Shown are the cards to be placed on doors to identify a neighbor who might be in need of help.

THOMASVILLE — Families in a Thomasville neighborhood are not leaving those in self-quarantine during the coronavirus epidemic in crises of their own.

“They saw it in social media and decided to implement it in our neighborhood in Puzzle Lake earlier this week,” said Todd Mobley.

A neighborhood resident distributed red and green cards with a letter describing the program.

If the resident is OK, the green card should be taped to the front door. If help is needed, the resident’s phone number is written on the card, and it is attached to the front door.

“The person checking the neighborhood will get the phone number and call the person and find out what the need is,” said Mobley, a Thomasville City Council member and retired Thomasville High School principal. “They put this into effect for the elderly and some of those most vulnerable to the virus.”

Anyone who wants cards and has not been approached should call the Thomasville City School System office at 225-2600 and leave a message. A time will be set up to deliver the number of cards requested.

“One leader from a neighborhood needs to call,” Mobley said.

Ponder’s donated the paper to make the cards.

Mobley said neighbors must help each other. 

“Nobody knows where this pandemic will go,” he said. “We do not want anyone to be taken advantage of or feel unsafe. Please know your neighborhood, and be safe.”

Some residents do not want go to a pharmacy or grocery store out of fear of the virus or are unable to otherwise fulfill everyday needs, Mobley said.

The program is done on a volunteer basis, and participating neighborhoods should know who is is checking residences each day.

Three neighborhoods are participating so far. Two have 100 percent participation, the other 90 percent.

Thomasville Police Department and Thomasville Fire/Rescue are assisting in the initiative.

“The green card, red card initiative is another way, in addition to neighborhood watch groups, to know what neighbors might be in need of assistance during this crisis with COVID-19,” Police Chief Troy Rich said. “Thomasville Police Department will assist in any manner to make our community safe and help our residents,” the chief said.

Tim Connell, interim fire chief, said he and some of his command and rescue staffs are going to participating neighborhoods several times daily.

“Thomasville Fire is happy to assist the police department in getting out into the community to do whatever we can to show them we’re still on the job and willing to do what is needed for the community,” Connell said.