We have seen businesses step up through changing their business models, hold drives for foods and basic goods for Brighton households, or simply provide
a charitable hand and give a meal or loaf of bread to someone looking to close the gap. But very early on in the pandemic, we had the pleasure of connecting
two businesses with some of Brighton’s own frontline workers. Both of these businesses happened to be brand new to the neighborhood, and yet they felt
the needs to support Brighton healthcare heroes.
Before
understanding the severity of COVID-19, BMS did routine check-ins to make sure we understood what was happening within our local businesses. I had
stopped by Little Pecan Bistro owned by Elizabeth Liu, where I always strike up a conversation about what is going on in the neighborhood and things
going on in our own lives. Elizabeth has a way of making anyone feel welcomed who stops by her small restaurant on the corner of Washington and Winship
St. With case numbers growing at an exponential rate back in May and our hospitals and healthcare workers working day and night with longer shifts,
Elizabeth wanted to provide a token of appreciation to these workers and asked if I could get her connected with any of the surrounding healthcare
providers to provide donated meals. Carly Ring, Clinical Liaison and Community Outreach for Presentation Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center, reached
out at the same time to Brighton Main Streets and was trying to organize this exact form of support. We immediately connected Elizabeth and Carly and
the two women got to work in getting 20 meals together for the healthcare workers at Presentation.
Brato Brewhouse + Kitchen, owned by Jonathan Gilman & Alex Corona, wanted to provide a charitable contribution to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. Only
a few days into lockdown, Jonathan reached out to Brighton Main Streets and wanted to know how they could deliver donated meals to hospital workers.
We connected Jonathan with St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and their workers were not only treated to Brato’s delicious dishes, but a couple of weeks later
Elizabeth Liu from Little Pecan Bistro made a contribution of donated meals to the frontline workers. These two new businesses to the Brighton neighborhood
stepped up to show healthcare workers how much their work means to our neighborhood. Showing healthcare workers how much their work means was a common
charitable act among Main Street businesses, and these two businesses were not the only ones who contributed to supporting Brighton neighbors, frontline
workers, and families during this very challenging time.
The common thread in the 2020 Season of Giving stories have shown that during tough times, turning towards one another for support makes us a more resilient
and connected Brighton. Our community has stepped up for our neighbors, our neighbors have stepped up for businesses, and our businesses have stepped
up for our community.
Help Brighton Main Streets by considering the Power of Giving Ten.
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If this story inspires you, keep this power of 10 going and show your support by giving $10. Your $10 may not feel like a big deal, but when combine with
10 of your friends and neighbor’s who join you to give $10, that starts to make an exponentially bigger impact. By working together we can do more
than any of us can do alone. That’s the Power of 10.
Looking for more inspiration? Read more Power of 10 stories.