Elliman Connection: Giving Back through Huntington Hospital’s Meals on Wheels

Many organizations around the country help prepare and deliver food to those who can’t easily shop or cook for themselves. Due to COVID-19 however, many programs have had to adjust their delivery and service methods. Douglas Elliman agents Kelley Taylor , Nikki Taylor Friedman and Jyll Kata have been volunteering at Huntington Hospital Mobile Meals on Wheels program.  Elliman Insider sat down with Kelley, Nikki, Jyll and Risa to find out more about their involvement in this program and what has continued to inspire them during these times. ELLIMAN INSIDER: What are some ways you’re giving back to the community? Kelley Taylor: When we heard from Risa that Huntington Hospital needed volunteers to get meals to the citizens of our community that are not able to shop, prepare or cook meals for themselves, there was no hesitation to help. After receiving a text message Sunday night that volunteers were needed for the following Monday, we jumped on the opportunity to service our community. We are truly all in this together. EI: What’s inspired you to donate your time or efforts to that particular cause? Nikki Taylor Friedman: For my family in particular aside from wanting to give back to our community, Nina has been there for our family for many years in regards to Huntington hospital—anytime we have a family member who has fallen ill, Nina is the first person to be by their bedside making sure they are comfortable and have everything that they could need within a short time of being admitted. So when we found out that she was spearheading this, we immediately knew we wanted to help her. EI: What’s the best way you think we can provide emotional and motivational support to each other through all of this? Jyll Kata: I believe that the best way to show emotional and motivational support to each other through all of this is to just reach out. Send a text, pick up the phone and call. Although we are in a time that we are supposed to be “alone,” we can be alone together. Smile at someone when you pass them on your neighborhood walk, check on the people who you haven’t spoken to in awhile. We are in an age of technology that I believe makes anything possible these days. FaceTime, Zoom, Skype—any sort of video chat can help you feel close to someone when you can’t physically be with them.    EI: When business goes back to usual, how do you think you can still maintain your sense of community and continue to give back? Jyll Kata: If the hospital still needs volunteers when business goes back to usual, I would love to continue to donate some of my time to delivering meals. EI: People have been coming together to support each other during this time; have there been some examplesmoments that have inspired you? Nikki Taylor Friedman: Specific to the real estate community: so many agents have been coming together to share what has kept them motivated during this time in effort to motivate both their colleagues and peers. I have stayed motivated by being in contact with these agents. There are many social media challenges pertaining to our business that have inspired me to step out of my comfort zone. We are in a time that everyone is vulnerable. People are sharing their secrets to success, being raw and unfiltered, showing themselves for who they are, not how they want to be perceived. We are getting to know one another on a more personal level, allowing for deeper connections. This is inspiring me to be more raw and unfiltered— everything doesn’t always have to be perfect.  Volunteer your time to Huntington Hospital today.