Echoes of “Thank you!” and “Merry Christmas!” rang out as grateful community members lined the exit to Sertoma’s Winter Wonderland light display at the Northland Arboretum Monday, Dec. 21.
Normally operating Wednesday through Saturday nights during the holiday season, the light display opened Monday to welcome a special group of guests for free — frontline health care workers from Essentia Health.
“We just would like to show our appreciation for the frontline workers and just make sure that they know that we appreciate everything that they are doing for us,” Winter Wonderland Chairwoman Dwan Beardmore said. “They don't get to be with their families as much as the rest of us probably do, so we’d just like to say, ‘Thank you so much from all of us here at Sertomas.’”
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As cars of health care workers and their families exited the arboretum Monday night, about a dozen community members lined the road with “thank you” signs and messages of gratitude.
Sara Hight said she’s seen similar events happen elsewhere, and it always gives her goosebumps.
“I have a sister that’s a nurse, and she said that means the world when they get these thank yous, so I thought, ‘I could do this,’” Hight said.
Essentia Health workers Mary and Randy Moeser enjoyed going through the Winter Wonderland with their grandchildren, who couldn’t wait to come back another time.
“It’s really special,” Mary Moeser said of the thank yous they got. “It’s special to get together with family, to be able to do something like this. There’s so little opportunities right now. This is wonderful.”
Even Mrs. Claus made an appearance to show her gratitude. Mrs. Midwest Woman Royalty International Ann Marie Root, decked out in the traditional red and white Christmas garb, thanked the occupants of each car alongside her daughters AylaJean and Deanna, Miss Midwest and Miss Teen Midwest, respectively.
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“They sacrifice so much right now, and I wanted them to know that they’re thought of and cared about and that the community is here thanking them for doing what they do, keeping us safe,” Root said.
THERESA BOURKE may be reached at theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchTheresa .
