Small business owner Michelle Tuplin had a problem.
She needed to move her independent bookstore to a larger space down the street. But packing and unpacking all the books using a traditional moving company would require the store to close for at least several days. That would hurt both her business and its patrons.
So Tuplin came up with a unique idea.
She put out a call to her community for volunteers to help with the move, and the response she got was incredible. The residents of Chelsea, Michigan rose to the challenge and then some.
Over THREE HUNDRED locals formed two human chains on the sidewalk to bridge the 350-foot gap between the old store and new location. They passed the books one at a time (in alphabetical order!) down the street and around the block.
In only two hours, volunteers moved 9,100 books and hundreds of additional boxes to her new storefront. Families with children stood next to retired folks who stood next to teachers and other locals.
One volunteer reflected that “it was just a joyful experience.” As they passed the books down the line, neighbors and strangers alike connected over which books they’d already read and others that looked interesting.
Fostering community engagement and a love of books. It’s what independent bookstores do every day. But on this particular day, Chelsea residents were thrilled to return the favor by supporting one of their own.
Wide communal efforts like this might seem unusual in our often-disconnected, modern world, but not to the Amish community.
When an Amish family needs a new barn, the men and women in their community provide the collective labor to build it – usually in a single day. Participating in the barn-raising isn’t optional; you don’t just pitch in if you have nothing else to do that day. If you’re a member of the community, you’re expected to help.
Amish neighbors don’t view the obligation as a punishment or burden. Instead, the long-standing tradition is a community event that celebrates connection with others in the group – all while doing an essential task. You help someone else today and they’ll help you tomorrow. It’s how things get done.
When someone in our close circle is in need, we drop everything to help.
Eighteen months ago, out of the blue, I suffered a retinal detachment in one eye. Without immediate medical attention, I risked losing my sight. It was scary.
My husband was out of town, so what we affectionately call “the village” of my extended family jumped into action. My sister dropped everything at work to drive me to the retina specialist and stayed with me overnight after the first surgery. As complications arose during the next month, my husband and others got me to follow up doctor’s appointments. I couldn’t see to drive for several weeks, so anything I needed outside my house, someone else got for me.
Full recovery took a few more procedures over several months. I was fortunate to have an army of family members willing to help whenever I needed it. It’s what we do for family.
But would we do the same for an acquaintance or a stranger? I’d like to think most of us would if asked, but the challenges of life sometimes get in the way.
On a recent road trip with two 80-something family members with mobility challenges, our rental car’s back tire started losing pressure. We pulled off at the next exit looking for a gas station with air. Unfortunately, a big nail in the tire was causing the air to leak out quickly. Just adding air wasn’t going to fix it.
The car didn’t have a spare (who knew?!?). The rental car company sent a tow truck to get the disabled rental car, but because we were nearly 60 miles from the nearest town, we couldn’t any Uber or Lyft willing to come get us, for any amount of money. The rental car company had no one they could send.
As relieved as we were to be at an unairconditioned gas station instead of on the side of the highway, we were hot, tired, frustrated…and stranded.
Finally, I tracked down an independent car service guy named Daniel in a town 40 miles away who was willing to come to the middle of nowhere to get us. He knew exactly where we were and came immediately. Then he drove us 60 miles to our destination, even though that meant a long return drive back home. His car was worn, but he was down-to-earth and kind. And he took great care to get us where we needed to go. He helped with our luggage and two walkers and anything else we needed. We were grateful.
Of course we paid him for his services, but we had offered to pay others as well. No one else would come. Daniel didn’t know us but came anyway, which apparently, he does a lot for people who get stuck in the middle of nowhere. Sure, it’s good money for him, but he also missed time with his family that evening to help us.
Many thanks, Daniel, for stepping up when we needed you most.
Look around. Pay attention. Even if it means taking time you don’t have or getting creative with how you do it, will you rise to the occasion where you’re needed?
(Photo credit Burrill Strong)
