A generous community offers tangible and moral support

A parade of first responders paid their respects to front-line employees at Greenwich Hospital. They came from Greenwich and Westchester in police cars, fire trucks, even a helicopter flying above to salute the employees for all they are doing to save lives during the pandemic.

As of mid-April, more than 300 individuals and families had partnered with area restaurants and groups to donate more than 16,000 meals to staff , with the Greenwich Hospital Office of Development booking meal donations eight weeks in advance.

Community residents have also provided moral support, sending messages of encouragement and posting “thank you” notes on doors, sidewalks and social media.

Handmade thank you cards decorate the Emergency Department, cafeteria, physician lounge, command center and nursing units. The Yale New Haven Health online kudoboard – ynhhs.org/kudos – has thousands of messages.

“The community’s response to this crisis has been incredible,” said Diane Kelly, DNP, chief operating officer. “It’s heartwarming.”