April 23, 2024
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They donated masks, distributed food and even shared their platelets

Many staff at Frankfort 157-C helped others where they could

By Denise M. Baran-Unland
Teachers Osberg and Bakke worked with Hickory Creek student council members to write and send more than 50 “thank you” cards to the staff at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, in appreciation of their essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Teachers Osberg and Bakke worked with Hickory Creek student council members to write and send more than 50 “thank you” cards to the staff at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, in appreciation of their essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo provided)

From various donations to cards of encouragement, staff at Frankfort School District 157-C spread kindness and healing in different ways during the pandemic.

According to a news release from the school district, here are ways they worked to help others.

Erica Frederick

Frederick, a teacher at Hickory Creek Middle School, quickly recovered from COVID-19 after she caught it last October.

So in early 2021, Frederick spent more than three hours donating her plasma. This plasma was to used in convalescent plasma treatments for others who are fighting COVID-19 and could benefit from this treatment.

Frederick later learned that her donation was sent to San Antonio Regional hospital in Upland, California.

Rebekah Munch

Munch, a social worker with the district, rounded up her family to volunteer at a couple of Northern Illinois Bank drive-thru food distributions.

Munch and her family helped load cars filed with bags of groceries and pre-packed boxes. Each event provided food for more than 2,000 households.

Erin Johnson

Johnson, a kindergarten teacher at Grand Prairie Elementary School, taught herself how to sew so she could address the shortage of facemasks.

She wound up making and distributing more than 100 facemasks for her family, friends and the greater community.

Nicolette Dumaresq

Dumaresq, a school psychologist at Hickory Creek Middle School, along with her neighbor, provided free facemasks to local businesses and members of her community, which is Monee.

Dumaresq’s neighbor and a friend of the neighbor sewed 1,500 facemasks. Dumaresq coordinated orders, deliveries and pickups.

Organizations that received the facemasks included Advanced Auto Parts, Dollar General, Jessie’s Country Kitchen, South Suburban Hospital, Christ Hospital Radiation Department, St. James Hospital, Monee Village Public Works Department, Monee Fire Department, 7-11, Taco Bell/KFC, Pizza Hut, Quality Inn Hotel and Red Roof Inn, according to the release.

Tiffany Osberg and Sarah Bakke

Teachers Osberg and Bakke worked with Hickory Creek student council members to write and send more than 50 “thank you” cards to the staff at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, in appreciation of their essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic.