Above: Megaphone vendors (from left) Suzanne Kilroy/Huculak, Stephen Scott and Michael Geilen. Photo at top by Tyler Nix.

Suzanne Kilroy/Huculak

Myself and my eight sisters show love by participating in events honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and pray, smudge and share with our other sisters.

We’ve gone to the Women's Memorial March every year for the last 25 years because one of my sisters was lost on the street. I bring lots of candy, medicine ties and gloves or socks to hand out. It is good to see all the thousands of people who take part each year, drumming, singing, praying and walking together. I take all my family. And the love we share—my husband, my kids, my city, my sisters and all the people who support—couldn't make for a better Valentine’s Day.

My reason for marching each year is because in the 1980s and ’90s the Granville Street strip was working territory for many working women. I’m glad I freed myself from this many years ago, but my sister in the ’90s died a violent death by stabbing, and a string of about 20 went missing or were murdered. So my Valentine’s Day is like this now: sharing, remembering and standing up for ourselves and our sisters.

— Suzanne Kilroy/Huculak is a Vancouver vendor

Stephen Scott

I show my customers love because they represent my family and connection.

Losing my real family back east in Montreal has been very tough and challenging. So I show my new family here on the West Coast appreciation by giving them gifts for Christmas (cards, candy and chocolate), and on Valentine’s Day (more chocolate), not to mention Easter eggs and Halloween candy.

Valentine’s Day is an especially important time to show appreciation, love and respect for the people you love. The way I show my love is I give my family and customers treats and thank them for all the support they offer, because now, with COVID-19, we are not able to hug. But you can still show your love with chocolate, or cinnamon candy, or if you can afford them, flowers.

— Stephen Scott is a Vancouver vendor known for his colourful clothing and upbeat personality.

Michael Geilen

The way that I show my love is by helping as many people as I can. 

I work weekend graveyard shifts at the front desk at the London Hotel, every Thursday I shop for groceries for several tenants in my building, and every year I take part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer. Every two years, I shave my head and donate my hair for cancer wigs.  I give all of my neighbours gourmet hot cocoa every Christmas. 

— Michael Geilen is a Vancouver vendor. Since 2009, he has participated in the annual Ride to Conquer Cancer, a two-day, 200-kilometre cycle trek that raises money for cancer research and care through the BC Cancer Foundation. He also regularly donates his hair to Wigs for Kids, which provides wigs to children who have lost their own hair as a result of cancer treatment.

This column is managed by Nicolas Crier. If you'd like your query answered by a Megaphone expert, send it to: [email protected]