Today, the second set of winners of the #KWFeelGoodFridays initiative were announced. Two weeks ago, the Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area (BIA) and Downtown Kitchener BIA launched the “Feel Good Friday” social media campaign in an effort to recognize individuals who are “doing good” for others during the COVID-19 pandemic and showcase our community’s incredibly caring spirit.
Kitchener’s Sarah Francis launched a new lawn sign campaign called “Frontline Love” earlier this week to show gratitude to frontline workers during the pandemic. People can purchase a sign to show support to employees of essential services and all proceeds go to support the United Way COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund. Childhood friend Louise – who saw the impact of the sign campaign first-hand when a police officer drove by her home and acknowledged her sign with a smile and flash of his headlights, nominated Sarah.
Mother-daughter duo Shari Woods and Sarah Woods-Weber have converted their Waterloo children’s costume shop Dream Power Costumes into a personal protective equipment (PPE) production site. They are using their 3D printer to make face shields and are sewing surgical caps and isolation gowns for healthcare workers, which they are donating. They are also sewing fabric masks and recently designated a special day where they left dozens of free masks on their porch for neighbours. Friend and nominator Erin, was so grateful her spouse, who works at a local hospital, could use their surgical caps. He also took over 50 more caps to work for his colleagues.
We could not be more proud to share the stories of how these wonderful individuals have helped our community and hope others will feel inspired by their compassion. If you know someone who is “doing good” for the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, please nominate them for #KWFeelGoodFridays. Each week, two winners will receive $100 Uptown dollars and $100 Downtown dollars and we’ve got two weeks left! Nominators also get a chance to win after the contest ends. Post your story with the hashtag #KWFeelGoodFridays and tag @uptownwaterloo and @dtkitchener, or email it to uptownwaterloobia@gmail.com or dtkitchenerbia@gmail.com.
Let’s keep shining the light on the generous spirit of #kwawesome!