#SomeGoodNews: Westwood Teen Thanks Frontline Workers

In an Islington driveway, a minivan faces the street sporting a colorful sign thanking frontline workers. The sign is the work of thirteen-year-old Natalie Hoge. “She was inspired by the Youtube channel SGN "Some Good News" with John Krasinski. When we feel overwhelmed by this pandemic, this show has helps us to see past the fear and confusion and highlights all the hope and kindness there is during this challenging time,” explains Natalie’s mother, Melissa.

Natalie and Melissa report that they have seen people working hard to support each other during the COVID-19 pandemic and Natalie wanted to find a way to show their gratitude. “Natalie decided on making a sign thanking everyone, including those who have been helping us directly, like our mail carrier, those delivering groceries, UPS...As she thought about who she wanted to thank, the list grew longer and longer. She made the sign by hand and it took her a little over seven hours. We wanted to put it out in our yard, but the weather has been rainy and very windy so we decided to post it in our van window where we hoped everyone passing by could see,” says Melissa.

“Once we placed the sign in the window we thought of a group we had forgotten, but wanted to include which was all mental healthcare providers. We know that while people are struggling on physical and financial levels, we want to acknowledge those who help individuals who struggle with all different types of anxiety and mental health issues. If it weren't for them, many people would be suffering and struggling on their own, in silence,” she adds.

When asked if they have the sign up when the van leaves their driveway, Melissa notes that they haven’t needed to use the van. They leave the van parked in their driveway with the sign facing their street.

Natalie is in her sixth year of being homeschooled. Her family, including her two brothers, moved to Westwood three years ago. “We feel very blessed to be healthy and to live in a place where people care so much about each other,” says Melissa.

Melissa finished our discussion by mentioning her admiration for Fred Rogers’ emphasis on kindness. Natalie recalled Rogers’ quote “My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.”

“We want to thank all of these helpers we mentioned [on Natalie’s sign] for giving us HOPE,” Melissa and Natalie conclude.

Author and Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg recently tweeted “ People love to quote Mr. Rogers saying during a crisis, look for the helpers. But he was talking to children. The implication is that we, the grownups with any capacity, need to *be* the helpers. That’s going to look different in this crisis, but look for ways to help.”

Natalie thanked the helpers though her sign; however, by bringing cheer and gratitude to her neighborhood through the sign, she is also a helper. If you want to thank Natalie for doing this act, why not use one of the share buttons on the left of this page to share this article? Maybe her sign will catch “Some Good News” attention.