By Lisa Allmendinger
Several Chelsea Kiwanis Club members met at St. Joseph Mercy-Chelsea Hospital Monday afternoon to present a $2,500 to Nancy Graebner-Sundling, CEO and president of the hospital. The donation will be used to serve meals to the about 200 front-line workers at the hospital.
“On behalf of all the employees at the hospital, thank you,” Graebner said. “It’s been almost two years (into COVID) and our colleagues feel like the community has forgotten them.”
The Omicron surge has hit the hospital particularly hard and health care employees have been caring for more patients than ever before.
With no end in sight, below, are a number of ways you can help.
- Food Pick-Up and Delivery:The hospital is paying to bring food to COVID units as many employees don’t have time to take breaks or lunches. We need some volunteers to help pick up these meals and deliver them to the hospital if the restaurant doesn’t deliver. Are you willing to be a driver? If so, add your name to the spreadsheet at this link on the “Food Pick-Up” tab. We will contact you with more information on dates/times and your availability.
- Clean Cars After Snowfall:After a snowfall, we are looking for people to clean off the cars of hospital employees. Imagine how nice it would be to get in a clean car after a difficult shift. If you are willing to clean off cars, add your name to the spreadsheet at the link on the “Car Snow Removal” tab. When it snows, we will reach out to everyone on the list with a time to meet in the parking lot. If you’re available that day, great. If not, no worries and maybe it will work out next time it snows.
- Food Distribution at Entrance: At random times over the next few months, we may want to give out hot chocolate, fruit or other little snacks as employees enter or exit the hospital. It’s an opportunity to say hello, give a smile and a thank you. If you’re interested in handing out items, add your name to the spreadsheet at this linkon the “Item Distribution” tab. Note that we will most likely ask that you stand outside the entrances and/or between doors wearing a mask in order to be COVID-safe.
- Donate: Donate money to the St. Joe’s Chelsea COVID-19 Response Fund at this link. Select “SJMC COVID-19 Response Fund” from the dropdown menu. These funds will support meals and other colleague needs.
- Send a note of thanks, inspiration and hope: Employees appreciate little notes of thanks or uplifting messages. Write a note that we can distribute and make someone’s day. You may drop off notes at the hospital main entrance with attention to Jaclyn Klein or mail them to SJMC, C/O Jaclyn Klein, 775 S. Main St., Chelsea, MI 48118.
- Donate: Donate money to the St. Joe’s Chelsea COVID-19 Response Fund at this link. Select “SJMC COVID-19 Response Fund” from the dropdown menu. These funds will support meals and other colleague needs.
Kiwanis President Larry Memmer said of the donation, “Kiwanis is about the community and children and we will continue to do anything we can do.”
He said even during this pandemic, the club has been working for the community and meeting regularly.
Publisher’s note: Please follow their lead and show the frontline workers your appreciation by choosing one of the ways above to help.
