Pleasanton Rings Bells In Honor Of First Responders: Coronavirus

PLEASANTON, CA — Every night at 7 p.m., Heidi Kashyap and her neighbors in the Del Prado area take to their front yards for two minutes to ring bells as a gesture of thanks in honor of first responders fighting the spread of the coronavirus.

The idea came to Kashyap as she searched for a way to show appreciation for health care workers on the front lines of the fight. Bells seemed like a fairly common household item with an uplifting sound, so she created flyers for her neighbors inviting them to join her.

"If you don't unite during these times, it could be really tough," she said.

The effort was a success from the first day. Even neighbors on surrounding streets joined in on the fun.

That night, a neighbor in the health care sector ran down Kashyap's street with tears in her eyes, grateful for the recognition, she said.

The hospital workers who live nearby go "nuts" every night, Kashyap said. The Easter Bunny even made a special appearance on Easter.

The evening ritual gives kids a break and adults an opportunity to release the stress that they might be feeling as a result of work or the shelter-in-place order, she said. People out getting exercise stop to watch and clap.

"It's a great camaraderie," she said.

Kashyap has heard her idea has spread to various neighborhoods in Pleasanton and beyond. Anyone who hasn't yet joined in the fun is invited to participate in the 7 p.m. daily "Chime of Thanks" ritual, she said.

Grab a bell, wind chime or cell phone playing a bell noise and head outside for two minutes to honor the workers doing their best to protect the public.

Watch a video of the ritual here: