Summer 2020 Hometown Messenger

ON THE FRONT LINES On the front lines of the COVID pandemic have been the health care workers continuing to care for the ill and injured. At St. Francis Regional Medical Center, their work has not gone unnoticed. “From the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota, our community has provided an enormous amount of support to St. Francis staff,” said St. Francis’ Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Sue Miller, RN. While St. Francis has restricted visitors and volunteers, community members have found creative expressions of gratitude: chalk art, residents holding signs outside hospital windows, cards and food deliveries. In April, the South Metro Jeep Enthusiasts organized a Jeep parade through the hospital parking lot to show solidarity and support for health care workers. “We’ve had many generous offers of snacks and meals, uplifting letters and artwork, monetary donations to our Caring for Caregivers fund, and donations of homemade and store-bought personal protective equipment,”Miller said. “The incredible amount of encouragement and support from residents and businesses in our surrounding cities is definitely appreciated by all the members of our St. Francis family.”

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Each week, more than 60 volunteers prepare boxes and bags of food for Saturday distribution. In the beginning, the groceries were provided by Shakopee households and volunteers who used donations to purchase food. "Within weeks, non-profit agencies were donating an incredible amount of food to help feed our neighbors," Robinson said. As of mid-May, more than 600 families participated in the weekly food distribution events. "These efforts require an incredible team of unselfish, amazing volunteers who make a difference," said Robinson. "Each effort, no matter how small or large can make a huge difference in someone’s life." While ShakoStrong has since shifted gears beyond the grocery program, board member Carrie Ferris says the organization continues to focus on helping Shakopee residents in times of need. "With the support of our generous donors, we plan to assist those individuals and organizations which reach out for specific needs. ...We stay committed to our neighbors and community. Please reach out, and we will assist how we can." HELP AND INSPIRATION Help can come in many shapes and forms. Many Shakopee residents have been using their sewing talents to make handmade face masks, first for front-line health care workers and

later the general public. On April 25, the Shakopee Fire Department collected more than 1,000 homemade face masks through the governor’s statewide drive. The masks were donated to local senior care facilities. Even the youngest community members have been lifting the community’s spirits with inspirational chalk messages, window clings and scavenger hunts. “These gestures have a way of uniting us while everyone is stuck at home and missing friends and loved ones,”Mars said. “We remember we’re not alone; we’re all in this together.”

St. Francis Regional Medical Center has received many cards and demonstrations of support.

SHAKOPEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS STEP UP When the governor announced the closure of Minnesota schools on March 13, Shakopee Public Schools jumped into action to care for students who would soon be spending their days at home learning online. Since mid-March, the school district’s food service team has served more than 50,000 meals through pick-up service at Shakopee High School and 13 community drop-off locations. “We know that times are tough, and we want to make sure our children don’t go hungry,” said Food Services Manager Deb Ross-Coen. Shakopee teachers and parents are adjusting to a new world of distance learning as school staff deliver educational experiences online. Principals, deans, paraprofessionals, food service staff and custodians are working together to provide child care for essential families at Sun Path Elementary School. “I am proud and appreciative of the people working in our school district and how they are responding to meeting the needs of our community in these challenging times," said Superintendent Mike Redmond. "Together, our community will meet the challenges we are facing with grace, dignity and deep compassion for our neighbors."

Shakopee West Middle School tech teachers Josh Tyson and Mike Sundblad used old transparency film from overhead projectors to make more than 100 face shields and attach them to visors. Teachers have also distributed face mask sewing kits to Shakopee families.

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