Life
Welfare check on 95-year-old makes cops realize he needs help
The vulnerable senior citizen wasn't expecting this kind of visit from the local police.
Marilyn Caylor
04.04.20

“It started as a welfare check and ended with spirits being raised for all.”

The pandemic that’s been spreading all over the world has now wreaked havoc that goes beyond the loss jobs and loved ones.

It’s single-handedly forced the entire planet into a #lockdown, and made words like “social distancing” a part of our normal, everyday vernacular.

Yet, just when it feels like we’ve been nailed to the cross by something beyond our control, a beacon of light shines through to restore our hope.

And that beacon of light can be found in a shopping cart full of our own dang amazing humanity!

Facebook/San Diego Police Department
Source:
Facebook/San Diego Police Department

By now you know that experts have warned everyone to stay home. That warning is even more dire for the elderly, who are are especially at risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19.

So, it goes without saying that our parents and grandparents are understandably frightened about leaving their homes!

But, where does that leave this hungry 95-year-old man, who couldn’t go outside and was running short on supplies? Thankfully, he didn’t have to wait long to find out that answer!

Facebook/San Diego Police Department
Source:
Facebook/San Diego Police Department

This uplifting tale of community friendship started when some officers from the San Diego Police Department conspired to help out a vulnerable senior citizen who was living by himself.

The man’s fridge and shelves were getting bare, but he couldn’t very well go outside!

Since calls to dispatchers had decreased by 11 percent after California’s “stay at home” order went into effect, that meant these police officers had plenty of time to do some shopping the widower, known only as “Mr. Teo.”

Facebook/San Diego Police Department
Source:
Facebook/San Diego Police Department

The police department posted footage of this very special shopping trip to remind everyone how we win at this game:

“Southern Division’s Sgt Holslag & his team saw a need, filled it & even partnered with Golden House restaurant on Palm Ave! This is how we win.”

In the heartwarming video, officers can be seen pushing a cart from one aisle to the next. They get lucky, and are able to find highly prized essentials like bread, toilet paper, milk, and canned peaches!

Facebook/San Diego Police Department
Source:
Facebook/San Diego Police Department

Unfortunately, there will always be bad seeds that pop up during any crisis. Like the profiteers who tried to sell 4-packs of toilet paper on eBay for $50, when it normally only costs a few dollars.

Or those two douchebag brothers, Matt and Noah Colvin, who pretty much cleaned out all of Tennessee and Kentucky of hand sanitizers when they went on a road trip and snapped up 17,700 bottles of the stuff.

Yet, for every person that tries to make a few bucks off of our fears, there’s tens of thousands more who go out of their way to be totally selfless!

Like these fine officers in blue.

Facebook/San Diego Police Department
Source:
Facebook/San Diego Police Department

After the officers left the grocery store, they made a pit stop at the Golden House restaurant to pick up some Chinese take-out for Mr. Teo.

Employees here can be seen wearing masks and gloves for everyone’s protection.

Facebook/San Diego Police Department
Source:
Facebook/San Diego Police Department

After they arrived at Mr. Teo’s home to make the special delivery, one officer can be heard saying, “Chicken and vegetables, that’s a lot.”

But, chicken and vegetables is good for staying healthy!

And so is having a community of loving people as your ally. Loneliness and isolation can be even deadlier than the virus, especially during these trying times.

Facebook/San Diego Police Department
Source:
Facebook/San Diego Police Department

Once you look past all the fear and negativity that’s being portrayed in the media, it quickly becomes apparent that there’s something amazing beginning to rise up out of all the chaos – our humanity!

The actions of these fine officers serve to remind us how kindness is a super power. It can help take the stank out of our collective fans whenever the universe hurls a big wad of crapola at it!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.




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