The recent winter storm was a thing of beauty as it turned our neighborhood into a snow-covered landscape. My wife and I took a late night walk through the quiet streets as the large flakes of snow fell around us. Our dog, Sasha, came along as well and enthusiastically jumped into the small piles of snow that were quickly building on the lawns and sidewalks.

The next morning, with closures and delays piling up, I spent the majority of the early morning on the phone relaying information to our staff, assessing the road conditions across our three-county region and helping to answer questions about ability to provide services such as case management and home-delivered meals.

The snow, ice and rain that turned our region into a bright white landscape also created terrible driving conditions, slippery sidewalks and parking lots that came to resemble ice rinks. For several days, we were limited in our hours of service working with whatever staff was able to safely get to the office.

As the winter storms continued for several days, we worked to check in with our more vulnerable clients and figure out how to provide lunch through our Meals on Wheels Program.

Throughout the week it was the kindness of neighbors, friends, as well as the dedication of volunteers, that helped all of us get through the worst of the storms. I was reminded during the week that emergencies could occur at any time and in many different ways. The beautiful snow that turns to ice can create hardships. If driving in the snow is not an option for a trip to the grocery store, a neighbor or a friend may be just the answer to get enough of the necessities to get through the week.

Many of the people whom we help in our programs have become isolated over time as medical issues, injuries, or the loss of social connections pile up and become insurmountable obstacles to independence. A few inches of snow can compound the isolation and vulnerabilities.

While I believe strongly in the social safety net that our programs represent, as well as our societal obligation to support those who may become vulnerable over time or through disability, our services, and the other programs that are available to help, will never be enough. Public expenditures through our local, state and federal governments will not be enough for all of those who need assistance.

Our recent snowstorm was a very small example of something that can disrupt the support services that many in our communities depend on. In order to maintain even a part of these support services, our region’s public agencies are working to have plans in place if we were to experience a flood, an earthquake, or a fire. In many respects, these plans will not be enough.

Just like the countless examples of generosity and caring that many experienced during the snow storm, the good deeds of our neighbors, our friends, our families and our casual acquaintances will be how much support and assistance will be delivered in a larger emergency. Reaching out to your neighbors to offer support if the need arises, or to ask for help in advance of a problem, is the best plan that each of us can have ready in case of an emergency.

In the coming year, reintroducing yourself to your neighbors, and talking about your concerns could be the best gift you could give to yourself as well as your neighbors.

Scott Bond is the director of senior and disability services for Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments, the Area Agency on Aging for Benton, Linn, and Lincoln counties. He can be reached at 541-812-6008 or by e-mail at sbond@ocwcog.org.