wearing masks,” Schimanski said.
Schimanski said that while not many people wear a mask while walking or jogging outside he sees that they still maintain their social distance from others, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
He said the Good Neighbor program will continue until the pandemic ends.
Frank Vaisvilas is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.