For the next week, residents in Plympton will hold a nightly ceremony to salute essential workers and show support for those who are ill during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At 7 p.m. each night, the First Congregational Church in Plympton will ring it’s bells, and residents are encouraged to join in with clapping, music, or singing.
Selectmen Vice-Chair Mark Russo was among the organizers. He says he was inspired by nightly shows of support in New York neighborhoods.
“It’s celebrating some of the good that can be going on in this, and certainly being concerned. We’re all on the same boat,” said Russo. “It’s some sense of hope or a little bit of reminding ourselves of the equanimity and the resilience that is part of us that will get us through this.”
The Police and Fire Departments joined in, with vehicles lit up along Main Street. Fire Chief Steve Silva says the town will get through this together.
“We’re waving at the people as they go by to let them know we’re still here,” said Silva. “Life is still going on, and we’re going to beat this thing.”
Russo made some noise with a ram’s horn called a shofar. It is used during the Jewish High Holidays.
He wants people to remain together, even when distant.
“I think it’s the beautiful piece of this. If there can be some good that comes out of it, maybe one piece is that an appreciation of when we can be together,” said Russo. “An appreciation of what a handshake can be, a pat on the back, or even a hug. All that stuff that we’re missing now.”
The community show of support continues at 7 p.m. tonight.
