By Sobia Moman
What started off as a Facebook post has become a community-driven fundraiser in Vanderhoof to increase kindness throughout the region.
Claire Nielsen, made a post on the Vanderhoof community Facebook page on Nov. 23 to bring attention to the donation drive she created.
Once residents donate, they receive a heart sticker intended to put on their home or vehicle windows. All of the proceeds raised will go to the St. John Hospital Auxiliary.
This past year, protesters across the province impeded operations of healthcare workers at various hospitals.
“I was really affected by the push back and the abuse that a lot of the frontline workers were taking. In the protests throughout the province, nurses were trying to get to work and they were spat on and called hateful names,” Nielsen said.
All of the negativity that was occurring around B.C. left Nielsen asking: “Where is the love?”
In order to bring back cheers and support for hospital staff, Nielsen secured a supply of heart stickers and took a donation bin down to Dollar central. Krystle Teichroeb of 54 Apparel Graphics designed the stickers.
“I just wanted to remind the community that we aren’t out of this yet and hospitals and frontline workers are still bearing the brunt and we want to let them know that we haven’t forgotten them,” Nielsen said.
The more donations made to the hospital auxiliary, the better, but Nielsen’s sole focus is not on raising a specific dollar amount.
“We just want to get the hearts into people’s vehicles so that when they drive around, there’s an expression of solidarity and kindness towards the frontline workers,” Nielsen said.
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