Like many others during the COVID-19 pandemic, Eva M. Doyle spends much of her time at home. During a brief conversation with WBFO, she mentioned frequently that she is a senior citizen. Doyle, a columnist for The Criterion, also shows that age doesn't restrict compassion or limit a desire to spread goodwill. She's calling on residents to illuminate their front porches at night over the next month to honor those who have died due to COVID-19.
"We see all the statistics. We hear all the numbers but I want to remind people, these are people," Doyle said.
"These are family members. These are friends and neighbors. And I don't want us to lose sight of that."
It's a grass roots effort, with Doyle reaching out through her column, radio show and friends, but she is hoping for a widespread response.
"I live on the East Side of Buffalo, but this is not just an East Side-of-Buffalo thing," said Doyle, who spend 30 years as a teacher in Buffalo.
"I'm encouraging everyone across Western New York to think about others, to think about their family and to unite."
Doyle began the effort last night by keeping her porch lights on from dusk until dawn. She heard from friends who followed her lead. The plan is to keep the lights on until the end of May.
"We are the City of Good Neighbors."
