‘Choose’ campaign aims to highlight community positivity

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 16, 2022.

The City of Medicine Hat’s newest campaign – the Choose campaign – is encouraging Hatters to share the ways in which they choose positivity during difficult times on a virtual forum.

Created in partnership with Sandfly Marketing Inc. and funded through the Family and Community Support Services grant, the Choose campaign features written posts from well-known Hatters like mayor Linnsie Clark and city councillors, as well as community residents. There’re no requirements as to what must be included in a post, so long as positivity, compassion, empathy or optimism are at the heart of what’s written.

“Our community has faced a lot of challenges over the past few years and many of our neighbours, friends and loved ones are struggling,” Clark said in a Monday statement. “Sometimes when we are struggling, things like kindness, patience, generosity and hope can feel difficult and we can lose sight of the impact we have on those around us. Obviously a campaign isn’t going to fix everything, but maybe it will serve as a gentle reminder to each of us of the incredible power we have to make a positive difference.”

Colleen Graham, director of corporate communications with the city, hopes the Choose campaign will inspire people within the community and provide them with happiness as they read and engage with each other through the campaign forum.

“The last two years have been very challenging,” Graham said in a statement. “The pandemic has taken a tremendous toll on our economy and mental health, and social media has contributed to a significant divide in our community … but Medicine Hat is full of remarkable people with great perspectives and we want to amply those voices.”

The Choose campaign kicked off Tuesday and can be found on Medicine Hat’s Shape Your City public engagement website.