COVID-safe Recognition Activities
RhPAP remains focused on flattening the curve and supporting our rural health providers and community members during these difficult days. While we recognize that many appreciation activities are not currently possible due to social distancing measures, some COVID-safe initiatives to consider in the coming weeks may include the following:
- 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)
- Make scrubs bags (e.g. Czar Quilters)
- 3D print face shields (e.g. people/groups with 3D printers)
- 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)
- Create a 2020 COVID-19 Time Capsule (e.g. design colouring sheets and other activities for kids) (e.g. Delburne)
- 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—A big hit in 2020!
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.)