How can I help from my couch?

This past weekend I participated in a Global Covid Hackathon where over 18,000 people came together to build projects to help in the response to the global pandemic.

It was an energizing and uplifting experience to see so many strangers come together to work on projects with a desire to be part of the solution.

My goals in participating in this were two-fold:

• learn something new that is useful
• contribute to a project that has an immediate impact

There were over 1,500 projects that were submitted, and I read through many of the early projects to find where I could contribute. While there were so many fascinating projects in all shapes and sizes, I ultimately felt that it was best to start my own.

In line with my goals, I built Sponsor A Quarantine.

This was my first time using any "no code" tools which provided a super fun learning opportunity. Very powerful to be able to put together something like this in a weekend. Bonus points that my girlfriend helped me get some key things done in order to meet the submission deadline.

We went from idea in the shower to raising over $2,100 in donations in a weekend, and our first food basket of many is out for delivery today.

Even though the hackathon is over, we're going to continue to keep donations open, we're working with a couple of local organizations in SF and NYC to find people in need and do whatever we can to help with this site. I'm still feeling a pull to be doing more which feels reasoanble, and I've been continuing to both listen and take action towards what's next.

It felt a lot better to build this past weekend than occupy time with distractions, and I'll be looking for more ways to integrate that as we bunker down for however long is need.