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Love letters from Port Alberni, the community with a heart

People got creative with their community heart hunt ideas on the weekend

People in Port Alberni got into the spirit of the Community Heart Hunt on Saturday, March 20.

Janis Joseph, who kickstarted the campaign in Port Alberni, sent along a few photos of hearts she saw on her drive around the city. Heart hunts, or community windows programs are trending in numerous communities around B.C. and Canada.

Someone also tipped us off to Maghen Girard’s act of kindness: laminated hearts with positive messages attached to trees and signs along the Stokes Falls trail.

“Port Alberni is certainly a community with a heart,” Girard writes. “Since I have moved here, I have loved seeing so many acts of kindness, some big and many small, that make this place truly feel like a connected community. This was one small token I could do to add positivity and hope in a tough time.

“The sayings were supposed to be little positive messages to remind us that we’re in this together and thinking of each other.

“I chose Stokes Falls as it has become one of my favourite places to be. It’s beautiful and many locals have no idea it’s one of Port Alberni’s hidden treasures.”

Organizers are hoping even more people will put up hearts for Saturday, March 28, to put a smile on their neighbours’ faces as we all hunker down at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).



Susie Quinn

About the Author: Susie Quinn

A journalist since 1987, I proudly serve as the Alberni Valley News editor.
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