Today, we wanted to take a moment to express gratitude to the many individuals and groups that have helped make Love City Strong’s progress in 2020 possible. Although this year has been challenging to say the least, we are overwhelmed by the constant kindness and support of so many different individuals and groups that have helped us remain true to our mission and purpose.
First, a huge thank you to our many donors and grantors for making our programs possible. This year we are particularly humbled by the generosity of Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI), and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP). Each of these foundations allowed us to both extend and modify grant funding in order to address community needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their flexibility has been vital to our successes this year, and has helped us make real differences in the lives of hundreds of St. John residents. Since the beginning, our Board has continuously helped fund our projects and has kept us on track so that we can continue making a big impact on St. John for years to come. Thank you Tom Secunda, John McInnis, Jarrod Bernstein, Ian Samuel, and Tenesha Keyes for your exemplary leadership and support especially during such unprecedented times. Thank you to our team for working so hard all year, and constantly pivoting to address multiple challenges while remaining supportive of each other and committed to your community. Your tireless dedication is a constant inspiration. There are dozens of St. John businesses and licensed professionals that help by lending their technical expertise to the work that we do. We would like to extend a special thank you to Big Planet, Cutting Edge Construction, J&D Woodworking, Joel Penn, Ralph Carbon, Rebecca Reinbold, and St. John Projects for working alongside us to make a difference this year, and in years past. Nothing that we do would be possible without key organizational partners in the public and private sectors. In 2020, we are so grateful for the support of the CDC, FEMA, High Tide, Island Health & Wellness Center, Love City Mini Mart, Papaya Cafe and Bookstore, Paradise Lumber, ShoreIQ, Skinny Legs, Starfish Market, St. John Brewers, the St. John Community Foundation, St. John Hardware, St. John Rescue, Sosa’s Food Truck, Tony’s Kitchen, the Virgin Islands Department of Health, the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services, the Virgin Islands Fire Department, and VITEMA just to name a few! The challenges we faced as an organization in 2020 have brought our staff closer together, and renewed our commitment to our clients and supporters. This year has reminded us that life is full of uncertainties, and in order to be truly prepared, we must be flexible and willing to overcome obstacles by working together. We must also remember to be grateful for those in our lives who lift us up and support us in our time of need. We encourage everyone to take a moment and extend your thanks to the important people and groups in your life. Take the time to express your gratitude, and in doing so, renew your commitment to making your community a better place.
Almost a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s understandable that many are starting to develop a sense of emotional burnout that some are calling “covid fatigue.”
The sense of a never ending struggle against an invisible threat may cause people to let their guard down. After all, it can feel wrong to continue to rearrange your life and practice all of these new habits if your risk seems nonexistent. However, this behavior is precisely what leads to surges in COVID-19 cases.
As cases begin to increase globally, particularly in the United States, anecdotal evidence suggests that “covid fatigue” is playing a major part. People are tired of not seeing their loved ones, and staying socially distant, and making dramatic shifts in how they interact with the world.
What’s troubling is that this societal shift is about to converge with the holiday season; a time when people around the world come together with loved ones and celebrate long standing traditions with their communities. These celebrations usually occur indoors, in large groups, and almost always involve older members of one’s extended family or community.
Given that most of us have not seen our loved ones this year due to the pandemic, it can be tempting to completely relax our habits for the holidays and to act as though we live in a world free of risk. The sense of comfort and nostalgia that the holidays give us seem like the perfect solution to our pandemic woes. Unfortunately, the traditions that many of us crave are exactly the kinds of scenarios that put us and others at risk.
It is more important than ever that we begin to workshop creative solutions and start new traditions in order to celebrate the holidays during the pandemic. Whether gathering in smaller groups with immediate members of your household only, taking more time off of work or school to allow for adequate quarantine on either side of holiday travel, or making celebrations entirely virtual, any amount of mitigation will be better than none.
Here are a few key questions to consider when making holiday plans this year:
- What risk are you placing on others (particularly seniors or those who are immunocompromised) with the celebrations that you are planning?
- How can you modify your normal plans to allow for social distancing, or even to have events outdoors rather than indoors?
- For those traveling, what is the status of the virus in your community, and the community that you’re traveling to? Is it fair to put a strain on another community’s healthcare system, or put loved ones in another community at risk, for the sake of not celebrating the holidays in your own community?
- Do you have the resources and time to get tested and self-isolate before celebrating the holidays with people you do not live with?
- Should you set boundaries and expectations with others (and avoid those awkward conversations about why you won’t be hugging anyone this year) ahead of time?