MEQUON — With people staying home, local teenagers are picking up grocery and pharmacy orders for neighbors.
Ethan Kelly is a high school senior in Mequon who plays sports and enjoys volunteering. He is one of the countless teenagers adjusting to online learning from home during the coronavirus pandemic.
"Definitely learned you never know what might happen," said Ethan.
Ethan is also one of more than 200 volunteers with the newly formed group Mequon Teens Against COVID-19.
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Partnering with specific Sendik's stores and some pharmacies in Mequon, Germantown, and Grafton, they deliver pick up orders for free, helping those who cannot leave home.
People like Bob Smole.
"Makes me feel wonderful and brings out something that we have not seen, unfortunately," said Bob. "I have never seen anything like this in my life, and I'm getting to be an old-timer."
"It's community-based. Can we do it for a neighbor is basically what it comes down to," said Joe Kelly, Ethan's dad and the person who jumpstarted the group.
"There's a strict protocol on how they do it, so it's probably better for them to do it than others out in the community," Joe.
Joe explained he wanted to help others and give teenagers like his son a way to give back, a different perspective on a global situation that has upended daily life.
The teens are trained to follow safety guidelines handling orders. They pick up sanitizer kits daily.
Customers submit requests on the group's website. Once deliveries are done, you get a phone call.
Volunteers do this all while maintaining social distancing.
Ethan's dad may have nudged him to join the effort, but this high school senior is happy to jump in.
"I'm not the only one that matters, right? I live in my Mequon bubble with all my friends, and I feel like a lot of people take that for granted, and I want to give back to people who need help," said Ethan.
The group is working with organizations across southeast Wisconsin to makes trips between 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. daily.
Click on the following link to learn more or sign up Mequon Teens Against COVID-19.