Small Business; Big Heart

Through this perspective my friend has come to better understand the negative impacts of homelessness and illicit drug use on our city and how important it is for individuals step up and contribute toward creating solutions.

After witnessing and becoming educated about the compounding problem with hypodermic needles (which I wrote a column about on June 10th, 2018 and you can read here- https://cfjctoday.com/column/624257/whats-needling-me-hypodermically-speaking) my friend spoke with one of the organizers of the Needle Buy Back Program and purchased 5 sharps bins for use around the city to help support harm reduction endeavors.

Although he makes all of his philanthropic contributions without fanfare, I think that it’s important that we are all aware of stories like this.

We all need to hear about people who are leaning into understanding, demonstrating compassion and taking action so that we are encouraged to do the same. It isn’t enough to simply voice our indignation about the problems in our community or condemn those who we do not understand, especially when it is within our power to help.

Faithfully and knowledgably many local business owners are at the forefront of the effort to improve Kamloops, despite their mounting frustrations with the city’s growing pains and the challenges of being a small business owner in this province.

While policy makers are laboriously talking about the gaps in social programs and how to improve them (which is a good thing), many business owners are in the trenches doing the heavy lifting.

We talk about the economic value of “shopping local” and while that is very significant, there is also a major added value for the consumer; when we patron the people who are invested in our community we guarantee a better place to live.

Small business owners regularly clean up alleys, sponsor fundraisers, support our charitable organizations, clear snow from the sidewalks, hire and mentor youth, employ people with disabilities and much more.

They are the city’s eyes and ears, boots on the ground and backbone.

My friend is only one example of countless business owners and their staffs who contribute in generous, creative and practical ways. They do not do it for glory, benefit or because they have “extra” money and time, but because they legitimately care about improving the lives of others.

We need to insist that small business owners are respected and supported by both our government and our wallets because so many of them aren’t just talking about the problems in our community; they’re doing something about them.

Let’s follow the example of and join with the small business owners with big hearts who are constantly reminding us that it’s easy to be a complainer, but it’s better to be a contributor.

by Refraction

Small Business; Big Heart

Our Community