The Lake Effect
Every year, the only time Buffalo makes the news is because we had a giant lake effect sno
w storm. This year, I am proud to say we have come onto people’s radar because of our November Project tribe. Whether on social media or in conversation, outsiders will say some combination of “Look at all those people”, “I didn’t even know that many people lived in Buffalo”, “Where is Buffalo?”, or “How are you doing this?” It’s simple, I call it “The Buffalo Effect.”
See, unlike most other larger cities, Buffalo (Yes, Buffalo has over a million people) is not full of transplants. We are a city full of people that still keep in touch with their high school friends and probably still see them on a regular basis. Buffalo is a place where your parents still live in the house you grew up in and going over for Sunday dinner is common. Buffalonians know their co-workers and probably their families as well. If any problem comes up like car, home, or business, a proud Buffalonian will say, “I got a guy. Here’s their number, they’ll take care of you.” We do have some transplants in Buffalo, and they soon find themselves absorbed into the friendly and welcoming culture Buffalo offers. Loyalty and integrity is the only way to stay in business and maintain relationships around here.
When November Project started to grow, I began to see whole workplace teams show up together because one person encouraged them all to go. People would see friends in NP photos and message them about going, and they were there next week. Families starting showing up together. This is a city where people really support one another, and just like NP, if you ever bump into anyone out of town and you’re both from Buffalo, you probably have three mutual friends in common within two minutes of chatting. We may not be a metropolis, but we’re proud. We may not have all the things the big cities have, but people will literally give you the shirt off their back if you need it more than them. Buffalonians rally behind things they believe in, and November Project is no different.
The first email I received from NP said:
“Who says you can’t get more than 100 people in a workout?”
“Why can’t you be the fastest pledge group to get passed?”
“Why can’t you have more people coming than DC?”
I am proud to say that this city and this tribe made all this happen, not because of me or Jason, but because of ‘The Buffalo Effect.” In a time where we’re becoming more disconnected, this city is becoming more connected because we live and die by our sports teams, our families, our friends, and most of all–our community.
