This week’s bouquets go to:

OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group:

OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group has received a $5,000 grant from the United Way of Delta County and a matching $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Upper Peninsula to assist with local pandemic relief efforts.

“We’re very appreciative of our community and its generosity,” said Jean Arvan, director of philanthropy at OSF St. Francis. “Over the past several weeks we’ve received monetary donations, donations of food, gift cards for our frontline caregivers, homemade masks and PPE donations. “The community has been so generous and we are very grateful.”

Philanthropic gifts are particularly appreciated during this time of financial stress. Like most hospitals across the country, OSF has been impacted financially by the pandemic, according to Dave Lord, president at OSF St. Francis.

He noted both the hospital and the OSF HealthCare Ministry overall have implemented a pandemic response plan — plans that have been prepared for years in the event of a pandemic — and are following CDC and Michigan Department of Public Health guidelines.

In March, the hospital began postponing non-essential surgeries, outpatient procedures and physician office visits to comply with state and national guidelines. “This helped preserve beds and supplies for COVID-19 patients, but has also led to a significant decrease in revenue,” he shared.

“Now, more than ever, we are grateful for gifts of philanthropy,” said Lord. “Never have we experienced anything like this pandemic. Knowing we have the community behind us during these difficult times means so much.”

For more information about pandemic relief efforts at OSF or to support the pandemic relief efforts, contact the Foundation at (906) 786-5707, ext. 5516, or e-mail jean.arvan@osfhealthcare.org.

Great Lakes Credit Union:

On Friday, April 17, Great Lakes Credit Union supported local essential workers by buying lunch for employees at Elmer’s County Market and Pat’s Foods in Gladstone.

Pizza was purchased from Oven King Pizza and delivered to Elmer’s and Main Street Pizza and delivered to Pat’s Foods in Gladstone. GLFFCU hopes their donation lifted spirits in our community and honored some of our local heroes for working everyday. GLFFCU wants to thank all essential workers for all they do.

——

Each Saturday the Daily Press salutes individuals and groups from our area who have had a very positive impact on the way we live.

We identify our bouquet recipients in one of two ways: from Daily Press news pages and from nominations sent in by our readers.

Mail us a postcard or letter identifying your nomination and putting into detail what they’ve done. Include your name, address, and phone number. Send nominations to Saturday Bouquets, The Daily Press, 600 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829.

They may also be sent to us by going to our Web site, www.dailypress.net, and clicking on the submit news button. Once there, click on “Bouquets” and follow the simple instructions.