Stepping Up and Doing More

When the pandemic started in early 2020 most New Yorkers, along with people across the world, took shelter in the safety of their homes, going out only when necessary. For some, those who are older or immunocompromised, staying home and staying safe were even more important.

NCS supporters Kathleen and Henry Chalfant really wanted to help but also recognized the need to stay safe.

The Chalfants were introduced to NCS almost 10 years ago by their friends and long-time NCS supporters, Hugh Fremantle and Susan Stevens who thought correctly that Kathleen and Henry would be moved by NCS’s work. They began making annual contributions and soon committed to monthly donations to support NCS’s clients. But when the pandemic started, they wanted to do more... and we had the perfect role for them!

New York-Presbyterian Hospital was receiving hundreds of donated meals every day for the doctors, nurses, and other COVID heroes working on the frontlines of the pandemic. But many days there were too many, and they asked NCS if we could accept the leftover, individually-packaged portions. But there was just one catch—someone would need to pick up the food and deliver it to the Upper East Side where NCS employees pass it on to our hungry residents. It was the perfect job for someone with a car who wanted to be helpful without interacting with others.

“We were too old to volunteer in most places in 2020 but read that NCS needed drivers to pick up donated meals and deliver them to the residence on 81st Street,” Kathleen shared. “We contacted the splendid Michael Hartwyk (Director of Human Resources & Volunteer Services) and in late April began making regular trips with the food. It was wonderful to feel we could help even in this small way and that our age wasn't a disqualification.”

Although the Chalfants had been loyal Circle of Neighbors members since 2016, making monthly donations, and spent much of 2020 pulling up outside the Residence to drop off the meals, it wasn’t until 2021 that they finally made it inside to see the NCS Residence.

“We volunteered to serve Thanksgiving Dinner at the Residence and so finally got to meet some of the staff and many of the residents in person. It was a perfect way to spend Thanksgiving and to marvel at the wonders of Monique Phillips (NCS Residence Program Director)!!!!!”

Thank you, Kathleen and Henry, for stepping up and driving over when NCS clients needed you most.

If you want to join Kathleen and Henry in the Circle of Neighbors, you can sign up at the link below!