Twelve ways you can help others this holiday season
The poignant history of gift giving in Nova Scotia
Small acts of kindness can have a big impact on others. With the holiday season ahead, it’s a great time to slow down, practise gratitude and offer support to others.
Nova Scotians aren’t strangers to kindness – in fact, we have a long history of building unity and support systems through difficult times. In a few short days, we will mark one of the darkest moments in Nova Scotia’s history. On Dec. 6, 1917, a French cargo ship laden with nearly three metric tons of explosives collided with a Norwegian vessel in Halifax Harbour.
The resulting fire aboard the French ammunition ship led to what was the most powerful artificial explosion globally, prior to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. About 2,000 people died as a result of the Halifax Explosion. Nine thousand more were injured by flying glass, debris, collapsing buildings and resulting fires.
A tsunami generated by the power of the blast surged about 18 metres, further decimating the city. Everything within an 800-metre radius of the epicentre was completely obliterated. More than 1,600 buildings were destroyed.
Halifax lay in ruin.
Unity in numbers
In the days, weeks and months that followed the explosion, people from around the world rushed to the aid of Nova Scotians. A blizzard followed in the immediate aftermath, hampering the response effort. Misery on top of misery.
That didn’t stop them. The helpers rushed in anyway.
A beloved example of east coast gratitude is rooted in the holiday tradition of sending a massive Nova Scotia grown tree to the people of Boston, some of our first friends from outside of Canada who helped us in 1917.
We could all use kindness right now
2020 marked another historic event for people all around the world: the year COVID-19 entered our lives. The global pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we live. It’s called on all of us to support one another, while keeping each other safe.
Nova Scotians are also still mourning following a horrific mass shooting that took the lives of 22 victims in Portapique, N.S.
Let’s not forget our strength. We are still #NovaScotiaStrong. Our empathy is what makes Nova Scotians intrinsically who we are – a caring people. Whenever times get tough, as they are right now, look for your helpers and offer help, too.
12 small ways you can make a difference
Generosity comes from the heart. Offering support doesn’t have to be costly to be impactful:
Thank our first responders and emergency personnel for the difficult job they do every day by putting their lives on the line to protect Nova Scotians.
Give a handwritten note to someone you haven’t reached out to in the last year. Send it via snail mail (people love to receive something other than bills/flyers).
Offer to walk the dog for someone who is ill, injured or time-strapped.
Drop off homemade cookies/sweets or a jar of pickles/preserves to a lonely heart.
Phone a loved one, family member, friend. Tell them how much they mean to you, be authentic.
Donate a hat, gloves, scarf, socks and other necessities to a homeless shelter.
Give non-perishable food items to a food bank.
Sing holiday carols in your neighbourhood.
The gift of time spent is one we can all manage. Share some of yours by volunteering at a soup kitchen, animal shelter, warming centre or visiting with family.
Shovel someone’s driveway, walkway or front steps this winter.
Drop off a meal to someone going through a difficult time.
Consider donating to a local charity that’s making a positive difference in your community. Our organization exists to inspire and empower all Nova Scotians to achieve wellness through active and healthy living. We’re committed to developing and delivering programs and initiatives that enhance the physical and mental well-being of all Nova Scotians.