The Roberta Place tragedy related to the devastating COVID-19 outbreak has inspired the community to act and try to help wherever they can, even through music, dance and art.
The Barrie long-term care home on Essa Road has been in outbreak since Jan. 8 when it was declared by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. Since early January, 69 residents and one essential caregiver linked to the home have died after contracting the virus.
Hope Snow saw the struggles that many of her first-responder friends were dealing with on a daily basis and, combined with the dire situation at Roberta Place, it forced her to act.
“When COVID hit, there was an outpouring of support, but I started to see it dwindling, like compassion fatigue was setting in,” Snow told BarrieToday. “When the Roberta Place tragedy hit, I realized there was a need to step in and get the compassion going again.”
Reflecting the Light is a full slate of entertainment that has been recorded and edited into one show. The first event was held this past Sunday, but there were so many submissions a second show has been announced for this coming Sunday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.
“I love music and I used to sing. It makes me feel better and I know it makes others feel good, too,” Snow said. “I just needed some help with the technical side of things.”
That help came from local production company Daisy Ranger Events, which gave their time to edit everything together.
The first show was featured on the Reflecting the Light website as well as the Facebook group Barrie’s Live Music Show. It featured footage from a live show (pre-COVID) and recorded performances from other artists.
There was also footage of artwork from students and any other artists who contributed, which was then set to music.
The collaboration of music and entertainment is approximately an hour of an “uplifting and supportive” time, Snow said.
“I feel like this is just something people can mark down in the calendar and enjoy," Snow said. "The people in Roberta Place can see this safely from their rooms and maybe forget about all that has been happening, if even for an hour."
The next show on Sunday will air live on the Reflecting the Light website.
Anyone with submissions can also email them to [email protected].
