During times of crisis, Calgarians have always come together to offer help and assist those in need. Finding a way to contribute gives us a sense of purpose during uncertain times. But with the challenges we are currently facing and shelter in place orders, it can be hard to find ways to connect and to support. Parents are now balancing working from home and supervising their child’s education which presents new stresses. And somedays it’s hard to find a ray of sunshine when the news can cause so much anxiety. Today we’re sharing some resources that we have found helpful in the last few weeks, and we hope they will offer some assistance to you, our dear readers too.
How to Help
Kid’s Help Phone is getting more calls than ever and is looking for donations of support. Local local non-profit organizations also need our help and the Calgary Foundation has information on how you can contribute. Calgary business Friday Sock Company is donating proceeds from the sales of their mismatched Coronavirus socks to the Calgary Food Bank. Restaurants have been hit hard and have started an Eat Later campaign. The purchase of a gift card will assist them in weathering the storm until their doors reopen. These are just a few ways we can keep local businesses alive and non-profit organizations doing their important work.
Today, the Sam Team is launching a contest to support local restaurants. For the next four weeks, we’ll be highlighting a local eatery and giving away a $50 gift certificate to the winner. Head over to our Instagram account for all the details. It’s a small way that we can show the love to a few restaurants that are struggling during these tough times.
For Parents and Grandparents
Juggling working from home and taking care of the kids while schools are closed presents many new challenge for parents. Calgary’s Child Magazine posted Homeschooling Guidance During the Pandemic with some great tips for moms & dads facing this new reality. Although, some days it’s just a matter of survival, and keep in mind that If Your Kids Are Alive and Fed You’re Doing Just Fine! Little ones will enjoy this list of podcasts for kids featuring topics ranging from story time to at-home science projects. Or check out Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems for a fun, entertaining art based activities. The Kid’s Help Phone lists some great ideas for tweens and teens on how to stay connected in their article How to Cope With Social Distancing During Covid-19. Unicef offers a helpful post on How Teenagers Can Protect Their Mental Health During Coronavirus. And Grandparenting in the time of COVID-19 has changed with social distancing, but this website shares some unique ways to stay in touch with family.
When You Need a Pick Me Up
If you’re looking for something to pick up your spirits here are a few ideas. Watch the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra perform a musical masterpiece. Join the Vine Arts wine club and they will deliver directly to your door. Learn something new to keep your mind busy. We like the unique courses and celebrity faculty of the Master Class. If you want to brush up on your social media or digital marketing skills we recommend The Social School, a Calgary based educational institution. Laughter is always a mood brightener, and we got a kick from the COVID-19 musical parodies of Chris Mann. Lastly, if you’re feeling low and need some support, the Mental Health Foundation has a Text4Help tool to support wellness during isolation and stress