THUNDER BAY — The need to practise social distancing isn't keeping residents of a Thunder Bay neighbourhood from staying connected and supporting each other during the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than two dozen families in the Piper Avenue area in Westfort got together to create a music video that's helping to keep spirits high in a stressful time.
Many of the participants danced along to the hit song Happy by Pharrell Williams.
Colleen Dolce organized the project.
She says the close-knit neighbourhood has used social media to stay in touch, but she saw an opportunity to get people out of their houses to participate in something fun.
"We've known everybody for a long time. We socialize. This is a way we could see faces and see each other. It's silly and ridiculous and fun," Dolce said.
Referring to the title of the song, she said "We can make our happiness where we find it" these days.
Resident Andrew Berringer was happy to take part but said it's important for everyone to continue practise social distancing "to flatten the curve and make sure everybody gets back to their work and back to their lives."
As of Monday, the video had attracted about 7,000 views.
Dolce said she's gratified by how widely it has been shared.
"I think it's just telling, because people want to feel good. It's impossible to be unaware of all the hard facts out there about COVID-19. Nobody's ignoring that, but they need this other kind of stuff too."
