We are living in historic, strange and, let’s face it, depressing times.
The coronavirus has impacted every person in our community in some way. Local businesses are shut down. Many of us are working or living in isolation. Opening Day, our region’s unofficial holiday, didn’t happen Thursday.
I don’t know about you, but I need to see something positive mixed in with stories about the virus’s spread, people dying and so many others out of work.
That’s why last week we launched Acts of Kindness.
When I am out speaking in the community, I tell people every corner of our community is neither all bad or all good. Our job as journalists is to paint that picture accurately.
That remains true when it comes to the impact of COVID-19. There’s a lot of darkness out there. But there are also everyday people doing heroic things to help their neighbors.
We have a responsibility to tell you those stories -- in addition to the stories about the virus’s impact.
This initiative builds on Kristyn Hartman’s weekly feature, Positively Cincinnati.
Kristyn has been one of our chief storytellers on Acts of Kindness.
She told us about La Soupe’s efforts to bring more meals to people in need. And then how a local restaurant donated its kitchen to help even more.
She told us about a 5-year-old leaving inspirational sidewalk chalk messages.
Raven Richard told the story of a teen who started a program to take deliveries to people who would be at-risk if they were to contract the virus. She also followed up on a story by Josh Bazan about the need for University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music students to borrow keyboards. Raven’s story detailed how the students received an outpouring of keyboard donations.
Ally Kraemer reported on a Brown County woman collecting pet food to help people be able to keep their pets.
Jake Ryle reported on restaurants raising money and helping medical personnel and employees who have lost their jobs.
We have all of these stories -- and more-- collected here on our Acts of Kindness page.
So if you feel like the news is all bad these days or you just need a pick-me-up, go to this page and hopefully you will find something to smile about.
We all need a few more smiles right now.
Mike Canan is the Senior Director of Local Media Content at WCPO 9. Contact him at mike.canan@wcpo.com. Follow him on Twitter or Instagram at @Mike_Canan.
