Over the past few months, we’ve learned a lot about ourselves. We’ve realized we are stronger than we thought, and that our ability to adapt will see us through the toughest of times.

We’ve also gotten used to family gatherings where you “sit with who you live with” and social distancing. We’ve become accustomed to masks, and we’re all learning how to grocery shop online. We’ve learned just how much we cherish a hug from a friend and that we really miss an evening at the ballpark.

If you take a step (or 6 feet) back and look at the things many of us are missing most right now, it’s the sense of connection we get from interacting with others, a sense of belonging, a sense of community.

When things get back to normal, and they will get back to normal eventually, all these things will seem even sweeter. For now, we’re going to have to be patient.

Until then, try focusing on what you can do within your corner of the world − whether that’s your workplace or your community – to bridge the 6-foot social distancing gap.

How do we do that? At Community Choice Credit Union, we’re committed to being part of the communities we serve, it’s part of our “Give Big” culture. We continue to identify and provide volunteer opportunities for our team members, ways to lend a helping hand, and it has helped us maintain a shared sense of community.

These are some things we’ve been doing to help communities in Macomb County. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to do something that supports your community. It’s easier than you think, and what seems like the smallest of efforts often make the largest impact.

Call a Senior We called our senior members just to say “Hi,” and to ask, “Is there anything we can do to help?” They appreciated the check-in and had lots of great stories to share.

Outstanding Lunch Balance Payoffs We helped schools by paying off their overdue meal bills so families can start the new school year without that financial burden. In Macomb County alone, we paid off the balances for 410 students.

Backpack Giveaways On August 14, we’ll be handing out backpacks full of school supplies to students at the Warren Member Center from 4 to 6 p.m. This is just one of the eight backpack events we’re hosting throughout the summer.

Providing Remote Access For members without access to e-Banking, we have a supply of tablets that we’ll be giving away. We’re committed to helping members manage their finances safely and remotely.