Regional councillor starts campaign supporting front-line workers

A new campaign is underway in support of front-line workers – asking the community to either keep their Christmas lights up or a porch light on until Feb. 14., similar to earlier in the pandemic when the banging of pots and pans where used as a sign of gratitude. 

“It seemed to be the stars were lining up that most of us have lights to put on our porches or balconies but, there's a lot of Christmas lights still up so let's make use of them and keep them up until a day that is known for love February the 14th Valentine's Day,” said Regional Councillor Jim Erb, who is headlining the campaign. 

“Well I have a mother who is in a retirement home, I have some grandchildren who are in school and right now and we have some dear friends who are in hospital and I just know how challenging it is for family members to try and keep in touch with these folks…” said Erb. “I can't say enough in gratitude for the people who are looking after my mother, the teachers who are teaching my grandchildren and the healthcare professionals who are looking after our friends plus fire, police, childcare workers – you name it  – everybody on the front-line right now and just doing heroic work.”

“I think all of us because of the restrictions on not being able to shake somebody's hand or give them a pat on the shoulder are feeling restricted with Omicron, and so we need to find ways that we can connect with those people and let them know we're with them emotionally and support them with all the stress that they're under and if it will help them with their mental health and just being stronger and knowing the community supporting them, then I hope it works.” 

Erb said he believes front-line workers will take notice of the support and it could make all the difference for them. 

“Well I can say first hand from visiting my mother in her retirement home, that if you take in an apple or a treat for the front-line workers and thank them for the extra mile that they're going right now they're very appreciative of it … the more we can get the community to show that appreciation community wide the better off I think they will be.”

Erb had some words of wisdom for the community as a final note, “I just think we don't recognize the pressure these people are under till we see them in action, and rather than waiting to see them in action, let's try and be proactive and acknowledge the work that they're doing and thank them on behalf of all of us in the community.”