Niagara Light of Hope

I have always been inspired by the September 11th Memorial, where bright pillars of light are shone in the sky on the anniversary of the attack. The simplicity of the approach and the use of light to not only remember the terrible events, but to appeal to the best parts of ourselves, where we love and hope together, was very moving for me. When the pandemic arrived and live events were no longer possible, I wondered if I could use some of the now idle equipment at PSI - Production Service Industries to create something similar. Working with the talented technicians at PSI, the idea evolved from a simple beam of white light to an animated light show programmed to a custom, dramatic soundtrack. The Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games agreed to sponsor it, and helped with some of the logistics associated with making it happen, including getting permission from the various municipalities to allow the Niagara Light of Hope to tour the Region. The result was better than I imagined. During a period of intense anxiety, the PSI team had a focus, and the Light of Hope itself was visible from kilometres away. All in all it appeared in all 12 municipalities that make up the Niagara Region, and debuted at the Regional Headquarters. PSI donated the equipment, and the crew donated their time. I will forever be grateful for the experience and humbled to contribute something during those strange and scary early days.