Above / Right here at home, the Downtown Naperville Alliance and the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce organized Naperville Helps!, an initiative that funds the purchase of to-go meals from local participating restaurants for delivery to critical care providers at Edward Hospital and the city’s first responders. (Photo courtesy of Edward Hospital)
These are unprecedented times in our state and nation, and as Illinoisans we are working together to help one another. As I learn daily about Naperville’s response to controlling this health crisis, I am constantly reminded of why Naperville is such a wonderful place to live.
My thanks go out to every employee at Edward Hospital and the entire Naperville medical community. These men and women are stepping up and doing yeoman’s work under stressful circumstances. Our community is in good hands due to the leadership, professionalism, long hours and hard work being put forth by all members of the greater Naperville medical community.
Those ensuring our supply chain remains robust are also deserving of our gratitude. From the engineers and managers, to the grocery store clerks and stocking personnel, these people are working extremely hard to make sure families have the food and supplies they need. But we can’t forget our local restaurants and small businesses. They are struggling, and we all need to do our part to support them. Most restaurants have adapted and are offering curb-side pick-up and delivery options. Be sure to send them some business and to tip your delivery drivers well.
Many are asking what they can do to help. In addition to adhering to social distancing guidelines and supporting local businesses and restaurants, I would encourage healthy adults to consider donating blood. The cancellation of several organized blood drives has created an urgent need for donations. Our local food pantries are also in need of donations and volunteers. DuPage County has a volunteer portal “Giving DuPage,” which helps put volunteers in touch with opportunities for service. That portal can be reached at www.givingdupage.org/programs/volunteer-portal-2.
I have updated my website with a great deal of information about this important health issue. From repwehrli.com, simply scroll down to see a link to general virus information from the Governor’s Office, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and other sources, and a second link for more localized information. The localized link including lists of food pantries, places to donate blood, ways to assist with Meals on Wheels, DuPage County Health Department information, and other information.
In times of crisis, the Naperville community has always come together and this is no exception. But we must all take this pandemic seriously. By practicing social distancing, adhering to the stay home order, and giving, donating and volunteering as we are able, we’ll get through this together.
My office remains ready to help and can be reached by phone at (630) 696-4160 or by email at wehrli@ilhousegop.org.
Publisher’s Note / The monthly deadline for stories published by contributing columnists is the 20th of the month prior to print publication. This story appears in the April issue of PN, now available at local supermarkets. Columns are published in rotation a few at a time on different days throughout the month. Thanks for reading in print monthly and online daily.
