There is no shortage of negative news right now. The uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has put millions of Americans out of work. People are scared to buy food at the grocery store and wonder when things will ever begin to feel normal again.

While officials at all levels of government work to find answers to these questions, regular Americans are stepping up to help neighbors during these hard times. FreedomWorks has been gathering these inspiring examples with the Love America Pledge, which has reached nearly 1.4 million people in under two weeks.

It begins with signing a pledge to:

• Look out for neighbors, check in regularly, and assist when possible.

• Support small and local businesses through takeout or delivery services, and help the companies that are the backbone of our community.

• Be a force for good on social media, posting encouraging words and accurate news.

• Do our part to flatten the curve by staying home and social distancing.

As people share their stories to social media, we have seen thousands of people sewing masks for healthcare workers and those in “essential businesses,” including FreedomWorks activist Julie from Santa Fe, Texas.

Julie has been a home healthcare provider for many years and knows firsthand that it is mission-critical for healthcare workers on the front lines to have the protective equipment needed to get the job done safely. Fabric masks preserve the medical-grade masks for those who truly need them.

We have seen lower-risk individuals buying food and picking up prescriptions for older and higher-risk Americans. Teachers are doing caravan rides through the neighborhoods of their students to bring good cheer, children are decorating driveways with sidewalk chalk, and entire apartment buildings near medical centers are cheering on hospital workers after every shift.

When Ohio announced its primary election would be postponed, there was a lack of easily available information on what would happen next. Many people did not know they had the option to vote absentee. That’s when longtime FreedomWorks activist Lyn sprung into action.

Lyn sent messages to people on Facebook asking if they knew about the option to vote absentee, informed them about it, and scheduled a safe ballot drop-off for people who were interested. She is on a mission to make sure everyone’s vote counts in the 2020 election, even in the midst of all the chaos and uncertainty.

These examples of socially distanced volunteerism are civil society at its greatest. They are proof that wonderful things can be accomplished when individuals get creative and voluntarily find ways to make communities stronger.

A free society depends on a strong community. The government has an important role to play in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, but the difficult task of keeping spirits high and communities together rests with ordinary citizens like you and me.

If you are looking for ways to help get your neighbors — and the nation — through this time of crisis, join us in taking the Love America Pledge and post your good deeds with the hashtag #LoveAmerica.