Gulf Shores Middle School student Portia Hollis wants to see local healthcare workers celebrated for more than one day. During the Dec. 6 Gulf Shores City Council meeting, Mayor Robert Craft declared Jan. 24-29 Healthcare Workers Appreciation Week.
Hollis is an eighth-grade student and Red Ribbon Week leader. Part of the responsibilities of the Red Ribbon leader include leading activities on the school campus during Red Ribbon Week. They are also challenged to plan and execute a community service project. This year, the project is to be focused on Healthcare Heroes.
During her presentation to the city council, Hollis said that many people had the opportunity to work from home, students had virtual school and families had time to make memories but that wasn't the case for healthcare professionals.
"You heard many people say they were spending more time with their families doing simple things like playing games, watching movies, making memories and getting rest. That was not the case for those in the healthcare profession. Their jobs got more stressful. They worked longer hours. They were around the virus every day while most of us were at home worried about what would happen if our loved ones got the virus. They were surrounded by it," Hollis said.
Throughout the year, there are many healthcare awareness days, but Hollis pointed out that some might have to work on their designated day. To ensure everyone had a day to get pampered, Hollis worked with the city of Gulf Shores to declare Jan. 24- 29 Healthcare Worker Appreciation Week.

"Now that businesses have opened back up, our kids are back to activities and we are all in the new normal, I thought we could all show the healthcare workers how much we appreciate them with a week just for them," Hollis said. "I thought if we did a whole week, they could get pampered on whichever day works for them or the whole week. Businesses can give discounts, or refreshments or specials for those that show their ID and work in the healthcare industry."
To kick off Healthcare Worker Appreciation Week, Hollis has worked with Gulf Shores Middle School principal Kyle McCartney and the American Red Cross to host a blood drive. Those interested in donating blood Jan. 24 can register on the American Red Cross website www.redcross.org.
"January is national blood donation month and what better way to support our healthcare professionals than to donate blood to help them save lives," Hollis said.
The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber is also trying to put together a list of local businesses that are planning to offer discounts and specials throughout the week.
After Craft presented Hollis with a framed copy of the proclamation, he said Hollis is "a perfect example of the quality of our youth in our community."
If your business would be interested in offering discounts or specials to healthcare workers during that week, please contact the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber to be added to the list.