Sadness in Summer

I have yet to meet with my union rep about the neglect that my supervisor is placing on the house. I know that union reps don't have a lot to do with the overall care of the people who live within the association, I just want my back covered when I go to meet with my supervisor because I know that she will, if possible diminish me to nothing and make my presence in the workforce disappear. It is not okay to make the workers work harder and longer hours without a team leader, it's just wrong! Its also not okay to do that when most of the worker as new and the person who had been there the longest (myself!) is only a casual worker so cannot train and guide new workers, that would be a team leaders job, but alas we are without one for the next month at least!

What a summer this is going to be?

I was very sad to find out that my friend at work is going through a really difficult time in her life. She told me that her brand new husband has left her with their five (or so) son for a woman he had been having an affair with. She could barely function at work. How deeply sad I am for her. I think I will do something for her but I am not sure what. Possibly have flowers delivered or offer my babysitting services free of charge if she is in a tight spot. I am not too close to her there is not much else I think I can do. She told me that she has a support system, her family and friends I am not as worried about her. But to see her destroyed face was devastating as I was leaving work this morning.

What kind of gesture is appropriate in these kind of situations?