8th grader Portia Hollis spearheads Jan. 24-29 Healthcare Worker Appreciation week in G.S.

8th grader Portia Hollis spearheads Jan. 24-29 Healthcare Worker Appreciation week in G.S.
Gulf Shores Middle School eighth-grader Portia Hollis said during the pandemic’s most stringent and restrictive phase, families came closer together as work and school became home activities.
“Activities were canceled and everyone was staying home,” Portia told the Gulf Shore city council on Dec. 6. “You heard many people say they were spending more time with their families doing simple things like playing games, watching movies together, making memories and getting rest.”
But not everyone had those options, Portia said, especially those in healthcare.
“For those in the healthcare profession their jobs got more stressful, they worked longer hours, they were around the virus every day while most of us were at home worried about what would happen if our loved ones got the virus,” Portia said. “They were surrounded by it.”
Tasked with coming up with a community project honoring “healthcare heroes” during Red Ribbon Week at GSMS, Portia decided she’d like to promote a week to honor those heroes and have Gulf Shores declare a week to honor those on the front lines battling the virus.
“Now that the businesses have opened back up our kids are back to activities and we are all in the new normal I thought we could show the new normal, I thought we could all show the healthcare workers how much we appreciate them with a week just for them,” Portia said. “With the help of Mayor (Robert) Craft, I would like to declare Jan. 24-29 Healthcare Worker Appreciation week.”
Portia said there are individual days set aside for honoring nurses and physicians but many times the healthcare workers’ schedules are set and many miss an individual day.
“I thought if we did a whole week they could go and celebrate whichever day works for them or the whole week,” Portia said. “Businesses can give discounts or refreshments as specials for those who show their IDs and work in the healthcare profession.”
To kick off the week, Portia has planned a blood drive at GSMS on Jan. 24.
“January is national blood donation month and what a better way to support our healthcare professionals than to donate blood and help them save others,” Portia said. “Mark your calendar and donate blood Jan. 24 at Gulf Shores Middle School. You can sign up today at the American Red Cross website.”
Portia’s presentation was well received and roundly applauded by the council and members of the audience at the meeting.
“Perfect example of the quality of our youth in our community,” Craft said after her presentation. “Thank you, Portia.”
During the week, there are also blood drives scheduled Jan. 24 at the Orange Beach Community Center from 8 a.m.-noon and Jan. 27 from noon-5 p.m. at Gulf Shores First Presbyterian Church.
Pictured: Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft and Portia Hollis with proclamation.