People wanting to thank frontline workers in the Comox Valley can add their names to a 鈥淗ero Wall鈥� on Cliffe Avenue and First Street in Courtenay.
Kris Hopping came up with the idea - a way for anyone to show their gratitude to those who are risking their lives while providing essential services to the community.
鈥淚 just wanted to honour all the people who are working so hard,鈥� said Hopping. 鈥淚 have quite a few friends who are frontline workers and I know even though we have not yet had our first wave, they are already stressed; they can鈥檛 be with their families, they are sleeping in trailers. I have that fence that everybody passes so I just thought this would be a nice gesture.鈥�
There is a spot on the wall to feature a new group of frontline workers every day. (On April 2, the heroes of the day were 鈥淐ity workers and trash collectors.鈥�)
| Every day, a different group of heroes is honoured in a special "feature inset." Photo by Terry Farrell |
鈥淲e change that every day,鈥� said Hopping. 鈥淵esterday was the grocery store people. I am going to put bus drivers on there鈥� that was just a sort of last-minute add-on decision. It鈥檚 fun.鈥�
There鈥檚 even an opportunity for anyone who wants to add a name to the board but can鈥檛 make it to the location.
鈥淎bsolutely,鈥� said Hopping. 鈥淧eople can email me (khopping@telus.net)鈥� I鈥檝e had a few names posted from people emailing me and messaging me because they are in isolation, or they are not in town. I鈥檝e got names there from people in Canmore, Campbell River鈥� I have also been putting on the wall what these people are doing, whether they are a paramedic, nurse, doctor, care aide, whatever (i.e. Myles Walters, paramedic; Nurse Paula Branchi). So if they give me that title, I can add that too. It鈥檚 not necessary. I just think it鈥檚 interesting.鈥�
Be sure to bring your own Sharpie/felt pen to add your contribution, if you are heading down to the Hero Wall.
鈥淭he more names the merrier,鈥� said Hopping. 鈥淚f they get too full, I will just put another one up. I will just keep this going until such a time that we don鈥檛 need it anymore, which hopefully is not too long.鈥�
This feel-good story is part of the #WereInThisTogether campaign by Black Press Media. Have an uplifting story that you think would bring joy to readers? Email your story, photos and videos to wereinthistogether@blackpress.ca
Related: Video of nightly balcony salute to frontline workers
terry.farrell@blackpress.ca
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