NORTHFIELD – Whether you need an extra hand stacking wood, a ride to the doctor’s office or a new battery for your smoke detector, the community of volunteers involved in Neighbors at Home has your back. 

“Most people don’t ask for a lot of services. The biggest response I get is the comfort in just knowing we’re there,” said Pam Eldridge. “I think people know we’re there if they need us, when they need us.”

The nonprofit Neighbors at Home launched more than five years ago in Northfield, inspired by a neighborhood in Boston that organized a “virtual retirement community” in 2001, according to its website. Similar organizations exist around the country in various iterations, all under the theme of creating a neighborhood “village.”

Vice President Shirley Keech said there are between 50 and 60 paying members and about 30 volunteers. Volunteers serve on one of four teams that offer specific support services: the Transportation Team, the Tech Team, the Lend-a-Hand Team and the Social Team. With membership, a person can request services by leaving a message at 413-200-8183 or emailing service@neighborsathome.org.

Outside of providing requested assistance to its members, the group organizes social events, whether it’s a day at the bowling alley or lunch at a local restaurant. 

“Everything came to a halt during COVID, of course,” Keech said. “For the past … six months, we’ve slowly been building back up.”

Speaking in between frames at the group’s first in-person, indoor event at the French King Bowling Center earlier this month, Keech said during the pandemic, a group of volunteers started to make regular visits to members’ homes to say hello and deliver a small gift. They called it “knock and drop,” she said. 

“That reaching out … that tied us over during the COVID years,” she said. 

After nearly three years without a similar kind of event, she said it was “wonderful” to be back in person. 

“The human contact matters so much,” she said. “Studies show that.”

Social relationships do have a direct impact on a person’s physical and mental health, according to 2011 study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior. In fact, studies that support the positive impact of social relationships show that social ties reduce mortality risk among adults with documented medical conditions. 

“The biggest gain is being able to reinforce a social network,” said Steve Roberto, a member of the Lend-A-Hand Team. 

Eldridge said the group exists to provide support to the community. 

“One of our members is quite ill with a terrible cancer and there’s a gang of us that’s going to drive him to his radiation appointments,” she said. “He’s a gentleman that’s historically been reluctant to ask for services. We’re committed to helping him.”

Applications for membership can be found online at neighborsathome.org. Interested residents can also request one via the phone or by writing to the organization. Letters should be addressed to: Neighbors at Home, P.O. Box 97, Northfield MA, 01360.

From Jan. 1 to July 1, membership is 50% off at $30 per individual or $45 per household. 

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

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