Plano residents, community rose to the challenge of a tough year in 2020

We recently rang in the New Year, leaving a year behind that left us questioning everything. I would like to take a moment to recap Plano’s year.

Before the pandemic hit, Plano was preparing for the normal schedule of activities the community normally is free and blessed to attend: festivals, fishing tournaments, dance recitals, plays and, of course, high school sports. We were planning Memorial Day celebrations, Fourth of July picnics, Sandwich Fair and, of course, Homecoming. Then the pandemic hit.

Every health care worker and first responder left their families, donned the personal protective equipment and ran into the proverbial fire when most would run out. From March to May, it was all about support. The support that was given to our shut-in elderly. The support of drive-thru lunch pickups provided to any child in the district free of charge and restaurants and bars who remained vigilant in providing carryout meals.

Yes, at first, Plano just sheltered in place, trying not to run out of toilet paper. But by May, the citizens of Plano began to slowly adapt to the new COVID-19 norm. Teachers innovated and learned to motivate students like they had been thrown into a Youtube channel of “This is your classroom.” Leaders took to the internet to broadcast their messages of hope. The churches joined in prayer via Zoom, in their cars or sitting on lawn chairs with the beating sun on them. The cemeteries did not stop burying the dead. The local hospitals did not stop delivery of new lives into our crazy world. The American Legion pulled off a Memorial Day procession and social distance-friendly ceremony. And all of that was only in the first 90 days.

The Senior Services team in Yorkville trained nontech elderly how to sign on to Zoom, play bingo and interact with others safely from their homes. Meals on Wheels adapted to the new times, as well. The local bars and restaurants continued to host dinners and to-go and breakfasts in the backseats of minivans. The Boy Scouts achieved a drive-thru fish fry and Saint Mary’s Church bravely hosted a 5 B’s BBQ fundraiser for cancer survivor Grace Brummel. The community embraced the sick, delivered care baskets to the elderly and continued to show hope for the end of the lockdowns.

Some of the less-bright highlights were the families who begged to see their loved one in nursing homes. It was not until mid-summer when families were finally able to share 6 feet of outdoor space with loved ones, and what a reunion that was! Despite our nation feeling pressure to balance Black lives and blue lives, our amazing Plano Police Department and Fire Department decorated their vehicles and drove up and down streets filled with kids, turning their heads (only for a moment) away from party clowns hanging out of moon roofs. The reason for this unprecedented jovial caravan? Plano committed to hosting a birthday parade every Saturday to wish boys and girls a happy birthday.

Plano Mayor Bob Hausler safely and successfully hosted a fishing day at Foli Park. Essential workers continued to fill bags of food for those who could not shop on their own. Small businesses reinvented themselves to weather the storm that now stretched beyond the dog days of summer. In the fall, local candidates hosted socially distanced campaign events to rekindle Americanism and democracy. Hundreds of regular, 9-5, blue collar workers gave up their Saturdays for a month straight to show support of our president, our first responders and our police. The families of the ill continued to rally via Facetime and phone calls to let their loved ones know they were there for them. The economy continued to flourish for some – and fail for others. Regardless of the adversity that we endured in 2020, our little town of Reaper Pride stood tall and brave.

God Bless our America.

• Becky Nelson is a Plano resident.