Furloughed in the pandemic, she carries on her life’s work helping others

Megan Schaefer of Belgium has made it her career to help people.

The Port Washington native is a physician’s assistant and has spent more than 30 years in medicine.

But in late March, Schaefer was notified she would be put on furlough due to the coronavirus. She is off work until at least May 26.

But that hasn’t stopped Schaefer from doing her life’s work.

She had been thinking about a post-retirement hobby of running errands for people in Ozaukee County who are unable to leave their homes.

“This (virus) happened, and I figured let’s pull the trigger and start it,” she said.

She made brochures and dropped them off at area senior homes, stores and pharmacies, and gave some to a bus from an assisted living facility in Grafton that she came across. She even placed an ad in Ozaukee Press that reads

“Kindness is a choice.”

“Small acts,” Schaefer calls them. She offers “anything within reason and my ability.”

The acts aren’t so small to Karen Mole, who lives in an apartment at Harbor Club in Port Washington with her husband Tom.

For now, they can’t see each other after 56 years of marriage. Tom, who has muscular sclerosis, has been moved to the assisted living portion of Harbor Campus for safety reasons and for better care until the virus subsides. They may only talk on the phone.

The campus is quarantined, so Karen, who normally comes and goes as she pleases, may not leave.

A couple of weeks ago, Mole learned about Schaefer when she asked the Harbor Campus executive director if she knew of a shopper who could pick up some items for her.

Schaefer “was absolutely great,” Mole said. “She’s shopped for me twice already. Everything is exactly how I ordered. I think she’s just terrific.”

Schaefer has been to Walgreens, a dollar store and the post office to find whatever Mole needs.

“She just calls and we talk about how soon she needs it,” though because of the virus not to go out too often, Schaefer said.

She empties her Jeep and then carries items in a bin to the door of the Harbor Club.

Mole meets her at the door to make the exchange.

Both wear masks.

“I really don’t know what she looks like,” Mole said with a laugh.

“She does appear to be a really kind, generous gal.”

Schaefer doesn’t ask to be paid for her services, although she accepts donations. She requests that people “pay it forward” in helping others.

Mole gives Schaefer a tip. She understands volunteering. While the virus has opened an opportunity for Schaefer to give back, it has suspended Mole’s weekly service at Children’s Hospital in Wauwatosa.

Mole’s work at the hospital was to help check people in for surgery and, after operations, take family members to see their children.

“I really love my volunteer job over there,” she said.

She is also involved with the Random Lake Lions Club, and looks forward to going back to both activities.

Mole was Schaefer’s only client as of last week, but she knows there is a need in the community. Throughout her career, Schaefer said, she has seen people put off surgeries because they don’t have anyone to shop for them, instead opting for rehabilitation services.

Schaefer is single and doesn’t have children, but she has many nieces and nephews nearby who check in with her every day.

“I miss ‘em. I miss their hugs,” she said. “I’m lucky enough to have people. Some people don’t.”

If her volunteering takes off, she hopes to enlist their help.

Schaefer grew up wanting to serve others in some way. She wanted to teach but noticed jobs weren’t plentiful. She figured there were always jobs in medicine and became a physician’s assistant.

She has worked for doctors of professional sports teams in Milwaukee.

The coronavirus, she said, is a pandemic the likes she has never seen in her career as a medical professional.

“When you’re in the medical profession or any of these other professions where you help people, it’s hard not to be helping people when something big is going on,” she said.

Schaefer also volunteers with the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, helping train guardians and with fundraising. That also has been put on hold.

In the meantime, she is working in her yard and cleaning her drawers and cupboards to keep busy.

“It’s driving me nuts,” she said.

Even after Schaefer goes back to work, she hopes to continue her volunteer service.

She already has one happy customer in Mole, who knows others are in need.

“There are so many single people living in their homes now that feel isolated and they really don’t have a shopper service or anybody to take care of those needs,” she said.

“I just think offering that service is a gift. She’s very nice and very pleasant. I would recommend her to anybody at anytime. I’m grateful for her presence in my life and she’ll be hearing from me soon.”

To get in touch with Schaefer, call 285-3891 and leave a message.