A Richmond resident put out a call to invite people to share interesting short stories to keep residents entertained during these difficult times.
However, Sophia Zhang, a long-term community volunteer, didn’t expect to receive around 200 submissions within a few weeks.
Most of them, she said, are inspiring experiences that could help restore people’s faith in humanity.
Zhang, chair of a local non-profit WS immigrant and Multicultural Services Society, launched the storytelling activity among her circle of friends and her organization members as one of the Culture Day events.
“I originally was afraid to read some rant about people complaining about how bad the pandemic is and how it has turned the world upside down for over a year,” laughed Zhang.
“Instead, many of them shared acts of kindness that they were able to receive from their friends, family members, or just random strangers. These little gestures not only put a smile on their faces but also motivated them to do something meaningful for others.”
For example, some seniors are grateful that their neighbours regularly checked in on them, asking if they needed any grocery shopping help, added Zhang.
Most storytellers are seniors, youth, veterans, immigrants and refugees, indigenous people, people living with disabilities, poets and writers, artists and entrepreneurs, single moms and solo-living immigrants, said Zhang, adding that they are all trying to support each other and find some fun activities to do over the holidays.
On Nov. 28, Zhang also hosted a sit-down community meal to encourage people to come together while having some wine, food and fun.
“Winter and the ongoing Omicron variant are making this holiday extremely tough for many, but it’s such a blessing to see people are supporting each other,” said Zhang.
