What's Happening in Calgary, AB…

Several Calgary small businesses have been both pleased and surprised to find themselves the recipients of an anonymous gift.

Mysterious blue benches have been showing up outside the premises of firms across the city. No one knows who is making them or where they are coming from, but so far, all the recipients have been grateful to receive them.

The benches are painted blue, and have the message “#have a seat”. The business owners have reportedly had no luck in trying to figure out who their mysterious benefactor is.

They also include a typed note, that explains the gift is from “The Bench Project” – its intention is to provide a space for people to “have a seat and enjoy the city”, and asking them to pass it along to someone else if they can’t use it.

According to those firms that have been given one of the benches, they get used a lot, and build a sense of community as people stop to relax and enjoy spending time in the city.

Whoever has been placing the benches has set up a Twitter account to let people know about upcoming “bench bombings” and other plans to make the city a more enjoyable place to spend time.

A project like this can bring community members together in a way that is fun and exciting. Flyer printing firms can help by creating materials that let people know about it, and also what they can do to build that same sense of community.