In the early days of the pandemic, I got a tip from Leadership Rhode Island, to begin virtual meetings with an uplifting music video. It has served me well. It covers the awkward moments when people are signing on and gets everyone on the same page for the start of the event.

Earlier this week, looking for a video to start the Flagship Talk, I stumbled upon Times Like This featuring Darius Rucker. Do yourself a favor and take a moment to watch the video.

"In times like this we could all use an angel.

In times like this, in times like this.

In times like this we can all use somebody to help us get through it."

It’s my new favorite song. In times like this, the LAA Community rises and shines. The Food Collection Event we have planned for Saturday is living proof.

On Saturday the LAA Community will come together to collect food and other necessary items to help those in need this holiday season. From the first moment the idea sparked, LAA alumni and the community at large jumped onboard to support the effort.

• Susan Thomas (FLG21) and the Anne Arundel Food Bank will have a truck on-site accepting donations.
• Monica Alvarado (FLG09) and Feed Anne Arundel will be helping with the collection and accepting donations to feed families this Thanksgiving.
• The Greater Parole Community Association, Lon Powell (NLA19, FLG20), Beryle Downs (NLA20) and Sherry Hutton (NLA20) stepped up to host the event at Chambers Park.
• Liquified Creative donated the event graphics. Thanks to Shawn Noratel (FLG19), Caitlyn Wiggins (FLG20) and Chad Phillips (FLG21).
• Thanks to an introduction by Derek Matthews (FLG19), Chick-fil-A has more than 70 customers signed up to drop off donations and are donating 50 sandwiches to feed volunteers!
• Leigh Rand (FLG14) and Fast Signs are donating the signage.
• Rise Up Coffee is donating coffee for volunteers.
• Elaine Shanley (FLG14), Finance Forward, is lending her pop-up tent and table for the volunteer refreshment station.
• 27 LAA alumni volunteers are already registered to direct the flow of curb-side donations and collect, sort and load contributions.

There are loads of ways you can support the effort:

• Volunteer: A handful of volunteer spots remain open for the afternoon shift (12:00 – 2:30p). You can register to volunteer here.
• Donate Curb-side: You can swing by Chambers Park with a donation between 10:00a – 2:00p. Items in most need are listed here.
• Donate via Text: You can Text "AACFB49" to 71777 to donate – benefitting the Anne Arundel County Food Bank AND Feed Anne Arundel
• Share: You can share the call for donations with your network!
• Join us LIVE on Facebook at noon on Saturday, broadcasting from Chambers Park and sharing an update from the Anne Arundel County Food Bank and Feed Anne Arundel on the greatest need during the coming months of the COVID-19 crisis.

If you find yourself struggling with the relentlessness of the COVID crisis, lean into the LAA community. We are made for times like this.