June 2020 -
I’ve been volunteering for Island Harvest, on and off, since their launch over 25 years ago. They called me late Monday to see if I could assist with an event in East Hampton the next day. I was actually going to decline, as that’s a pretty far ride, but I checked my vacant Covid-calendar and I was free. They said I would be packing orders for a food bank and loading trucks as they pulled in. Ok.
I arrived yesterday morning at the abandoned clubhouse-turned-food bank, and sought my point of contact. There was a slender, perky fellow near the entrance who was heavily involved on the phone, not sounding pleased according to his end of the conversation. I continued past him, as he didn't give me the time of day, to try and find someone to talk to. The only other people in the space were a masked man and woman toward the back, picking through non-perishables that are stacked against a wall. I walked over to them, hoping I could start pitching in and get busy. I don't like standing around. Makes me uneasy, and feeling useless. I said hello, and asked if they were from Island Harvest. They paused for a moment and looked at each other, then at me. The man introduced the woman and then himself - first names only - which I hardly understood because his words were garbled beneath his mask. I thought I heard something about them starting this whole food bank initiative for the community. “Oh that’s really great,” I said, thinking maybe they were from a local church or some other kind of do-good organization from town.
I decided to try and report back to my contact again to discuss my duties. He was finally off the phone, but still looked rather perturbed at something (I found out later on he's unceasingly perturbed). I told him who I was, and in a why-are-you-bothering-me tone he proceeded to tell me what I would be doing. He then directed his chin toward the man and woman and said “Yeah so Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea launched this food bank to help with the Covid crisis in the area, so you'll be organizing shipments by a list I'm going to give you .” OMG. Did he just say what I think he said? I looked toward the back quickly, my stomach overcome with a pang of nausea. The guy did have scruffy hair. Could be. “Is that Bon Jovi back there?” I tried to whisper. My report looked at me like I was a halfwit. “Yes, it is,” he said while he busily rattled paper piles on his desk.
It’s hard to walk with a tail between your legs, but I waddled back to Jon and Dorothea while my mind raced for words. My hands and lips trembled slightly, my face warm with rushing blood. I stood there for a moment, and when I got their attention once again sheepishly apologized for my stupidity and expressed my gratitude for their initiative. I felt like an idiot for the next three hours, even though I was in awe and disbelief that I was working side by side with Jon and his wife (who were truly hands on, talking to every food pantry member personally and busting their butts physically the entire morning).
It was a day I will never forget, to be in the company of greatness but feeling like they were truly on the same human plane. We worked, we hustled, we laughed, we chatted some. A memory for the books.
Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea will be serving the East Hampton area and surrounding communities for the next four months through the newly established food bank they are funding themselves. That region was hit pretty hard by the virus, and there are many families struggling to put food on the table. They've been residents in East Hampton for over 15 years (as well as Manhattan). Kudos to them!
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