A Chandler Elementary student grabs a drink of water next to a COVID-19 prevention sign. Victoria Independent School District schools hung up signs in every school to ensure students followed CDC guidelines to prevent COVID-19.

Dorothy Fitt claps during a prayer ceremony at the DeLeon Plaza gazebo. President Trump declared the day of prayer for people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic around the world. Victoria resident Wanda Ulrey set up the prayer and messaged people from all denominations to participate at 1:30 p.m. in the gazebo. “We prayed and believed that it won’t affect us as long as we use wisdom,” Ulrey said. “Wash your hands, cough into your shoulders and don’t gather if you don’t feel well.”

Christina Garcia, a nurse at South Texas Blood and Tissue Center, helps platelet donors. The center limited their hours in response to the drastic increase in donors and to make sure there was a steady supply throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “The one thing we will see constantly is how the community comes together,” Ron Chavez, manager of the blood bank, said. “We came together as a country after 9/11; we did it after Hurricane Harvey and now we are going to do it with COVID-19.”

Faith Family Baptist Church conducted its Sunday Service via a broadcast on its website to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Desiree Cardenas answers the phone at VLZ Elite Concepts. Shop owner Felipe Veliz had a surplus of face masks and gave them out to medical workers, first responders or anyone else who needed it to protect themselves from the coronavirus. He gave out more than 1,800 masks within two days. “It’s the right thing to do,” Veliz said. “I have done this before, and I don’t ask for anything in return. If we can help somebody out, that’s what matters.”

Makayla Hammons waves towards people driving by at Grow in Grace senior living center in Ganado. The center recently closed doors to visitors to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to residents. They haven't been able to get out much, so manager Kim Hicks decided to set up Sunshine Therapy: a chance for residents to see other people and relax in the sun. "We posted it publicly for friends, family and everybody to come by and wave and smile," Hicks said. "If you smile at them, they'll smile back," Hick plans to do this every Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m..

Edna High School teacher Deborah Casey waits for students to grab their homework packets. Edna Independent School District lacks technological devices for distance learning, but are currently working to change that for the future.

Zayoinana Salazar holds up a sign for a teacher parade at the YMCA. The day camp program is only during spring break, but because of school closures, it’s been extended for the time being. Childcare Director Michelle Falcon and her staff make sure to keep the center clean and teach their students about social distancing. “It’s hard for them because they’re kids,” Falcon said. “They’re not used to having to distance themselves from their friends.”

Martha Sembera, 100, holds up a princess cutout for a picture at Elmcroft of Victoria. The senior living center held a Spring Fling party, a chance for residents to get outside to play games or hold rabbits and guinea pigs. It also encouraged them to stay active and socialize with others during a time when they can't have visitors, Executive Director Anitra Sherman said. Elmcroft of Victoria closed its doors to visitors to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, so now they're providing a digital way for residents to interact with their family and friends. “They have been wanting to reach out to family, so we have devices set up to Skype or Zoom with their family,” Sherman said. “We’re encouraging that social interaction with their family.”

A man walks down the drinks aisle at Dick's Food Store. From 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., only people older than 65 can shop inside the store and they try to put more groceries out for them, manager Ronnie Hyak said. “We were getting a lot of calls from senior citizens for certain items, so we decided senior shopping would be good,” Hyak said. “It’s working well so far.”

Billy Hays paints the trimmings of the Volunteer Fire Department building in Magnolia Beach on Wednesday, April 8. Hays volunteers around town, even though he has breathing problems. "I'll help wherever I can," Hays said.

Texas Zoo curator Jay Jensen hugs Eurasian lynx Nova inside her new home. Since the zoo closed, staff members have been deep cleaning exhibits, prepping meals, and caring for new rescue animals. “We’re taking advantage of this,“ Jensen said. "It’s a chance for us to deep clean and move stuff around. You can’t get me down.”

Pastor Larry Green watches Rev. Al Hamilton speak during mobile church service at God's Church of Restoration.

Ashley Resendez prepares for a parade through Nursery on Saturday, April 11. Teachers from Nursery Elementary School and the Nursery Volunteer Fire Department joined together to have a parade for nearby neighborhoods.

Gary Henneke stands in front of his stand at the Victoria Farmers Market on Saturday, April 11. His wife Shirley started making masks for adults and children about two weeks to try and use up some spare supplies.

Victoria Christian Assistance Ministry director Marc Hinojosa looks around the clothing store at their office on Tuesday, April 14. VCAM closed their cloth pantry last month and opened a grocery drive-thru option for low-income families. Over an eight-day period, they provided food to 50 new families, more than four times what they see a month. “We try to help as many people as we can,” Hinojosa said. “We’re here for the long haul.”

Christ the Victor Lutheran Church pastor Sheryl Kester-Schmidt talks to family outside of the church during a curbside talk on Thursday, April 23. People pulled up in their car and Kester-Schmidt talked to them with a face mask on to comply with physical distancing guidelines. More than 40 members came out within two hours. Kester-Schmidt wanted to reconnect with church members since they switched to online services for the last six weeks. It's hard to hear over the phone if people are struggling and understand what they may be going through, said Kester-Schmidt. She plans to do this again in the future to continue safe interactions with church members. "We have become a church without walls," Kester-Schmidt said.