AMHERST, N.S. – With the negativity surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, Andrew Cameron wants to do something positive for his community.
While he’s not a frontline health worker like his sister, who is a doctor in Fredericton, he decided to help by using his voice to encourage people to share stores and send thanks to others during a period of social distancing and isolation.
The Great Amherst Podcast was born and that’s been followed by the Great Amherst Gratitude Project.
“I’ve been thinking about doing a podcast for a while and was thinking someone in town should do one, giving people an opportunity to talk about the great things they’re doing,” Cameron said. “There are a lot of people here with interesting stories to share.”
As much as he was kicking the idea around himself, he figured it was something for someone else, or an organization like the Amherst and Area Chamber of Commerce. However, with the restrictions put in place with COVID-19, he came to realize someone had to do something to give people an outlet to talk.
“I guess when this all started, I decided that someone would be me,” Cameron said. “I decided to do it, to talk to local people about what’s going on in our community. It’s an opportunity for people to talk about what they do in the community and why it’s important.”
Born in Amherst, Cameron played minor hockey and baseball and graduated from Amherst Regional High School before going off to college, getting his education degree and teaching in Japan before moving to Yarmouth and later back home to Amherst, which is the headquarters of the real estate development firm he leads, Northumberland Properties.
He said the podcasts, available at tgapod.com, have been well received and he has featured Amherst Mayor David Kogon, former radio broadcaster Geoff deGannes, Dawn Ferris of Autumn House, Ryan Reynolds of Sculpt Health and Wellness, Denise Corey of Cumberland Public Libraries and Natasha Pearen of Trinity-St. Stephen’s United Church.
He said the response has been very good.
“People are listening and enjoying what we’re doing. The comment I get back is how much people appreciate Amherst people talking about Amherst stuff,” he said. “They have also been very good at suggesting people to talk to. I hope it’s one of these things that the more I talk to people the more the word gets out. I know I will learn and get better at it.”
Being a teacher, he said part of the program’s goal is to inform and educate the community.
The gratitude project, that is being shared on community radio through Tantramar Community Radio 101.7 FM, started out of a conversation he had with Amherst’s mayor about town Public Works employees going above and beyond to help people.
“I thought there are a lot of people in the community who deserve a thank you for the things they do,” he said. “There are also people out there who just want to say how grateful they are to live here. Amherst has its share of dings and problems, but so does every other community, but for me there is a lot more positive and negative.”
