Comm: A Year of Heroes

MEDICAL & HEALTHCARE HEROES

Wow! Where do we start?! From Covid Testing to Telehealth to Drive-thru Prescriptions to Vaccinations, the East Jordan Family Health Center & Pharmacy staff has had our backs all year. Our Jordan Valley EMS Authority has worked day and night to respond with professionalism, optimism and speed to every frightening moment we've encountered. And how do we begin to honor the heroes at Grandvue Medical Care Facility? This past year, they have not only had the responsibility to care for and protect our beloved family members and friends, but had to keep their spirits up when many felt abandoned due to visitation restrictions. What a weighty, but impactful and awe-inspiring job.

"Food Insecurity" was a new terms that popped up the past year and it hit our communities as hard as anywhere. With school, restaurant and church closures, so many sources of meals for people - especially our most vulnerable - suddenly vanished. Enter our "Food Heroes" - starting with the Commission on Aging / East Jordan Senior Center. When congregate meals were allowed, they never missed a beat; and when they weren't, COA organized an army for meal deliveries and pick-ups. The East Jordan Public Schools worked overtime to provide the meals to students that schools closings had interrupted. And when EJPS couldn't keep up, our Local Churches, Restaurants and Service Organizations helped. Close! Open at 25%! Close! Open for Take-out & Delivery Only! Close! Open at 50%! Our poor Restaurants and their staffs. But they have been very creative and resilient. Left: The Foundry. Right: Winter Aerial View at Shorts :-) Also, a big salute to the essential workers at our Local Grocery Stores, Convenience Stores, and Farm Markets who kept their shelves stocked, their workplaces clean and safe, and their attitudes positive.... which wasn't always easy.

FOOD HEROES

EDUCATION HEROES

Obviously, the students, teachers and staffs at our schools have been through the ringer this year and deserve all sorts of medals and awards for their perseverence! The challenge wasn't just keeping up with regular teaching and learning, but worrying about and supporting everyone's physical and mental health. Speaking of physical and mental health, thank you to The Depot - Jordan Valley Teen Center for helping to keep our kids engaged and for providing lots of snacks! Kudos also to North Central Michigan College, Raven Hill Discovery Center, the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra and others for providing online classes, talks, concerts and more to keep all of us mentally "stimulated" and growing.

FINANCIAL HEROES

There were many federal and state programs to aid businesses and indiviuals financially through this terrible time, but we would like to praise our Local Banks for their handling of the PPP Loans/Grants and for everything else they did to help us! There is nothing like knowing you hometown bank has your back. Another local hero is the Charlevoix County Community Foundation which set up an Urgent Needs Fund this year to address, of course, some of the community's most urgent needs.

COMMUNICATION HEROES

One of our biggest heroes of all is the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce. Beginning in April 2020, the Chamber has put out at least one (usually more) eCapsule each week with every scrap of information anyone could possibly need about life in the community! Businesses, Schools, Services, State Info, Financial Help, Health Department, you name it... they covered it! And Mary Faculak is now the Queen of Zoom! 'Chamber Chats,' board meetings, and zoom calls with every alliance and statewide group that could possibly be of any help to us. Thanks, Mary!

A FEW OTHER BIG LITTLE HEROES

EJ Laundry: Not only did they offer a really good deal to drop off laundry during the pandemic, but they were also the first to offer Wifi for students now online. Later the City and Great Lakes Energy also set up Wifi hotspots for students. Charlevoix County Transit: Added extra services and, at times, eliminated fares. Constantly adjusted their schedules and services depending on community needs. Local Stores: Special hours for seniors and curb-side pick-up. MItchell Graphics: Special deals on signs and labels for Covid. Charlevoix County News: Free listings for businesses struggling to survive. North Bays Design Group: For designing a beautiful 2020 Visitors Guide despite the awful circumstances of Covid cancellations and other problems! :-)