Surviving in a Covid-19 World: Help Me, PPTC

As other states and regions across the country begin to reopen , New York City remains shut down for the time being. As social distancing continues to be the norm, group activities are still a distant memory. Instead of meeting up with training partners, club members have stepped up to participate in “Help Me, PPTC”, an initiative to run errands (often literally) and make deliveries to people in need.

Ryan Cote delivers supplies to Dominique Gagne.

When asked about the development of the program, Vice President Adam Devine explained, “Ashleigh Hunt is the one who originally had the idea. Then PaFoua Hang had some experience in a similar volunteer role, so she helped form the team and set up a list of safety precautions. It has really been a team effort, but I would say that PaFoua, Crystal Cun, Danielle Fagenblat, and Holly Chase have been doing a lot of the organizational work. To be honest, I thought it was going to be quite a bit of work for me personally but the group has been so great about naturally dividing the labor among us. It has been pretty seamless. Anna Kushner in particular has done a great job organizing the list of backup volunteers in case we need them.”

Crystal Cun delivering supplies to David Coleman.

Adam elaborated on the eligibility for delivery recipients, noting that they are not limited to club members exclusively: “Frankly, it makes me even happier to see that it is expanding to the greater community. We are much more than a running club, we are an organic part of the city. I think we are of best service taking care of the city as a whole, where we can, in this time of crisis. We are delivering to runners and non runners alike, but one of our recipients (and one of the reporters who interviewed us!) are thinking about joining the club!”

Club member David Coleman had self-isolated for three weeks already when he reached out to be connected with a teammate who could shop for him. “Crystal texted me and told me she’d be my supplier and would go to the supermarket in my neighborhood. We texted back and forth a few times about various substitutions and then, barely an hour later, Crystal was at my door. There was quite a lot of stuff that she lugged over on her bike. To have fresh bread and vegetables, along with all the other stuff, meant so much to me. That PPTC would do this for their members (or anyone in need) shows the true spirit of the club, and I, for one, am very, very grateful,” David said.

When asked about her role, Crystal added, “I was lucky enough to help David with a grocery delivery. It was wonderful to see him smiling (behind his mask) and know that I’d saved him the risk of waiting in line and going shopping himself. There have been a lot of people who have fled the city to hunker down in ‘safer,’ less restrictive parts of the country. I considered leaving town for a hot minute, then realized that PPTC’s support network was all I needed to get through this pandemic and feel safe, even though my family isn’t here. I think that says a lot about our culture as being much more than just a team; we truly are a community.”

Brand-new club member Ryan Cote expanded on Crystal’s comments by detailing what became one of his first experiences participating with the team: “When the pie run was postponed, I decided to join [other PPTC members] during this crisis for the community and take the opportunity to be helpful in my new home. As a healthy young adult, I feel very fortunate to be able to help out others who have pre-existing conditions, are elderly, or simply are not keen on going into crowded grocery stores in search of basic needs during this time. Through Slack, PPTC members welcomed me in and helped connect me with an immunocompromised member. As donation pop-ups, virtual trivia, and various other necessary fun events continue to be planned, it is clear that PPTC is a place for community—and from what I hear, maybe running too.”

The immunocompromised teammate mentioned by Ryan was Dominique Gagne, and she expressed sincere gratitude toward him and the club at large: “I have asthma and chronic bronchitis and decided early on to self-quarantine. Ryan delivered to my apartment building in Midwood; he walked over a mile to my place with two weeks’ worth of groceries. I am so grateful to not only him, but to Adam and all the folks in PPTC who are making “Help Me, PPTC” a huge success! I have been a member of PPTC almost since I moved here, about ten years ago. I am continually awed at how much this team means to me personally, emotionally, and physically. Thank you, #HelpMePPTC!”

Interviews and text by: Carla Benton
Photos by: Dominique Gagne and Crystal Cun
Edited by: Rachael DePalma
Produced by: Alison Kotch