Organizing help for a friend is nothing new.  Survival of the human race has depended upon it nearly from the beginning.  But times have changed, and word-of-mouth, in person, at the grocery, on the sidewalk or over the fence just doesn't happen much anymore.  Our dearest aren't always nearest anymore, either.  Life seems much more hectic than it did before cell phones and email and all the other bits of technology became a way of life.  But thankfully, technology is part of what does bring us together when a friend faces a life-changing event.  These days we text and email and call to inform, encourage and inquire.  That's a big part of how WhatFriendsDo.com got started a few years ago.  We wanted one comprehensive go-to resource for friends to gather to provide support, but also to learn how to be better friends in time of need.  For some people, saying and doing just the right thing comes naturally, but for others it is harder, and a point in the right direction is helpful to all concerned.  

We are often asked to speak to organizations about the WhatFriendsDo.com website, and when we do, we tell the story of Laura, and how the website got started.  We tell about the stories we have received telling us how the site has helped them and their loved ones through a difficult time.  We explain how a site is set up, and how after the initial round of phone calls to closest family and friends, it is so nice to be able to communicate with a single blog posting to relay information, and to know that the first-hand information won't get confused as the news ripples out.  We explain the team concept:  how the website can bring together neighbors, colleagues, church family, relatives, classmates, and friends near and far, and how much that means to the friend confronted with tremendous challenges.  Just like a sports team, a WhatFriendsDo team is comprised of friends with different talents, schedules and purposes.  Some friends are able to provide meals; others can provide childcare.  Some would be glad to weed the flowerbeds, run errands, or be a good listener.  Everyone can find a way to contribute, even from a distance, using the Help Schedule, What Friends Need to Know, and Cheer suggestions.  

For anyone not necessarily a part of a team at the moment, WhatFriendsDo has lots of resources, too.  Have you ever struggled to come up with a way to make contact with a long lost friend, or an idea to cheer up a friend?  If you have a friend who has just been hospitalized, had a new baby, moved, or lost a loved one, WhatFriendsDo has daily - yes, daily! - suggestions for ways to get in touch and stay in touch.  Some of the ideas are very practical, but many are just plain fun ways to brighten someone's day.  Here's a sampling of upcoming cheer dates:  

  September 20 - National Women's Friendship Day
  September 22 - Elephant Appreciation Day
  September 24 - Write a Note Day
  September 27 - No More Dirty Laundry Day
  September 29 - Curbstone Setter Day
 
In addition to the daily ideas, we have an entire page (updated each month!) with activities for groups to do to help make life easier for their friend in need.  In October we'll give you great ideas like Reverse Trick-or-Treating, Pumpkin Parties, Leave it to the Friends, and more!  

Over the years we have seen times when some friends try to "do it all" single-handedly, and others back off, drift away, and don't know how they can be involved and support their friend, too.  We've also seen friends facing a life-changing event who are resistant to accepting any help, and we've even worn those shoes a time or two ourselves.  Through all of this, we've learned that "going it alone" just isn't worth it.  Whether a situation is joyous or filled with the worst sadness and pain imaginable, having friends share in the journey makes a huge difference.