CCFMM Thanks First Responders
They go to work everyday not knowing if their own health or welfare may be in jeopardy. Some walk into ERs and Urgent Cares, knowing they will see and treat Coronavirus patients and have to make tough decisions. Some care for seniors in nursing homes, but don’t always have the proper protective garb. Some are First Responders who go where duty calls in the community, never knowing what they might walk into. Some trust in God and step into hospital Covid-19 rooms, thinking only of ministering to the spiritual needs of sick patients who are allowed no visitors.
During this pandemic, the Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan (CCFMM) saw the need to recognize, thank, and pray for those on the front lines in our diocese. As a small gesture of appreciation, CCFMM ordered locally arranged fruit/treat baskets to present to First Responders throughout all 11 counties of the Saginaw Catholic Diocese. Two volunteer members of the CCFMM Marketing committee, Joan and Mary Beth, and their husbands had the honor and privilege of driving throughout Mid-Michigan delivering the beautiful (and heavy!) baskets.
At nursing homes from Bad Axe in the Thumb to Clare in the north and Mount Pleasant in the west, healthcare workers were delighted to step outside and find generous baskets of fruit and treats on their doorsteps.
In Saginaw, Fr. Andy Laframboise, who, along with Fr. Adam Mahar ministers to Coronavirus patients at Covenant Hospital, was surprised and pleased to find a basket at their rectory door that was heavy with fruit and a large variety of snacks to enjoy during quarantine. Brushing off thanks for all he and Fr. Adam do, Fr. Andy was more interested in thanking CCFMM and asking for prayers.
At a police station in Saginaw, a uniformed officer received the basket for himself and fellow First Responders with a smile and a sincere thank you.
For the CCFMM Marketing Committee members who delivered baskets, it was sheer joy seeing the smiles and delight of the dedicated First Responders throughout our diocese. Mandy Palmer, at the Tuscola County Medical Care Community in Caro, sent this thank you:
“Please send our appreciation and thank you to the Catholic Community Foundation. We greatly appreciated the beautiful fruit basket .”
The first thank-you baskets were delivered on May 13, the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima. Accordingly, we ask our Blessed Mother Mary to provide her loving protection for all those who selflessly care for our beloved senior citizens in nursing homes; who care for Covid-19 patients in our hospitals; who help and protect citizens within our communities; and who minister to the spiritual needs of Coronavirus patients in our hospitals.
According to CCFMM Executive Director, Kristin Smith:
“Caring for others and building our community is living the Life of the Gospel message of love. At this time of global pandemic, the Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan is happy we could reach out with thanks and prayers to First Responders within all 11 counties of the Saginaw Diocese.”