#GreatestHits2020 is my-year end rally to share a little positivity and progress during a pandemic.

While we are all handling restrictions, risks and changes, I decided that I should spend some time using my super powers to do simple things like helping front line workers. Here are my favourite moments this year.

Charity Moments of the Year

I should first let you know that I am a business owner and have spent more time doing that than much resembling charity. When the businesses I work with closed up for a month of non-essential lockdown, I chose to spend my time organizing meals for front line workers as a reward for them and a way of keeping restaurants in business with take-out orders.

It was a little stressful as I wanted it each project to be a win for everyone involved, and do so in a way that was safe for everyone. Turned out to be liberating and quite fun and fulfilling.

Our first project was in support of the Emergency ward of the local hospital which was under huge pressure to prepare for the first wave of Covid cases. With the help of a few restaurants and business sponsors, we were able to deliver 40 gourmet meals free of charge right when the shifts were changing so we fed twice as many people.

This one felt great as it was our first kick at the can, fell on Easter Sunday, and was well-received by the hospital professionals who graciously returned the favour in ongoing orders to support the restaurants.

The next one was special as it was a larger delivery of over 60 meals to a long-term care facility which had experienced the town's first declared outbreak. It took a little more coordination for the increased numbers and I was joined by social media influencers https://www.facebook.com/Twisted-Sisters-Thoughts-Shots-101170848556180 and the owner of one of my favourite breweries https://blackswanbrewing.ca

A few people raised an eyebrow at me questioning the wisdom of walking right into the local eye of the outbreak. Because it needed to be done. We were safe, distant, gloved/masked, and contact free with the exchange. A neat side story is all of those bottles are not vodka, but a substantial supply of hand sanitizer which the distillery had quickly started producing at the dawn of the pandemic.

We just kept rolling as there were many teams of front line workers who could use a little love. Paramedic Services shown here.

Here we have one half of the delivery to the 2 local fire stations. The guys LOVED the gourmet pizza and discovered a unique bistro they should perhaps order from instead of the chains.

We even managed to deliver a meal to the people holding down the fort at the local Humane Society.

Then there was our favourite Veterinary Hospital caring for our furry family members in the midst of the pandemic.

I love this one for a few reasons.

First of all, we were able to throw our weight behind a partnership that saw the brave launch of a new restaurant https://keepinitcreole.ca in an era where 2/3 existing ones in the province were closing. We kept the billing to a minimum but pushed hard on the proper I/T & Marketing efforts for a very strong launch. Not only that, but we strengthened friendships with the owners (as you can see in the pic) and did a little more for the small business community.

Second is because this initiative resulted in the delivery of 50 more gourmet meals, again to a different long-term care facility. Cases had almost tapered to nothing when an outbreak was declared here and eventually lead to a dozen deaths. Our safe and touchless procedure worked again as we stayed distant but lifted the spirits of some very hard-working yet embattled healthcare professionals as they fought to contain the spread.

I had the chance to work with folks I had never worked with before, and help the local restaurant scene which was already crowded due to the yearly tourist rush which never happened. It is inspiring to see the community rally behind the services like restaurants.

It was great to deliver a little happiness on Mother's Day when mothers were very much missing their children.

IT was humbling to appreciate the struggles others were dealing with, realise how well I was in comparisson, and gratifying to be a part of the solution in these small ways.

Besides the fulfilling activity of helping others, I was surprised to find that I met MANY people I may not have who were big supporters of the community. Not only that, but existing relationships were enhanced with people who were willing to step up, help others, and be the star of the encouraging local stories the community really needed to read during this challenging time.

Never, under normal circumstances would we have been motivated to dive into this line of work, or would it have been as warmly welcomed. This was perhaps the best year for charity work and it is smiling faces from front-line workers that are the biggest reward. Thanks 2020!

Part of me feels a little bad for celebrating the year that was so destructive to so many across the globe. I am thankful, inspired and empowered knowing that a challenging year overall has yielded such amazing rewards and prospects. As the sun goes down on such a fantastic year, let us be ready for an even better one in five days.

This movement is gaining momentum and now is being curated by Hive account@thoughtfulposts to whom I have delegated some #hive @thoughtfulposts/thoughtfulposts-introduction-or-a-thoughtfuldailypost is where you can get the details and please consider delegating to help make positivity extra rewarding.