The holiday season is often a time of personal reflection, an opportunity to remind ourselves of the good things in our lives. It’s also a perfect time to remember the amazing acts of kindness and generosity that make Minot such a wonderful place to live.

We see examples of the best of our community every day, but perhaps even more so during the holidays. It’s further proof that our sense of pride and responsibility cannot be diminished, even by something as serious as a global pandemic. In fact, tough times often bring out the best in Minot and its residents, and our city’s history bears witness to that fact. These traditions are permanently entwined into the fabric of our community. These traditions, year after year, showcase who we are as a community. And there are examples everywhere.

A local restaurant in December served free meals to health care workers in recognition of the heroic efforts of everyone in the health care industry not only this year, but every year. A host of other businesses, organizations, and individuals recognized health care employees this year, too, by providing food, gifts, prayers, and emotional support.

The Souris Valley United Way recently put out a call to individuals and its community partners when it needed assistance to help other local agencies fill their holiday needs. The response was overwhelming, as expected, and the influx of gifts and funds will help make Christmas a happier time for many local families.

Individuals and businesses continue to provide meals and other items for the Men’s Winter Refuge, which offers a safe place for men in need during the coldest months of the year. The often-homemade meals are a welcome gift to those utilizing the shelter and those who manage the facility.

We see this over and over: Someone on social media offers free diapers or clothing or other necessities to any family that needs them, and then the cause morphs into a long list of other people contributing more and more items, helping more and more families in our community.

Every year, partnerships with individuals, businesses, and government agencies help bring the Minot Sertoma Club’s Christmas in the Park light display to life. The event is always popular, and the funds raised are contributed to a multitude of local organizations. This year, Christmas in the Park offers a perfect socially distant way to enjoy the holidays with your family.

At the City of Minot, we see our community’s goodness every year when goodies and other items are dropped off at our Police Department, Fire Department, and other offices of our organization. On behalf of all City of Minot employees, I want to thank everyone for their generosity. I can assure you that these gestures are greatly appreciated, and they are a welcome reminder that our community recognizes and supports the work done by our employees.

These are only a handful of examples of the goodness that lives and breathes in Minot. We all see it every day, and not just during the holidays. This time of the year is an opportunity to remind ourselves that the organizations helping the vulnerable populations in our community need our help all year long – and to thank everyone for their already strong support of these local agencies.

Sometimes, though, the small gestures of support can go unnoticed or unrecognized, but they are vital to the ongoing growth and resiliency of our community. We all have a basic responsibility to help our fellow residents when we can. It’s called being a good neighbor, even when those you’re helping might be complete strangers. For everyone who has donated their time, talents, or treasure to help their fellow Minot residents, I say thank you. You are what makes Minot the amazing city that it is.

If there’s someone you think has made a significant contribution to our community, I’d invite you to nominate them through the Mayor’s Citizen of the Year video contest. The winner of this award will be announced at the virtual State of the City on Feb. 2. Videos should be between 1 minute and five minutes in length. Submissions are due by Jan. 15. Videos can be submitted to the City of Minot via a link on the City’s website at minotnd.org/mayorschallenge. Let’s recognize those citizens who continue to make our community a better place to live, work, and play.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from everyone at the City of Minot.

Sincerely, City Hall.

You can find more about what’s happening at the City of Minot at minotnd.org, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. We’d also encourage you to sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter on our website.