If you live in Camrose, you may have noticed the heart hands popping up everywhere. From car decals to sidewalk chalk drawings, to windows of small businesses to online photo albums of local youth making the gesture. The symbol, along with other CUP initiatives, is meant to remind people that we may be apart but we’re not alone. “It’s about learning how to get through this together…Nothing brings comfort more than the feeling of togetherness,” says Michelle.
In addition to distributing free heart hand decals, sidewalk chalk and bubbles, CUP held an all-ages colouring contest, organized a community drive-by event, promoted local businesses through their Facebook page, created a “Paparazzi Club” for kids and teens to get involved on social media and more.
“We dropped these seeds and they started growing. And now, signs of (the Community Unity Project) are all over the place.”
Michelle is now focused on ensuring that the CUP message gets to everyone. “Now, we’re thinking about how we can we bring more to this? How can we bring some love to the food bank? How can we involve Centra Cam and the Camrose Association for Community Living — and all of the people… who are medically vulnerable, so they can be a part of this?”
Despite the project’s beginnings as a response to COVID-19, Michelle hopes her movement’s message will continue to grow beyond Camrose’s city limits and last long after the pandemic crisis is over. “We want to get people inspired so that this positivity train keeps going… It doesn't have to stop. Spread that message of kindness and pay it forward,” Michelle says.
