Although Cinco de Mayo didn’t have quite the same flair this year, there are plenty of other things to celebrate this month. I looked up day and week commemorative events and learned Lumpy Rug Day was earlier this week and Water a Flower Day comes up later this month. And, don’t forget you can observe National Salad Month in May, too!
But, of all the commemorations this month, I’m glad that this week includes National Nurses’ Appreciation Day.
Our healthcare providers are worthy of appreciation every day, of course, but the last few months have shown us over and over the devotion nurses have for their patients. Despite the risk to their lives, those healthcare providers don’t hesitate to suit up, don PPE and place themselves in harms’ way for our benefit and welfare.
We’ve seen countless examples of the toll the pandemic is taking on our caregivers. Heartbreaking photos and poignant messages have been mainstays in the media. The touching glimpses into their world have provided all of us with greater understanding of the challenges they face.
They deserve our thanks and appreciation this week – and every week!
We are also recognizing National Corrections Officers’ Week to honor the men and women who serve in our jail. They have an extremely difficult job and they deserve our admiration and respect for the commitment and dedication they bring to their work every day.
I know the Sheriff’s Department coordinated several ways this week to offer our thanks and recognition for our corrections officers. And, lucky for those of us at the County-City Building, we were able to join in on some of the “tastier” events. Wednesday featured my favorite – Fisher scones from the Washington State Fair! The line stretched out for quite a while as employees queued up for the chance to buy those iconic fair scones.
I bought two dozen and shared one with my granddaughter, Lucy – as you can see, she loved it!
Thursday included Point Ruston’s Stack 571 food truck. I ate my Stack Burger sitting outside in the sun on the steps with co-workers – socially distant of course! (Also ties into National Hamburger Month!)
My thanks to our Corrections officers. I admire and appreciate the way you combine compassion and humanity with a mission for protecting our residents. We are grateful for you!
The love and appreciation continue this weekend with Mothers’ Day on Sunday. I think mothers have one of the toughest, most important, and rewarding jobs in the world and I salute those of you celebrating this weekend – even if only via FaceTime or Zoom this year.
I want to give you a heads up to mark your calendars for noon next Wednesday, May 13. I will be hosting an employee Town Hall via Zoom.
I look forward to sharing an update with how we’re managing through the pandemic, as well as answer your questions. And, you can submit questions in advance, if you’d like. You can send your questions to PCHUMANRESOURCES@piercecountywa.gov and I won’t know who asked them, which may make you more comfortable.
As I close, I want to remind you of another opportunity to show our appreciation – the Standing Ovation Awards. This is the time of year we accept nominations of outstanding work performed by individuals and teams across the County. I hope you will take a moment to nominate a co-worker, a team or another group that has provided exceptional service to you. You can get the nomination form here.
Take care and stay safe,
Bruce