To The Editor:
I would like to thank all of the terrific volunteers who helped make this year’s Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner (the 19th annual) a tremendous success. Approximately 450 dinners were prepared and it could not have happened without the many, many volunteers helping throughout the day.
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) of the Gratiot County Community Foundation had approximately 60 youth helping throughout the day, beginning with many youth arriving at 6 a.m. to peel 250 pounds of potatoes. Thank you also to Gratiot Medical Center for donating the 54 turkeys, the Ithaca Seventh Day Adventist Congregation for donating 40 pumpkin pies and the Alma First Presbyterian Church for the use of Fellowship Hall and the kitchen.
This Thanksgiving Day Dinner can only take place because of the wonderful support of volunteers and community organizations. Thank you all for your dedication and assistance making this day a special one in Gratiot County.
Sincerely,
Craig Zeese
Dinner Coordinator
* * * *
Dear Editor:
The Mid-Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD), in conjunction with several community organizations and partners, conducted a Novel H1N1 Influenza mass-vaccination clinic on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Alma Middle School. In seven hours, a total of 1,044 H1N1 vaccinations were administered to residents throughout Gratiot County.
A second H1N1 mass-vaccination clinic was held Saturday, Nov. 21, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ithaca High School at which a total of 487 H1N1 vaccinations were administered to residents throughout Gratiot County.
As the Health Officer and Medical Director for MMDHD, we wish to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the many partners and volunteers who helped make these Saturday clinics successful. Key partners include: Alma Public Safety, Alma Public Schools, Amateur Radio Operators, City of Alma representatives, City of Ithaca representatives, City of St. Louis representatives, Central Dispatch, Commission on Aging, Dr. Vicki Chessin, Emergency Management, Gratiot Board of Commissioners, Gratiot County Fire Chiefs Association, Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District, Gratiot Medical Center, Gratiot Road Commission, Ithaca Fire, Ithaca Public Safety, Ithaca Public Schools, Michigan State Police, Mobile Medical Response, Montcalm Community College Nursing Students, Salvation Army, St. Louis Correctional Facility, St. Louis Rescue and St. Louis Schools.
The clinic ran smoothly throughout the day due to the work of MMDHD staff and community partners. It is an honor to live in and work in a community where people come first and partnerships make a difference. Thank you to all for helping to protect our community and our children.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Singh, M.A.
Health Officer
Mid-Michigan District Health
Department
Robert Graham
Medical Director
Mid-Michigan District Health
Department