A group of Calgarians are stepping to help others through a community Facebook group, the Calgary Herald reported.
Calgarians often speak about how the community came together following the 2013 flood, and it’s no different with the novel coronavirus pandemic.
It took just hours for an online Facebook group, called YYC COVID-19 Volunteers, to attract hundreds of Calgarians dedicated to helping community members affected by COVID-19.
Group co-founder Eric Prangnell said he was inspired by the city coming together after the flood and wanted to encourage the same response for those in need now.
“That’s what we need — positivity,” said Prangnell.
“I’m just really happy people are actually doing things. They are delivering food to people and shovelling walks and talking to each other. Complete strangers are forging friendships.”
– Alanna Smith, Calgary Herald
The Calgary community, once again, remains undefeated. It’s so great to people stepping up amid a time of pandemic. The total number of people in the group has blown up since Sunday increasing from 2,500 members all the way to 6,500+.
With posts going up faster than you can count, there’s clearly a large number of people in the city looking for and needing help.
“There is an immigrant family up in Harvest Hills that is in need! The items could be dropped off at the Harvest Hills Community Centre,” one user wrote at 1 a.m. Monday morning. “Items needed: oatmeal, ground beef, beef & chicken broth, carrots, celery, potatoes, milk, egg, dishwasher tabs, dryer sheets, Benadryl, Advil,, juice or pop.”
Less than 12 hours later, one person says they managed to pick up a number of the items listed. It’s stuff like this that’s so great to see in dire times.
Keep up the great work, Calgary.
On Twitter: @zjlaing