EVOLVE Business and Entrepreneur Magazine First Coast Region - January 2022 | Page 36

COMMUNITY SERVICE MEANS GOOD BUSINESS

Recognizing Healthcare Heroes
AdventHealth Palm Coast group shot - gift card thank you
Si Como No Inn , Flagler Beach
Carla Cline , Owner , Flagler Beach Art and Stuff psychological toll on healthcare professionals .

Local businesses are inspired to show appreciation . “ Healthcare workers are the true heroes here !” has been a phrase repeated many times during the pandemic . Especially in our hospitals that have , at times , been pushed to their limits , the doctors , nurses and support staff have courageously continued treating and caring for those in their care . It is no secret that the stress of mounting caseloads and countless overtime hours have taken a physical and

Carla Cline , owner of Flagler Surf Art and Stuff , was inspired to do something positive to let the hospital staff of AdventHealth Palm Coast know that the community appreciates them and cares . No stranger in town or to raising money for good causes , Cline devised a plan to create $ 20.00 gift cards to local restaurants to give to AdventHealth employees . She was not fazed when she asked John Subers , the hospital ’ s foundation director , how many employees they had and he said , “ One thousand .” Cline set a goal to collect and deliver 1,000 cards , spendable at participating businesses , along with a kind and supportive note from each donor .
Dr . Ron Jimenez , CEO , AdvenHealth Palm Coast said ,
“ Community support has been absolutely vital to our caregivers as they ’ ve worked through the extreme stresses of the pandemic . We ’ re extremely grateful for these kind gestures , whether it ’ s gift cards , food or community members driving to our hospitals in a show of support . It ’ s helped us keep going knowing that our neighbors care for us , as we care for them .”
Once the message spread in the community , the effort-built momentum and participating businesses offered matching donations and held contests and others , like Si Como No Inn , wanted to join . Owner Marti Leavines is a retired respiratory therapist herself . Manager Monique Futch said , “ Marti could relate and …. there are no words …. no words for how we all felt . We wanted to do something to acknowledge them and let them know that we care . Nurses ROCK !”
Dr . Ron Jimenez
If you would like your organization featured in Community Service Means Good Business , please send an email to Amy @ TouchPointIS . com .
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