Children’s Artwork to be Distributed to Healthcare Facilities in Celebration of Nurses’ Week
More than 2,500 inspirational pictures created by local children to boost the spirits of healthcare workers and patients are being distributed to area hospitals and long-term care homes in honour of National Nursing Week.
“Nurses are on the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19 and the care and comfort they provide patients is crucial to their health, well-being and recovery,” said Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Bruce Krauter. “The paramedics of Essex-Windsor EMS are proud to work alongside the courageous nurses of Windsor-Essex, who do so much for so many.”
Krauter initially asked his paramedics to have their children create artwork inspired by Spring to brighten up the field hospital at St. Clair College. Word of the challenge spread quickly online and submissions were opened up to children across the region.
The response was overwhelming. Hundreds of children uploaded their pictures using an online form on the County of Essex website and hundreds more pictures were collected by area schools and agencies. Allegra Printing volunteered to print the electronic pictures and Essex-Windsor EMS will now distribute them to all three Windsor-Essex hospitals along with Sun Parlor Home and Huron Lodge.
“These beautiful drawings will brighten walls and brighten spirits,” said Krauter. “I can’t thank the children of Windsor and Essex County enough for stepping up the way they did.”
Warden Gary McNamara praised the children for their generosity and creativity and said the inspiring pictures were a fitting tribute to the nurses who provide comfort and care to so many.
He noted this year’s Nursing Week coincided with the 200th Anniversary of the birthday of Florence Nightingale, known as “The Lady with The Lamp” for toiling through the night, tending to the sick and wounded during the Crimean War.
“The nurses of Windsor-Essex honour her legacy of bravery and sacrifice every shift, quietly and courageously providing compassionate care to our most vulnerable residents,” said McNamara. “Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system and they are proving to be brave, resourceful and indefatigable in the fight against COVID-19.”
