Mary McNaughton

How did you hear about the Windsor-area COVID-19 response team?

I heard about the Windsor-Area COVID -19 response team from multiple places: Facebook, an email from Jill Lord, and the town newsletter. I wanted to get involved because I’ve done quite a bit of volunteering activities over the years in different capacities and felt this was a way to help.

I’m the coordinator for the Windsor Community Dinners that take place every Wednesday from September through Mid- June at the American Legion. This is a community event that was initiated by Old South Church in 2008 in response to food insecurities during the recession. I’ve been the coordinator for about three years now. It has evolved into a wonderful event in which everyone, hopefully, feels welcomed and has the opportunity to build personal relationships with their community and neighbors—no matter their age, background or beliefs. This event is hosted each week by Windsor civic groups, faith communities, and local businesses.

What are your volunteer activities with the response team?

I’ve helped out with the Reading Blood Drive that was done at Holiday Inn at Ascutney in March, participated in Veggie Van Go this month and will do so again in May. I’m giving some time to the Windsor Food Shelf at Trinity Church when they need some help. I’m also part of the COVID- 19 Food Task Force committee which meets (a Zoom-type meeting) to discuss the food insecurities that folks in our community may be experiencing and discuss ways to offset it. I’m quite passionate about issues regarding food insecurities.

How is it going?

I’m impressed with how the process for volunteers through Lori Rogers has been made so easy. We initially receive an e-mail from Lori, informing us of the help that’s needed and then we respond by letting her know what we’re able to do. There’s no pressure to do any one thing, and it amazes me how the slots for help always seem to get filled. It’s been wonderful meeting new people that I otherwise would not have come in contact with. The volunteers are friendly and helpful.

How long have you lived in Windsor?

I’m originally from Massachusetts and my husband is from New Orleans. We came here in 1986 for a business opportunity for my husband at the time. I’m an LPN by trade and enjoyed working in many different nursing settings while raising our two boys. Windsor is a wonderful place to raise a family. Windsor is a community of people who are always willing to help each other out. I love that about this place!

What helps you cope during the pandemic?

I enjoy my usual workout of walking five miles four times a week. I’ve noticed that some weeks this has increased as it’s a great free way to deal with stress and anxiety. It keeps me sane! I’ve been an avid reader all my life, and I love listening to music every day. My recent new activity for the last couple of years has been finding new podcasts to listen and learn from. I especially like podcasts about history, TV shows I follow, and new book recommendations.

All of these activities combined lift my spirits, but some of the random interactions I’ve had with strangers while out walking have been the most surprising to me. It shows how much humans crave interaction with others. Being able to continue seeing and communicating with my church family at Old South Church through Zoom has been wonderful and uplifting!

It's important to me to feel useful and have a purpose. That purpose is to do my part in actively participating in my community, looking out and lending a hand to my neighbors!