PENDLETON — In an era of COVID-19 hotspots, Pam Jones led the formation of one centered not on the disease but on love and appreciation in the face of it.

Jones, who lives on West Water Street, invited people in town to step outside at 7 p.m. Friday to clap, cheer, bang pots and pans, and otherwise make some noise, to start what’s planned to be a regular outpouring of solidarity and thanks in town.

“It helps to hear from each other,” said Jones, who said she was inspired by similar events elsewhere in the country and around the world. “Why not do something that’s fun, that takes 10 minutes?

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“We know how to do this, we know how to be grateful.”

At the prescribed time on Friday on Jones’ street, adults and children were out in force on their front porches and in their yards; they used a variety of sound-emitting devices, with the wooden spoon and metal pot appearing to be most popular.

In addition to the people who participated on her street, Jones said she had gotten the message out to people in other parts of town on social media and through her church, and some of those people joined in.

She received photos from some of those people, and heard from others who said they “could hear the noise” in their neighborhoods.

“It’s purpose is to create a show of unity and support for our neighbors, our community and our health care workers,” Jones said in an email sent out to friends and neighbors last week.

George and Norma Gasparovic participated in the collective event, which Jones has named the “Unity and Gratitude Gathering.”

“I felt it was important to stand up and say thanks to our first responders and caregivers on so many levels,” Norma Gasparovic said in an email. “They are in a dangerous and life-threatening situation daily. Our church regularly prays for those in harms way during this time. We have no idea what they face daily.”

George Gasparovic also had an encouraging message of gratitude.

“I don’t always realize how blessed I am and how so many people help/serve/support us every day,” he said. “I wanted to let all those we depend on to know ‘Thanks — you are appreciated!’ I only wish we could share that with everyone. Please take care and hang in there.”

The plan is to continue the 7 p.m. Friday gatherings on the second and fourth Fridays until the state’s stay-at-home orders are lifted.

At this time, additional events are planned for May 8 and 22 and June 12 and 26, Jones said.

“If the stay-at-home orders were lifted July 1, the week of July 6, we would prepare some goodies for our public safety workers,” she said. Then on July 17, “we would celebrate our final Unity and Gratitude Gathering.”

She said she thinks the people of Pendleton will embrace the bi-weekly activity, based on how residents have responded to adversity in the recent past, including last year’s Memorial Day tornado.

“The whole idea, in my view, is for it to spread,” Jones said.

Commenting on Friday, she said, “I think it’s a start.”

“It seems to me that we’re all in this together,” she said. “Our community has come through some difficult times. … I feel like that’s what people are doing right now.”