As we head into the Thanksgiving long weekend, it’s understandable if some of you are not feeling particularly thankful right now.
The silver lining to the challenges of 2020 is that they have helped to show us what’s really important in our lives.
Oct. 8, 2020
As we head into the Thanksgiving long weekend, it’s understandable if some of you are not feeling particularly thankful right now.
I’d like to provide some food for thought. For me, the silver lining to the challenges of 2020 is that they have helped to show us what’s really important in our lives. For some, that has been family and friends, or a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Others may have learned to appreciate our caring community, our front-line workers, or our local businesses.
The answers will be different for everyone, but if the pandemic has taught you what you truly value, I’d say that’s something to be thankful for.
If you’re following the advice of the experts and sticking to your bubble, there’s a good chance this Thanksgiving will be a little different this year.
We’re all getting better at adapting, so I hope you’ve come up with a safe way to enjoy this holiday with those who matter to you. Maybe that’s an online meetup, an outdoor or physically distant activity, or a smaller gathering rather than a big one this year.
However you’re preparing to celebrate this long weekend, think about how you can show your support – and your thanks – for the local businesses that are working hard every day to get by.
One idea is to take part in the Thanks & Giving campaign the City has launched through our CoquitlamSPIRIT program. We’re encouraging people to show their love for local businesses and each other by shopping locally for an item, gift card, or supplies for a homemade craft or treat to give to someone this Thanksgiving. Then, encourage others to do the same by sharing your experience on social media and tagging both the business and #CoquitlamSPIRIT.
We all have a role to play in our community’s recovery, and you can help by considering local options first when you’re shopping for your Thanksgiving event or for anything else.
Behind each business around town, there’s a face and a family. I’ve been making an effort to shop and eat locally since the pandemic hit, and it’s been wonderful to meet so many owners, restauranteurs and staff members that I didn’t know before.
There’s something to be said about developing a relationship with a local business. Become a regular. You’ll likely be rewarded with better service – or at the very least, your name spelled correctly on your coffee cup. And maybe you’ll make a friend.
If you’re a small business owner in Coquitlam, make sure to go to coquitlam.ca/businessweek before Oct. 16 for a chance to be profiled during Small Business Week later this month. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to the community, and to help show that the businesses in our city not only provide important goods and services, but also a livelihood for many local residents.
To all of our businesses, and to our residents, I wish you a safe and rewarding Thanksgiving.
Richard Stewart
Mayor