Wow! Just like that the Christmas Season is once again upon us. Today as I sit and write my Christmas message, I reflect back on what has been a very difficult year for our community. Even with all this sadness there has been much kindness and many positive stories that show why we have such a wonderful community.
Looking back over the year let me begin with some of the positives that we saw starting with our Come Home Year Celebrations. It was an exciting and wonderful time to see family and friends come together after being apart for such a long time due to the pandemic. This past year we also saw several new businesses start within our community and we have seen the ground break to start the new Marine Atlantic Administrative building.
On September 24th, our community and the lives of many have changed forever because of the impacts of Hurricane Fiona. This will be a hard and very different Christmas for many families throughout our community and other surrounding areas. We want you all to know you will be in our thoughts and prayers throughout this holiday season. We all know the devastation the storm caused and how it has changed the face of our community forever; however we have also seen so many acts of kindness. Christmas is a time for giving and a time to come together and there has never been a time when we all need to be there for each other as much as this Christmas Season.
During this difficult time we have had so many people and organizations come to the aid and help our communities. I want to give thanks to our Canadian Military, RCMP, our local Fire Department, Red Cross, Lion’s Club, Salvation Army, Ground Search and Rescue, Highway Enforcement, Canadian Rangers, mental health supports and so many more. The acts of kindness from all over the Province and Country to care for our Communities have really touched us all.
As Christmas day approaches our thoughts are with everyone near and far affected in any way by Hurricane Fiona. Knowing that this will be a difficult Christmas, we will all be there for each other as a community and get through this together. If you are able, please give graciously to our local food banks, Women’s Centre and any other Christmas drives.
I would also like to extend greetings to those who are not able to travel home, our veterans, our military serving, those in hospital, those less fortunate and of course our seniors.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our staff members, volunteer fire department, our project employees and all the workers that have been here for several months as part of the response team and their families. Thank you all for what you have done for our community.
On behalf of my family and the families of the entire council we would like to wish you and yours a very merry Christmas and a healthy and safe New Year. Heading into the New Year remember “we will be stronger than the storm”. God Bless and have a safe and Healthy Christmas.
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