This year’s holiday season looks and feels different than ever before. While the holidays are typically stressful for many, COVID-19 has brought with it added pressure and worry that affects us all.
This year we saw family get-togethers and vacations cancelled, and social distancing become the new normal. We saw schools switch to virtual or part-time learning, causing added stress for parents and students as they had to adopt new and unfamiliar routines. We also saw businesses struggle or close, resulting in financial struggles for families throughout our community and nation. For many, having funds to purchase gifts for loved ones or to prepare a holiday meal this year will be difficult, if not impossible.
Despite all of the challenges brought on by COVID-19, we also saw people coming together to help others during this difficult time, raising money through fundraisers or donating to local food banks and shelters. There’s no doubt that there is a greater need than ever before to support one another and offer a helping hand to those who are struggling. With this in mind, the Electric Boat Fire Department rallied together this year, raising money to “adopt” families in need this holiday season.
This Adopt-A-Family effort was headed by EB Firefighters Doug Harreys and Stuart Coleman, who made it their mission to ensure families in our surrounding community experience cheer this holiday season. Over the course of two weeks, the EB Fire Department raised $4,500 by selling t-shirts on the EB Forum, social media and through word of mouth. With the money raised, they will adopt both EB families and families in the area, purchasing gifts and providing them with a meal they can cook and enjoy together. The money raised by the Fire Department is enough to adopt seven families for the holidays. Starting today, December 15, the gifts and meals will start being delivered to the families, ensuring all are delivered by December 22.
The EB Fire Department has demonstrated that we can create our own holiday spirit by understanding and relating to the struggles our fellow community members are facing, and bringing some hope to those most in need. Caring, celebrating and being there for others is one holiday tradition that COVID cannot take from us. Thank you to Doug Harreys, Stuart Coleman and the entire EB Fire Department for your efforts to bring comfort to those in need this holiday season.
