Submitted By Richard Reichert
When life gives you lemons…make lemonade. When our Healthcare Heroes put our safety ahead of their own…make signs, face shields and sandwiches. Or, maybe just pull out the ‘pipes and entertain the neighbors!
Elmhurst residents and business owners are stepping up during this worldwide health crisis and each is making a significant difference in our community. “It’s amazing what people are willing to do to support our healthcare workers and first responders. Folks are finding creative ways to lift our spirits during this time of great uncertainty. Our community has really risen to the occasion,” shares Paul Koch, an Elmhurst native, local business owner and podcast co-host.
A ‘Sign’ of the times
Elmhurst residents Paul and Colleen Kelty, owners of the City Centre UPS Store (242 N. York), have found their own way to support those working at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. What started as a donation of signs at the Hospital’s campus to show support for staff, has turned in to a community-wide effort to let those workers know how much they are appreciated.
“My wife and I are Elmhurst Hospital Foundation Ambassadors and felt it was important to help in any way we could during this pandemic,” Paul said. “Temporary signage is something we provide, so it was great way for us to contribute.”
The Keltys have also helped the City of Elmhurst with signage showing support for first responders and other critical City workers.
Music warms the heart
A member of the famed Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band, Elmhurst resident Brian Costello was feeling down. He had planned a trip to Dublin with his sons and old friends for St. Patrick’s Day, because his Shannon Rovers were scheduled to play there.
“My wife was tired of me moping on the couch, since the travel ban kept us from taking this dream trip,” Costello said.
She convinced Brian to get off the couch and do what he loved on St. Patrick’s Day…play his bagpipes! He went into his yard, which backs up to the Prairie Path just west of Spring Road, and played for anyone who could hear. This started a daily ritual for Costello, who plays at sunset each evening, for at least 10 minutes for his neighbors and Prairie Path passersby.
“I’ve become quite the local social media sensation!” he laughed.
More than just books
Although the doors to the Elmhurst Public Library (EPL) were temporarily closed to the public on March 14, the Library is still functioning, albeit in a much different manner. Services are still being provided online or by telephone. Library staffers have let their creative juices flow and are now delivering innovative online content due to social distancing directives.
The EPL is also doing what it can to support the efforts of local healthcare workers fighting the Virus on the frontlines.
“Our assistant Makery director Sarah van der Hayden has taken one of the Makery’s 3D printers offsite and is ‘printing’ parts of much-needed face shields medical professionals wear while caring for COVID-19 patients,” said Mary Beth Harper, executive director of the library. “She can print and assemble approximately 35 of these each week.”
Food for the frontline “troops”
Workers at Elmhurst Hospital made this sign to express their thanks to Market Table, which has been serving food delivery options to feed these “Healthcare Heroes,” that is, all the staff at Elmhurst Hospital.
Unable to host its usual high-end, intimate gatherings because of the pandemic, Market Table (130 N. York) continues to serve delicious culinary creations Monday thru Saturday via delivery or curbside service. More significantly, they’ve ramped up production at their York Street location to help feed our Healthcare Heroes and support staff at Elmhurst Hospital.
“Everyone wants to support and assist those on the frontlines that are helping those that are severely ill. Market Table decided we needed to do something to help out,” said manager Christine Falkenberg. “We are making between 1,400 and 1,700 boxed sandwich lunches each week for hospital staff.
The lunches are delivered twice each week and are much appreciated at the Hospital.
These are just a few stories of the caring gestures of support in our community. As always, the citizens of Elmhurst can be counted on to do their part, keep their heads high and do what it takes to keep each other safe.
This lemonade’s not too bad. I think I’ll have another.
To learn more about these inspiring Elmhurst “Pays it Forward” stories, check out the Etown LowDown podcast, available on iPhones, Androids phones, or at etownlowdown.podbean.com.
