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VALLEY — A number of local industries, businesses and restaurants are joining forces to show appreciation to the hospital workers at EAMC-Lanier for what they doing to combat the current COVID-19 crisis.

On Thursday, Chambers County Sheriff Sid Lockhart had his Country Catering trailer just outside EAMC-Lanier’s surgical pavilion, and the inviting aroma of cooking catfish wafted throughout the hospital setting to the nearby Valley Medical Park.

During the noon hour, hospital workers took turns getting fish plates. This act of generosity on the part of the sheriff’s office and the Chambers County Development Authority (CCDA) brought smiles to lots of faces.

“This is great,” said Cindy Brooks, EAMC-Lanier’s director of business development, occupational health and wellness. “This is the second time this week Sid and his crew have fed our workers. On Tuesday, they had barbecue sack lunches for 120 people and today they provided fish plates for 180 people. We thank Sheriff Lockhart and the CCDA for teaming up to do this. It really lifts everyone’s spirits to be shown this kind of appreciation.”

Local industries to step up and provide meals for the hospital staff include WestRock, Ajin, Wooshin and Norbord. Local restaurants such as Subway of Valley, Little Caesar’s and

“We want everyone to know that we appreciate this support so much,” Brooks said. “Some of the restaurants will deliver the food if people will sponsor it. Our employees are so grateful for this. I’m enjoying hearing comments like ‘I got fed two times today!’

Brooks said that Wooshin will sponsor a second meal for the employees on Friday and that Ajin has a second meal planned as well.

“Several local restaurants have meal deals,” Brooks said. “Anyone can purchase meals for the employees, and they will deliver it.”

For details, contact Brooks at (706) 773-2713.

With the coronavirus expanding throughout the U.S., this is a very stressful and trying period for hospital workers all across the country. Brooks said that gestures of support and appreciation are morale boosters.

“It means a lot to us to see everyone lining up to help. It really does,” she said.

“We want to thank everyone for their prayers and for their kindness and understanding that this is a tough time for us all.”

A sign at EAMC-Lanier’s main entrance advises anyone with symptoms of lower respiratory illness with fever, cough and/or difficulty breathing to go to the emergency room entrance behind the hospital to be evaluated. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should fist call (334) 528-SICK.