Residents Open Hearts, Homes in Boston and Beyond

In Boston, opening your heart has become akin to opening your front door.

For many Boston residents, and those in surrounding neighborhoods and towns, finding a way to help the victims, spectators or families affected or displaced by the Boston Marathon bombings starts with their own home. 

Thousands of people used a Google document, neighbor website or otherwise listed their names and contact information to offer housing, meals, rides and more to those needing assistance following the April 15 tragedy. 

Bill Davenport of Sudbury offered on the Google doc to “drive to pick up… a few people.” Zack Held of South Boston said, “Have couches, air mattress that people can use.” Joshua of Newton offered his house, near Heartbreak Hill, including a “guest room with double bed, can pick you up.” 

For MIT graduate student Holly Jeffrey, offering an air mattress and floor space in her Brookline Avenue apartment in the Fenway neighborhood seemed like the right — and possibly only — thing she could immediately do to help those without a place to stay following the marathon.

Once she and her rommate’s house guests in town for the marathon left today, she listed their apartment on the Google document, joining thousands of people who offered living space, a shower, a ride or a warm meal since Monday.

“I wish there was more that we could do help,” Jeffrey said. “It’s the only thing available right now. We have a relatively big apartment, extra space, an air mattress.”

While she has not been taken up on her offer for shelter, Jeffrey said she hopes everyone who needed it was able to find a place to stay. She also helps to find other ways to help those affected by the bombings.

For Sarah Smith of Brookline, offering use of two double beds and a single bed in her Bowker Street home was a way to help people who shouldn’t be alone at a time like this, she said.

“Them bad apples should not make the barrel taste bad — most people are good,” Smith said. “The best thing the rest of can do is act as good as we can.”

She listed her home as available on neighborsforneighbors.org, which had 754 offers of housing as of Tuesday afternoon. 

Smith and her husband have taken in those affected by tragedy before. Following 9/11, a friend of a friend was stuck in Boston without luggage, money or a place to go. The Smiths ended up housing for a week — and forging a lasting friendship with — the person.

Like Jeffrey, Smith has also not received word from anyone needing to take her up on her housing offer. But, she hopes to connect with groups offering housing for victims or their families who may need longer-term medical treatment at area hospitals. 

“It’s a good thing to do, you meet people,” Smith said. “We have room and people shouldn’t be alone.”