Thread by @jesse_helmer

One year ago today, #OEVldn faced a major explosion on #Woodman Ave. I remember feeling the shake from inside my home. I headed outside, as did many of my neighbours. The fire and smoke were terrifying, and it was the beginning of a long night ahead.

THREAD #WoodmanStrong /1

When I think back to a year ago, what sticks out in my mind is not the tragic explosion but the many acts of heroism, big and small, we witnessed that night and in the weeks to follow. /2 #ldnont #oevldn #woodmanstrong

I remember seeing neighbours gathered on porches, helping those evacuated find shelter. I remember seeing people gathering up socks, pyjamas and books to help evacuated kids get to sleep in a new place...someone run across the street with pet food to feed evacuated animals. /3

I was at the scene for many hours that night, and witnessed first hand the incredible bravery of our first responders @lpsmediaoffice @LdnOntFire @MLPS911. The @ltcldnont buses parked a few blocks away to take people to refuge at a community centre. /4

In the days and weeks that followed, the community response was remarkable. #Ldnont-ers, businesses & orgs stepped up to support those affected, donating goods and funds. #oevldn orgs including @oevca, BIA, @lifespinorg, @LibroCU and others stepped up to organize the response. /5

And then a particularly beautiful expression of community happened: hearts started to show up at the scene of the accident. When I think of #Woodman, the scene is not of an explosion but of a wall of hand-painted hearts as the background for a community coming together. /6

Many people worked behind the scenes to make sure that those who were most severely impacted received as much support as possible. Thank you to those folks who stepped up when their neighbours needed them. /7

The people who lost their homes have shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. We're going to need that same community spirit and that resilience as we recover from the pandemic. /8

A year ago, we saw #oevldn and #ldnont at its best: a community that cares about and supports one another.

To everyone who stepped up for those in need: thank you. Let’s let the legacy of #WoodmanAve be about showing up for others in their times of need. #WoodmanStrong /9