Youtube video tribute salutes ‘unsung heroes’
An homage of positivity, praise and thanks to the “unsung heroes” and front-line workers putting their lives at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic holds special meaning for its creator Ronnie Haidar.
Haidar’s moving five-minute Youtube video tribute, titled Thank You to our Front Line Heros in Windsor-essex, features messages of gratitude from almost 50 local citizens from all walks of life.
The 29-year-old graduate student at the University of Windsor gathered together a diverse group of people, reflecting the multiculturalism and spirit of the Windsor-essex County community, and asked them to speak from their hearts.
The project’s special meaning came from his own heart, from his feelings of gratitude and awe for his brother and sister who are working the front lines in health care during these unprecedented times.
“It was an opportunity for me too, to finally express so much that I wanted to say to them,” Haidar said.
Only released Monday, the video, which was produced in collaboration with his friend and fellow student Attila Gombos through his In-depth Productions company, has already garnered positive feedback.
“People have said they didn’t know how to express their gratitude but one woman told me after she saw the video, ‘I was overwhelmed. This is exactly how I feel put into a video. I shared it immediately,’” he said.
Featured on the video are Mayor
Drew Dilkens, former mayor Eddie Francis, local MPS and MPPS, representatives from education, sports, tourism and entertainment, families and the Windsor Star’s managing editor Craig Pearson.
“I really wanted to make sure it was a reflection of the Windsor Essex community,” Haidar said. “That’s why it’s a mixture between elected officials, prominent people in our community but it also includes a student, different persons from different ethnicities, speaking in different languages … because I think that’s one of the treasures of living in this community, we’re so diverse and multicultural.
“And everyone has a unique experience during this pandemic and they want to express it in their own words.”
Participants spoke of the sacrifices of front-line workers in all areas, from bankers to health care, volunteers to delivery drivers, grocery stores to emergency services and the many unsung heroes behind the scenes.
“I hope this was conveyed (in the video) to show the wide spectrum of people that are on the front lines and are the front-line heroes,” Haidar said.
“It’s great that we’re reaching out and we’re thanking our health care workers, our truck drivers and grocery workers — that’s wonderful.
“But it’s also important to incorporate everybody else in between. No matter what position title they have, they’re absolutely integral to the success of our community and the success of overcoming this pandemic.”