SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Residents in downtown San Diego are hooting and hollering every night to show their appreciation for health care workers and first responders, and the celebration of frontline workers is spreading to other neighborhoods.
In one part of downtown, at 8 p.m., people step out onto their balconies, open their windows and make noise or flash lights in honor of those who are facing the COVID-19 pandemic head-on.
The trend first emerged in Italy as a way for citizens to show appreciation for health care workers, and similar celebrations have started across the U.S. and around the world.
East Village resident Sydney Prather told 10News, “It’s cool to see everyone out on their porches at the same time, and everyone’s yelling and they’re all in it together.”
In North Park, another group has organized a celebration that starts one hour earlier. Group members use pots and pans or just their voices to express their gratitude.
“In a difficult time like this, it brings joy to your heart to be able to show your appreciation,” North Park resident Maria Desantis said.
Desantis said participation has been steadily growing since the weekend when the group had only 3 or for people.
For her, it’s about showing appreciation to anyone serving others right now.
“It's those in the grocery store the laundromats; the post office, the guy that delivers my mail, it just an appreciation for those we don't think to appreciate as well as all the first responders,” Desantis told 10News.