Coffee drive lifts spirits at north hospital
“With the second wave of Covid19 infections peaking, we know that the hospitals are taking enormous strain.”
With healthcare workers and patients both emotionally and physically drained, a group of volunteers decided to brighten up their day at Montana hospital.
The volunteers handed out coffee and biscuits as well as good wishes to staff and patients on Friday.
The initiative started after Sinoville police station’s Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk spotted the lengthy queue at the Covid-19 testing station opposite the hospital on a particularly hot day.
Upon feeling the desire to do something about it, he contacted Just Imagine Properties owner Theo Erasmus who agreed to make gazebos available to provide shade at the testing station.
“When Johan phoned me I thought it would be a great idea to assist the hospital, we also discussed how we could get involved and support the hospital,” Erasmus said.
“With the second wave of Covid-19 infections peaking, we know that the hospitals are taking enormous strain and that medical staff and other hospital workers are pushed to their limits.
“Most of the senior management staff and medical workers’ leave has been withdrawn in order for them to serve the public.”
Erasmus and Van Dyk previously teamed up with the Sinoville crisis centre during child protection week where they visited schools to lead anti-bullying campaigns.
After reaching out to the hospital, Erasmus found that the biggest need for healthcare workers and patients was food and drink as well as well wishes and support from the community.
The Sinoville crisis centre and Just Imagine Dream Team started going to the hospital at shift changes every morning with tea, coffee and biscuits which was served with a motivational card.
“We had a fantastic response from people on social media and there’s many people who’d like to get involved in supporting our frontline workers,” Erasmus said.
Anyone wishing to write an encouraging/motivational note to the healthcare workers or patients can mail it to erika@justimagineproperties.com.
Anyone wishing to volunteer their time and assist at the coffee stations can contact Colleen Strauss from the Sinoville crisis centre on 078-109-5337.
A prayer session for both healthcare workers and patients was recently held at Montana hospital.
Participants including residents and paramedics prayed for the health and safety of those inside the hospital, showing appreciation for the medical professionals at the frontline of the pandemic.
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