Why Community Matters
Local creativity is overflowing in communities as moms, dads, small business owners, nonprofit leaders and volunteers are finding new ways to communicate in this new world of social isolation. Their coping strategies and ingenuity are beyond inspiring!
We are proud to introduce you to these innovators in “Why CommunityMatters”, a series made possible by LIFEWTR.
Meet Michael Guariglia, Danbury resident and owner of the Touch of Class DJ.
Can you tell us if you or any of your colleagues are doing creative things at home to find joy and inspiration?
I am a small DJ Entertainment Business in Danbury, Touch of Class DJ. The coronavirus has totally shut down my business, as it should. We all need a "physical" distance. (I don’t like the word social distance). I understand why this shutdown is necessary. My colleagues around the state and, for that matter, the world, are doing some amazing things. They are going out on the balconies in Italy and DJing music to their neighbors to lift their spirits. Many in my profession are taking this time to clean up music files, equipment, review contracts, and, of course, practice our craft so that when we come back from this we will be even stronger for our clients. This too shall pass. In the meantime, keep the music in your heart, keep on dancing in your life and stay home. We will be Dancin' In the Streets" again soon!
Do you know of any local businesses or nonprofits innovating to serve communities during this difficult time? How?
I know of so many acts of kindness and community. There are small restaurant/bar owners who have stepped up to the plate. They are working around the clock to keep the community fed with home-cooked meals for families, donations of cooked food for hospital workers and everyone on the front line of battling this hideous enemy! They are not price-gouging because they are in the same situation financially. In fact, they are cutting prices for family meals so families can eat. While I live in Danbury, many of my small business owner friends in the food/liquor industry are in New Fairfield. Wow, is all I can say. Biscotti’s Restaurant in New Fairfield has always been a pillar of the community, the owner, Scott Haines has raised the bar. In addition, Bruno's Icons and the 440 Line have come out to support the community in such an important way. These restaurant owners had to lay off their entire staff and are basically doing all the work by themselves - ordering products, shopping, preparing, cooking, taking orders, etc. I can't even imagine being in their shoes. Hats off to all of them! I will continue to support these local establishments and I hope everyone does also.
In closing, we must have faith in something greater than ourselves that all of this is happening for a reason, perhaps it’s a time for us to re-evaluate our behavior and realize the importance of family and of life in general. We are but a speck of sand on this planet but together we make up humanity and it behooves us to look out for one another, be kind, compassionate, have empathy for those less fortunate and really love each other as we would like to be loved.
Please Stay Safe and Healthy. YOU are an integral part of everyone's survival.