It’s quite an understatement to say that this week has been a challenging one.

With schools, daycares and some workplaces closing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been pretty hard to think positively.

But through these hard times, many Alabamians are inspiring us through their good deeds. This is just a small fraction of them all. (Please let us know of anyone you think should be featured!)

These students who wrote encouraging letters to nursing home residents

A letter from a student in Carey Arensberg's fifth-grade class, which wrote letters to the senior citizens who live at Little Sisters of the Poor, a Catholic nursing home in Mobile.

Students all over the state earlier this week wrote encouraging notes and letters to people who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Walnut Grove Elementary fifth- and sixth-grade teacher Lori Alexander told AL.com, "It started off as a writing and learning assignment, but I wanted my kids to see that there’s a much bigger picture and to see how other people are being affected (by the coronavirus). So, I wanted them to encourage residents who aren’t able to see their loved ones at this time.” Read more about that here.

This sweet south Alabama school that refused to quit morning announcements

School at Home - Day 3 Important: Morning Announcements from Dr. Stan Stokley - School at Home Day 3 UPDATE for Parents: post pictures of your students on your page, add #abcChallenge to posts, and tag Saraland City Schools and @saralandelementary as you RISE to the challenge! #ExpectMoreAchieveMore Posted by Saraland Elementary School on Thursday, March 19, 2020

The administration at Saraland Elementary School decided that not being in school anymore didn’t mean that morning announcements should stop. So now they host them on their Facebook page, led by Principal Stan Stokley. But the videos don’t just bring normalcy and reassure the Saraland Elementary students -- people across the world are inspired by the lively videos. Read the sweet story here.

And really, let’s thank teachers everywhere.

Amy Lachina, the director of the WEE Center of First Baptist Church Trussville, has posted several videos on the preschool's Facebook page this week. (Photo courtesy Amy Lachina)

Classes may not be in session, but teachers across the state are still inspiring students. Many of them have started hosting live reading sessions on social media where they read some of their favorite books. It’s not only pretty entertaining, but it allows routine and structure in students’ lives. Amy Lachina, director of the 320-student WEE Center of First Baptist Church Trussville, said, “We can’t not do it,” she says of using social media to communicate with children. “I miss my sweet world of preschoolers.” Read more about this here.

An Alabama couple made the most of a canceled wedding

Bailey King and Eric Griffin, whose wedding was planned for March 21, postponed it until July 18 because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Facebook photo)

Bailey King and Eric Griffin spent 14 months planning their dream wedding day. But since the big day is today, they had to cancel. But since they already had their flowers, they wanted to do something special with them -- so they donated them to Knollwood Pointe, an assisted living and memory care facility in Mobile. Read more about this here.

How about this community that made sure a veteran had a happy birthday?

When Carl Cooper turned 100 on Wednesday, his community made sure the retired Marine Corps veteran got a proper birthday celebration. His neighbors in Vestavia Hills stood at the end of the driveway and sang “Happy Birthday” to him. Read more about that here.

And how about the restaurants and volunteers helping feed students?

Sixth grade math teachers Andrea Perry, left, and Katie Arnold pack bags of food into Perry's car to deliver to students in Madison County. After Alabama schools closed in response to the coronavirus outbreak, community volunteers are stepping in to make sure they get meals. (Anna Claire Vollers / avollers@al.com)

So many people across Alabama have joined in to feed children who no longer have access to school lunches. Restaurants like Gus’s Fried Chicken in Birmingham have offered free bagged lunches to Alabama students. (Read about that here.) But that’s not all. Teachers and other volunteers are banding together to make sure students are being fed. Read more about that here.

(And if you’re wondering about ways to help your favorite restaurants during this uncertain time, look here.)

Alabamians are finding ways to help truck drivers

Eufala police officers are offering to help get food for truck drivers who pass through the city looking for a bite to eat. (Eufaula Police Department)

Truck drivers are working overtime these days to ensure stores have everything they need. But finding food is harder, now that dining in restaurants is prohibited and they can’t fit their big rigs in drive-thrus. That’s where the Eufaula Police Department comes in. They’ve ensured all truckers driving through their towns that they’ll make sure they’re fed. "We will either go get something for you or give you a ride to the nearest drive-thru (if you don’t mind riding in the back seat,)’’ the department posted on Facebook. “If manpower is such that we cannot assist, we will secure someone that can.” Read more here.

This Pelham resident gave much-needed supplies to people who need them

There are people throughout the state who are physically unable to leave the house, and Pelham resident Kylie Anderson is ensuring that they have all the supplies they need to combat COVID-19. “I’ve driven to a lot of people’s homes and dropped off supplies at their doors," she told Shelby County Reporter. "Like people with cancer who are going through chemotherapy right now, elderly people, single moms who are working and unable to pick up groceries or meals for their kids. I’ve really just been giving away stuff to people like that or to people who can find the things they need in stores.” Find that story here.

Distilleries are shifting focus to manufacture hand sanitizer

Father and son John (left) and Jimmy (right) Sharp, co-owners of John Emerald Distilling Company in Opelika

Earlier this week, John Emerald Distilling Company in Opelika announced that they’re shifting gears (in conjunction with Auburn-Opelika Tourism) to convert their facilities to temporarily make hand sanitizer to combat the country’s shortage. Here’s more about that partnership. Other Alabama distilleries have announced the same thing, including Dread River Distilling in Birmingham. (Read more here.)