Local artist Linda Baudry’s design for the MN Responds volunteer t-shirts depicts the impact of the volunteers’ helping hands on community well-being.  Submitted photo

From Cook County MN - September 15, 2020

The Cook County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), local artist Linda Baudry and Set Out Screen Printing have collaborated to thank MN Responds COVID-19 volunteers for their service over the last six months.

“This effort is designed to thank all of the volunteers registered in the MN Responds system who have stepped forward to help the community during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said EOC Volunteer Manager and SHIP Coordinator Andrea Orest. “To date, 210 individuals have logged 4,802.75 hours. They are amazing!”

Volunteers have logged those hours performing various roles in the community, including:

• Assisting shoppers with curbside pick-up and food delivery during the in-store shopping restrictions at Gene’s Foods, Johnson’s Foods and Cook County Food Whole Foods Co-op
• Providing extra support during Ruby’s Pantry food distributions
• Staffing the Community Support Help Line
• Providing additional assistance in meeting essential needs to our elders in collaboration with Care Partners
• Assisting with AEOA food distribution events
• Supporting safe visitation practices at North Shore Health and the Care Center
• Helping ISD 166 to provide student meal support

“We are so grateful for the generous response by our volunteers,” Orest said. “As a small thank you, all local MN Responds volunteers will receive a shirt designed by Linda Baudry and printed by Set Out Screen Printing. We feel the design captures the meaningfulness of community members supporting each other in the interest of the health and well-being of everyone.”

Volunteers can pick up their shirts at the Cook County Community Center during the following time periods:

• 8am-11am Monday, September 21
• 1pm-4pm Wednesday, September 23
• 12pm-3pm Thursday, September 24

Those unable to pick up their shirts during these times may contact Andrea Orest at [email protected] or 218-877-8262 to make alternative arrangements.