Stay Connected With Your Neighbors Through Virtual Events

As we work to stay safe and healthy in the midst of the new coronavirus outbreak, our busy lifestyles and daily schedules have been completely upended. We know that many people across the country are at home with their families and are looking for entertainment, educational activities for children and ways to keep busy.

Here at Patch, our mission is to keep you connected with your neighbors — and these uncertain times are no exception. That's why we're inviting neighbors and business owners to post their "virtual events" on Patch, free of charge.

Click here to post your virtual event on Patch.

With many of us confined to our homes, digital gatherings can play a key role in keeping loved ones, neighbors and entire communities together, and Patch wants to help our neighbors share that support and camaraderie with their towns.

Here are a few different ways you can spread the word about your virtual events — all from the safety of your own home:

Clubs and Groups

Do you belong to a book club that meets in person each month? The good news is, you don't have to cancel. Extend the invite to your neighbors and community members, and hold a virtual version of the discussion. Hoping to start a new group about your favorite hobby? Create an event on Patch to find neighbors with similar interests in your area, and hold the meetup online.

Fitness Classes

If you're used to attending workout classes, then working out at home by yourself isn't ideal. But there's a good chance your local gym or studio is holding an online session. Get the word out about your yoga or spin studio's next class. Instructors and trainers can hold the class as they normally would — except they'll be doing the workout virtually so people at home can follow along.

Lessons and Tutoring Sessions

With children out of school or doing online classes at home, parents might need extra help with their children's schoolwork. Tutors and teachers can lend their expertise virtually to children needing extra guidance. Music teachers, dance teachers and others can also hold virtual classes, so kids can continue practicing their skills. The Philadelphia Zoo just started hosting an educational series on Facebook Live so “visitors” can ask questions and see their favorite animals right from their computers.

Musical Performances

If you're a local singer or musician, now's the perfect time to show off your skills. Create an event for a virtual concert in your community and spread the word on Patch. We've seen local theaters and music halls streaming their live performances online to offer a little entertainment for families at home.

Local Businesses

We know these are trying times for small businesses. By hosting virtual events, business owners can stay connected to their customers while building trust and brand loyalty in their towns. Restaurant owners can stream themselves cooking their favorite recipes for people at home. Local painting studios can hold virtual paint nights for their community, and pet shelters can show off their furry friends online.

Not only is it super easy to share your virtual events with your neighbors, it's also free! All you have to do is create your account and get posting.

When creating your virtual event, you'll want to include the date, the time and a description of your event. And don't forget to link to your meeting platform. Here are a few options that we recommend:

• Google Hangouts
• Zoom
• Skype
• YouTube
• Instagram Live
• Facebook Live

Click here to post your virtual event on Patch.

Having trouble posting, or want to know more? Here's more detailed information about how to post your virtual event on Patch, from creating an account to uploading photos and listing event details.

If you have any questions, you can reach out to us at support@patch.com.

We hope that you and your family have been staying safe during this time. As always, we urge all of our users to follow suggestions for keeping yourself healthy, including advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on protecting yourself and your loved ones from the new coronavirus.