CareCalendar to Help Family and Friends in Need
This Online Calendar is a Timesaver when Trying to Assist Others
May 3, 2009
The CareCalendar was created by Dave Bortel after his wife came home from the hospital following surgery. He needed help to feed their nine children and to care for his wife. Unfortunately, it was time-consuming to ask others for help and then organize the help they offered. He set up the CareCalendar to make it easier to coordinate.
What to Expect from CareCalendar
This online calendar is designed to be "self-service" for individuals and non-profit institutions. This free service can help coordinate meals, housework, yardwork, childcare, transportation, visitation, and many other needs. It can be used short term, such as after the birth of a baby, or long term, as in the case of providing homebound care.
How Do You Use It?
A CareCalendar Coordinator sets up the calendar and needs through the website. Easy to use tools allow the coordinator to enter personalized requirements such as meals, rides to medical appointments or help getting family members to activities. Helpers are requested to register on the site. Each calendar is password protected for privacy and can only be viewed by users entering the correct information.
What Other Features Does CareCalendar Offer?
- Through the Gift Shop, users can send professionally printed greeting cards for occasions such as a new baby, get well, sympathy, thinking of you or birthday. Enter credit card information and the intended recipient's information. A handwritten message with a hand-addressed stamped envelope will be sent.
- Gift cards may be purchased through the Gift Shop as well. Gift cards for national chains such as Blockbuster Video, Bed Bath and Beyond and Dominoes Pizza are available. Merry Maid gift cards can be purchased for housecleaning services.
- Automated e-mail notifications are sent out to remind helpers of the need they have agreed to fill.
- News and Updates pages allow anyone with a password to give an update such as the birth of a child or progress during an illness. Photos can be uploaded too.
Whether you use the computer, or prefer to organize helpers through more traditional methods such as phone calls or word of mouth, follow these tips for helping someone in need:
- Appoint one person as "the coordinator" who will be in contact with the family to find out their specific needs.
- If you are preparing meals, ask if there are any food allergies or food sensitivities in the family.
- Use disposable containers when bringing food. If possible, include recipes, or at least ingredients, of the prepared dishes
- Don't forget about chores, especially outdoor jobs, that the family may need help with. Take the trashcan to the curb or bring the mail to the door. Offer to mow or shovel for a family going through a difficult time.
- Send a personal note to let the family know you are thinking of them.
Whether you decide to use an online tool such as CareCalendar, or if you simply make some phone calls, families in need will be appreciative of your efforts.
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