The holiday season is a time when we traditionally think of others. It’s a time to consider how fortunate we are, and to help those around us who may not be so fortunate. This year is no different. And yet, it is.

What if we all made a point of giving to our community during this holiday season? What would that look like? It would start with you. When you shop locally at your favorite retailer, the retailer has the funds to employ your neighbors. When you order food from your favorite restaurant, the taxes you pay are used to support our schools, build bridges, care for our streets and ensure that our garbage is picked up and our water is always available and clean.

It doesn’t stop there. When businesses have money, they support our local non-profit organizations. When people are employed, they have money to donate to worthy organizations, including religious organizations that provide critical services for so many throughout the year. Our business community provides time, talent and treasure to those that are the very fabric of support that enables us to care for each other.

Giving to our community this holiday season will provide the gift that keeps on giving. We’ve been through a tough year, and there are many who are hurt and suffering. It’s so important that we continue our support so that we don’t lose our favorite local establishments. We need to work hard now so that our future will be bright. It will take all of us, working collectively, to ensure that Longmont remains vibrant moving forward. We all need to be heroes.

Jodi Picoult, one of the authors of DC Comic’s Wonder Woman, addressed the idea that each and every one of us has the ability to be a hero. “Heroes didn’t leap tall buildings or stop bullets with an outstretched hand; they didn’t wear boots and capes. They bled, and they bruised, and their superpowers were as simple as listening, or loving. Heroes were ordinary people who knew that even if their own lives were impossibly knotted, they could untangle someone else’s. And maybe that one act could lead someone to rescue you right back.”

Our lives are surely knotted this year, but we do have the power to untangle others’. Part of this involves practicing extra patience. We may order food only to have it arrive cold. We may not find all of favorite products in our retailers. We may need to take extra steps to visit a local retailer and then ship goods to friends and family who are distant this year. Masks and social distancing aren’t fun, and yes, we are a little weary from all the effort. But, joining together, in the spirit of community, will ensure that we can move forward together without leaving others behind.

Let’s be intentional in our actions this season. It may take more patience, it may require giving more, but I think we can all agree that it’s worth it.

The Chamber is making an effort to make your efforts a bit easier. We continue to publish the Take Out Take Over list on our website, a list of eateries who are providing take-out and delivery services. We’ve added a new Retail list so that people can see what is happening in that arena. We also keep current with all information pertaining to COVID-19.

I wish you all Happy Holidays! Let’s work to ensure that 2021 is a great year for Longmont. Let’s practice being heroes.