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WARREN, Pa. – During Christmas week, members of the Warren Lions Club, the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry, the Commissioners Office, and the community engaged in a coordinated delivery of water, sports drinks, breakfast snacks, hot chocolate, coffee, and other materials to six healthcare institutions in Warren County to support frontline workers in their fight against COVID-19.
(Photo submitted. Angie Reynolds and Kaitlyn Levesque, Warren General Hospital HR Representatives, and Missy Eckman, WGH Nurse Practitioner, receive snacks, drinks and personal care goods from Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry President Jim Decker and Warren County Comissioner Jeff Eggleston. The goods were purchased with funds from the Frontline Worker Support Program.)
With the increase in COVID-19 cases in Warren County, the healthcare system has been stretched to its limits and in response, the WCCBI and County Commissioners, in conjunction with the Community Foundation and Warren Lions Club launched the Frontline Worker Support Program to provide additional food and supplies to frontline workers.
“In the words of Coretta Scott King, ‘The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members,’” Warren General Hospital Director of Business Development and Marketing George Lilja said. “Warren General Hospital is grateful to all who aided our frontline healthcare workers. This program is essential for supporting us through these difficult times.”
(Photo submitted. Mark Evans and Rick Seager make a delivery on behalf of the Frontline Worker Support Program.)
Cash donations have been received by the program along with generous donations of materials from Warren Walmart and Tops Markets among other local businesses. White Cane Coffee has donated hot chocolate and provided over 30 pounds of coffee at wholesale prices. Total Evolution has provided granola bars and trail mix at cost and free labor. Individuals interested in making cash donations that support the purchase of materials for frontline workers, go to the WCCBI.org website or mail checks payable to the WCDA to 308 Market Street, Warren PA 16365. Organizations interested in donating materials should contact Jeff Eggleston at 814-584-2203.
“The WCCBI is pleased to be a part of this program,” WCCBI President Jim Decker said. “Special thanks to Walmart and White Cane Coffee for their support for the week one distribution and to all the individuals who are making this effort successful through their donations.”
Organizations receiving materials included Warren General Hospital, the Rouse Home and Suites, Warren Manor, Kinzua Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Cambridge Warren Senior Living, and the Watson Memorial Home. All organizations have had COVID cases and have dealt with staffing issues due to quarantine protocols and other safety measures.
“Today was a terrific experience with delivering food and drink to the Warren Manor Nursing Home staff,” Warren Lions Club member Mark Nelson said. “They were really appreciating. Thank you, Lion Jeff, and the WCCBI for orchestrating this.”
(Photo submitted. Mark Nelson delivers water on behalf of the Frontline Worker Support Program.)
The next round of support is already being planned for the week after Christmas and the hope is to expand the program to support more health-related organizations and workers in their battle against the global pandemic.
The overall goal of the program is to provide support for these healthcare heroes through January as COVID continues to be an issue in Warren County.
“The work of these healthcare professions is heroic, to say the least,” said Commissioner Jeff Eggleston. “I am happy we could this to help lighten their load and also let them know the community is 100% behind them.”
