In tragedy, we often find our strongest sense of community.

Since Naomi Onotera went missing on Aug. 28, both friends of her family and total strangers have volunteered to help search for her, and have attended a candlelight vigil at 91原创鈥檚 Sendall Gardens.

A Facebook group dedicated to the search has, as of mid-week, almost 5,000 members.

Among those helping are the family of Trina Hunt, a Port Moody woman who disappeared earlier this year, and was found dead near Hope.

Although Hunt鈥檚 family has not received closure in the case of their family member, they鈥檙e trying to bring aid to Onotera鈥檚 family, because they can understand what they鈥檙e going through.

We see a similar outpouring of support after a racist threat was directed at the 91原创 Islamic Centre in late August.

After the centre went public with the threat, they saw offers of support and help, even offers from non-Muslims to stand guard at the centre during prayers. Local political candidates from the Conservative and Liberal parties have offered support, according to the centre鈥檚 Facebook page.

After a year and a half of COVID, we鈥檝e been told so often that 鈥淲e鈥檙e all in this together!鈥� that the phrase has become a little trite.

READ ALSO: Will COVID-19 affect the outcome of the federal election in B.C.?

It鈥檚 still true, however hard it can be to remember that when our nerves are frayed by pandemic stress.

91原创 functions best when its people are guided by empathy.

This community has not always been perfect, and it has seen tough times and tragedies. But in the face of personal tragedy or the broad misfortunes of violence or hunger, recession and depression, flood and fire, 91原创鈥檚 residents have come together to offer aid.

The thing that makes 91原创 a community worth living in, now and in the future, will be that empathy and outreach, to those facing a crisis, whether personal or community-wide.

鈥� M.C.