As we all know, unless you have been living under a rock, 2020 was an extremely difficult year.
Frankly, living under a rock would have not been such a bad way to go; at least you could avoid Covid-19. Here at the firm, we have chosen to go on living life as close to normal as possible while social distancing, wearing masks, assessing symptoms, and handwashing protocols in place. These procedures have seemed to do the trick, and we are going to be doubling down on what we do for 2021 because it seems like this virus will be with us for most of this next year. We are going to continue to be vigilant in 2021 because each of us has known someone who succumbed to the virus this past year. I know several, unfortunately.
Beyond Covid-19 (was there much beyond Covid-19?), we also had to endure political turmoil throughout the year. Political parties have split further than ever before, and even a “Is this really happening?” attack on the U.S. Capitol at the beginning of the New Year. We have witnessed that and more. I am by nature an optimist, I like to think that we will, as a country, come out better as we have in the past with wars, attacks on our country, and civil unrest.
Due to Covid-19, we have witnessed many business closings, people have lost their jobs or have had hours cut, and are simply in need of assistance. This has been an extremely tough year, perhaps unlike any other with economic turmoil.
Our firm has always tried to live by the words “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” This is the golden rule. Some people call it karma, but, with karma, you don’t do it because you expect something wonderful to come back to you, you do good because you know it is the right thing to do, and you want to help others, especially the community that you live in.
We have always worked to be good corporate citizens, assisting people and charitable organizations along the way but this year we picked it up a notch. We donated 15 sets of beds, bedding and nightstands to the New Life Furniture Bank, an entity that helps find furniture for people who were formerly homeless. We donated to a local theater company, which has had “lights out” now for about 10 months. We also made a significant donation to the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Apartment Association, which comes together once a year to create a large fund for people in need of money for housing and utilities. We have also helped individuals in need throughout the year.
Giving back to the community is what I think is going to get us through the rest of the Covid-19 period. We may stay home at night, not socialize like we use to (if at all), and read books and watch Netflix like never before but we will get through this by performing acts of kindness. Our firm will continue to give back to the community in 2021 in hopes to make it a better place. We ask that you join us on this ongoing task.
