Tyler Junior College turned Ramey Tower red, white and blue to show solidarity and support for the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Tyler community and others around the world are experiencing hardship as the coronavirus pandemic continues to escalate.

Many individuals and local businesses are stepping up to support law enforcement, nurses, and their neighbors in a variety of ways in an attempt to spread hope through a dark situation.

How to help

Through social media forums, CrossPointe Church has invited anyone who needs prayer to text PRAYER to 903-771-0072, and someone from their prayer team will get in touch with the caller.

Van Independent School District announced that it will be joining districts across the state who are illuminating their football stadiums on a nightly basis as a symbol of hope amid the current state of the pandemic.

The district said the lights at Van Memorial Stadium will be on each evening, Monday through Friday from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. until all students return to school. They also are turning on all of the lights at the baseball field, softball field and tennis courts as well as the red light at the administration building in honor of seniors whose year was cut short by this global pandemic.

The district said they hope and pray that students will soon return to their hallways, but until then these lights “will burn bright to serve as a reminder of the better days that lie ahead…”

An Instagram post captioned “let there be light” also was circulated to encourage people to place luminaries or a candle outside their homes on April 1 in support of the many doctors, nurses and medical professionals working to aide others through the COVID-19 outbreak.

Tyler Junior College said the campus will remain lit in red, white and blue as a symbol of unity as the country faces these challenging times. The college is encouraging the community to display their U.S. flags and also put up Christmas lights to light up the town.

Tyler locations of Chicken Express are offering their support to first responders including law enforcement, firefighters, nurses, doctors, EMS and healthcare staff by offering a free meal.

Know of any other ways community members are helping out? Let us know by sending an e-mail to news@tylerpaper.com