ARHW Toolkit

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COVID-safe Recognition Activities

While we recognize that many appreciation activities are not currently possible due to social distancing measures, below are some tried-and-tested COVID-safe initiatives to considertrying in your community during in the coming weeks:

• Place a heart in a window (e.g. Drayton Valley, Pincher Creek , Smoky Lake)
• Put up a drawing or messages of thanks in a window (e.g. Tofield, Delburne)
• Put a drawing or message of thanks on a fence (laminate) (e.g. Pincher Creek, Claresholm)
• Put a thank you sign up at the hospital entrance (e.g. McLennan)
• Organize a Neighborhood Window Walk (after residents have put things in their windows or on their fences) (e.g. Fort Macleod)
• Create thank you posts for your website and social media (e.g. Northern Sunrise County, County of Northern Lights
• Organize a “parade” where participants flash their lights and turn on sirens (e.g. Vegreville: Lights of Hope; Parade of Appreciation: RM of Wood Buffalo, Trochu, Medicine Hat)
• Hold a backyard photo contest (e.g. Bigstone Community Wellness Centre)
• Organize an Adopt-a-Grandparent program where community members write letters to seniors in long-term and other locked down facilities (e.g. Wetaskiwin Health Foundation)
• Create a Community Help Page on social media where people can request assistance and offer to help (e.g. Rimbey)
• Create a thank you video – Check out our videos here, here, and here. (e.g. RhPAP, RM of Wood Buffalo)
• Hold a virtual dance party via Zoom (e.g. Nanton: #NantonPorchProject)
• Coordinate outdoor jam sessions where people play music on their steps, porches, driveways (e.g. Nanton)
• Send out nightly “tuck-ins” or positive messages via social media (e.g. Longview, Bigstone)
• Have a virtual story time for children where librarians and other officials read a book via Zoom (e.g. Town of Sexsmith)
• Coordinate clapping or other synchronized activities to show appreciation for health care providers (e.g. Village of Delburne)
• Post messages of support to websites/social media (e.g. Vegreville, RhPAP, thanksforcaing.ca)
• Create a funny appreciation video (e.g. JibJab, etc) for health care providers (e.g. Crowsnest Pass)
• Tag social media posts with #AlbertaCares, #FoundationsOfGratitude
• Set up a phone call-in line for those not on social media or limited internet access (e.g. Pincher Creek)
• Coordinate a porch photography project where local photographers take pictures of community members on their porches, driveways, etc. (e.g. #BarrheadPorchProject)
• Coordinate “Drive-up Birthday Celebrations” where the local fire department sends a fire truck to residents celebrating their birthdays, etc (e.g. Northern Sunrise County, Red Deer County)
• Donate technology like iPads to groups who may not have it (e.g. seniors) (e.g. Wetaskiwin Health Foundation)
• Give a “shout-out” on the community’s  digital board or screens in the health facility
• Acknowledge health-care professionals at Village / Town/ County council meetings
• Drive-by parades!

• Read more good news stories from the COVID-19 pandemic on the RhPAP Blog

Post-COVID Recognition Activities

Other suggestions to try post-COVID include:

• Profile your health provider(s) in the newspaper
• Write a thank-you card
• Recognize the important days (birthdays, work anniversaries, etc.).
• Mention their accomplishments at community events
• Host a BBQ
• In coordination with local elementary or high schools, build opportunities where students’ work can be shared with or presented to your health provider
• Gift an appreciation basket
• Consider doing something to celebrate the health providers during their professional recognition day/week (For example: Nursing Week in May; Paramedics Week and Licensed Practical Nurses Week in June; Medical Radiation Technologist (MRT) Week in November.)