Light up the night

ST. MARYS - Flashing lights and wailing sirens enveloped Joint Township District Memorial Hospital's parking lot on a snowy Wednesday evening in a rousing show of solidarity with health care officials fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adults and children bundled up in winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves, held aloft signs and cheered as area police, sheriff, Ohio State Highway Patrol, fire and other first-responder vehicles slowly made their way by.

Cynthia Berning, on her first day as Grand Lake Health System's new president and chief executive officer, had planned a speech but was rendered nearly speechless by the people who had come out for the Light up the Night for Heroes event.

She thanked the community for coming out before throwing the switch to light the Tree of Hope. St. Marys Intermediate School students then moved in to hang the ornaments they had crafted on its branches.

"I am just so pleased for our health care workers, that they're getting this recognition. It's very heartwarming, especially coming from the children," Berning said.

She said she was deeply touched upon seeing so many children showing support for health care workers.

"It's been a difficult year full of lots of challenges. For the community to recognize that and just thank them for their efforts means so much more than me thanking them, than our senior management thanking them," she explained. "That's what we're here for. We're here for our community."

Moments earlier Dr. Lance Bryant, the hospital's chief of staff, spelled out the tree's significance.

"We're excited to share a special moment with you as we light up the Tree of Hope that will serve as a reminder to our staff, patients and the community that brighter days are ahead," Bryant said. "We are looking forward to a healthy 2021."

The event was the brainchild of St. Marys fourth-grade teacher Kim Krugh, hospital staff and local law enforcement and fire department officials.

Intermediate school students made posters and ornaments for the night. They were excited to get to work on the project but even more so to take part in the evening tree-lighting and show of support for health care workers.

"I don't think it hit them until being here," Krugh noted. "Even me, I knew what I wanted to do, but then once they started parading, it's just like the floodgates opened. Tears. It's heartwarming."

Not only are the doctors and nurses to be commended for the Herculean task of combating a pandemic but also the maintenance and cleaning staff, pointed out Krugh and Lesia Arnett, Grand Lake Health System executive director of development, marketing and outreach.