Editor’s note: Sarah Chick is HQ Raleigh’s events manager.
RALEIGH — When you reflect back on history across the US, or even globally, there have been few times in which we have said, “these are unprecedented times in which we are living.”
I cannot tell you how often in the last few weeks that I have read that very same line and reflected back to moments of my life like 9/11 or the 2008 crash to name a few. I thought for sure there would be few things in which I would still be able to use such a slogan for a description of the current times. And yet, here we are.
As a past counseling professional gone rogue as the HQ Events Manager (haha), I thought this would be a great time to stretch my writing muscles and instill some hope and examples of bravery and community amidst the chaos and change that COVID has inflicted.
While it has been a tumultuous time, rampant with a variation of emotions, and some days feeling full of debilitating defeat — I think it warrants us to ask, “what is normal now?” and search to find the things we can embrace during this time. Helen Keller said, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it.” In the last few weeks right here in Raleigh, we’ve seen an abundance of change and adaptation happen that I truly believe can only come from a city this mighty.
Sarah Chick
While we could spend time focusing on the variety dilapidation which this virus has caused, I think it’s also crucial to look at the creativity it has evoked and what has been born out of such hardship and strange times. I remember vividly one of the last days we worked downtown in our physical space. Orange cones lined sidewalks and streets within a matter of a few hours throughout downtown in order to prepare for closures of restaurants and allow for ease of curbside pick up and carryout options.
It was such a heart-warming sight. The Raleigh community has once again been the birthplace of great creativity, togetherness, and miraculous generosity.
We want to highlight some of the selfless and admirable ways in which Raleigh has promoted local, gone virtual, or rallied to be “better together”:
The Arts: Visit Raleigh has compiled a list of virtual tours including past ballet performances from the Carolina Ballet, access to the NC Art Museum virtually, and the NC Symphony has virtual options as well.
The Carolina Ballet production team, with their performance schedule on hold, has also been putting their skills to good use by sewing cloth masks, which are being distributed by the local organization, Covering the Triangle. Find out more about Carolina Ballet’s mask project here!
Wildlife: The North Carolina Zoo is hosting Virtual Visits so you can still scope out the animals from the comfort of your own home with your family.
Development: Talk about growth and investment! Did you see that Bandwidth is laying some big roots in Raleigh with not only a big price tag, but big opportunities for the job market?
Restaurants: Raleigh restaurants are one of the biggest groups that are coming together and overcoming. #HopeforHospitality and supporting the community of hospitality workers is one thing that a local Raleigh entrepreneur, “G” Patel, has taken on the task of. Read more about this mission and what other restaurants have joined in here.
Our Gateway pals at Union Special have done a tremendous amount of good to feed folks in need and continue to whip up creative eats for the Raleigh community. Check out their website to order online and buy a loaf, give a loaf!
Yellow Dog Bread Co. is also doing a “give a loaf” drive, to benefit the South Wilmington Street Center that serves homeless men here in Wake County. The Center is at capacity, feeding and caring for 200 men a day. Each $4 “Give a Loaf” will provide one loaf of Honey Wheat bread to the Men’s Shelter, and also aid in keeping the Yellow Dog team baking! Check out their Instagram for more information here.
Award winning Chef and Raleigh local Ashley Christensen is selling her “Don’t Forget Kindness” shirts and other items to help support local restaurants. Each of her restaurants has its own spin on the shirts design. The AC restaurants have also been working to feed and support healthcare workers locally! She’s also offering up shirts, hats, giftcards, and cookbooks as well. Grab your merch here!
RALToday also compiled a list of local restaurants still doing curbside pick-up and carry out! They’ve also featured places in which you can still grab local produce, too!
Did you know? You can leave donations for the restaurant industry local in NC by clicking the link here to support the Restaurant Strong Fund.
For the Kids: Many local tangible businesses, including crafting and creating companies, have opted to make DIY kits that you can order for adults and children alike! Our Gateway neighbors, Craft Habit, have local delivery, free shipping on $50+ orders, and local delivery available. They also have DIY mask kits available for purchase. Marbles Kids Museum is offering virtual services as well where you can learn and explore from your own home!
Shopping: One Raleigh favorite is still essential and operating. Briggs Hardware has everything from novelties to hand sanitizer (yes, it’s true) and other practical items you’ll find yourself in need of during the stay-at-home order. You can still shop local and get the essentials!
Fitness: More of our neighbors doing good things virtually! Check out Arrichion Yoga hosting online classes so you can get your yoga on from your living room. Move locally with Evolve Movement who is hosting pilates and yoga virtually. Blue Lotus Yoga is also offering online classes at this time as well. You can also join 110 Hot Yoga for some online live streaming classes! Triangle Rock Club is also hosting online classes at this time for fitness and wellness.
Feel Goods: Have you seen what Bridge the Gap Mission has been accomplishing over the last month? Nothing short of amazing! Check out this article about how Bridge the Gap has rallied with food trucks and restaurants to help feed people in need (kids, elderly, and more) during such a time of financial uncertainty for many.
Another industry not immune to the devastation of COVID is the wedding and events industry! But, love is still in the air! Read this heart warming story about tow Dr’s at Duke Hospital had an impromptu wedding celebration on what should’ve been their wedding day!
Although we are all on lockdown, that hasn’t stopped the Green Chair Project from delivering furniture and other necessities to families in need! Check out their Twitter to learn more about the Green Chair Project, and consider donating!
COVID hasn’t stopped the Alliance Medical Ministry from providing healthcare to uninsured adults in Wake County! Check out their efforts to provide healthcare to those in need via telehealth here.
Still ready to roll? Visit Raleigh crafted that includes all events that are still on the books and hoping to be held as planned!
Have anything inspiring or exciting to share from Raleigh and the surrounding areas? Please reach out to us via email or social media and share the good vibes with our community!
At HQ we’re working diligently to help support the entrepreneurial community! Tomorrow HQ’s own Jes Lipson & Jason Widen as well as Bill Spruill will join together to talk resiliency and “Being a Founder in a Time of Crisis”. Dave and Justin, also known as The Enlightrepreneurs, are moderating this panel. The Enlightrepreneurs exist to help purpose driven entrepreneurs elevate their lives, their business – and the world.
Register Here
As we continue to weather this storm as a community and individually, we want you all to know that we are still here to support you, even when we cannot be together in the physical sense. We’re here to tackle and embrace a future time in which we return to the space and some sense of normalcy; whatever this “new normal” may look like. We’re beyond grateful for all of you and your support as well!
While we miss you all so very much, we hope that you are staying safe and healthy. We cannot wait to be back in the physical space hearing the conversations of creativity, the bustle of entrepreneurial energy, and our most feared, “beers out!” 🙂
