Headlights for Heroes Planned

Mar 09, 2021

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As a show of respect and support for healthcare workers and emergency responders, the public is invited to join the Headlights for Heroes motorcade driving around the William Newton Hospital campus on Thursday, March 11.

“We did this during the initial lockdown in April of 2020 and had a great turn out,” says Annika Morris, director of William Newton Healthcare Foundation. “Given that this hospital has been responding to the COVID-19 pandemic for an entire year, we are asking everyone to join forces again. Our frontline healthcare workers need a boost of encouragement and to see they’re appreciated.”

Participants in the hospital’s second annual Headlights for Heroes are asked to meet at 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Winfield Recreation Commission at 624 College St. Individuals should remain in their vehicles to practice social distancing.

Winfield Fire and EMS, Winfield Police Department, and Cowley County Sheriff’s Office will lead the motorcade with lights flashing to cheer on hospital and medical staff at 6:45 p.m. Drivers should turn their headlights on, then follow the motorcade north on College St., turn west on Fifth Ave., turn north on Michigan Ave., and then head back east on Fourth Ave.

To help support the hospital’s pandemic response efforts, the William Newton Healthcare Foundation established a COVID-19 Relief Fund in May 2020. The new fund has become popular with donors, raising over $11,000.

Community member and donor Eric Andreas was one of the biggest proponents of the first Headlights for Heroes. Inspired by the heroic efforts of frontline workers, Andreas has started volunteering at the hospital.

“During his volunteer shift, you can spot Eric shuttling patients around campus in our new Willy’s Care Cab,” says Sarah Johnson, William Newton Hospital director of marketing. “Over the past year, dozens of generous community members, like Mr. Andreas and his wife Wanda, have stepped up to help in any way they can. Headlights for Heroes is an easy, yet impactful way to show you care.”

“We’d like to have as many people as possible!” exclaims Andreas. He encourages fellow community members to join and make signs to display words of encouragement.

Other appreciation activities taking place on Thursday include a special performance for staff from the Southwestern College A Cappella Choir and a gift to every employee from the William Newton Hospital board of trustees.

As Joan Cales, hospital board member, gratefully states, “This gift is coming from all of us on the board, who are 100 percent behind all of the employees. Times are hard for everyone, but probably harder for all of them right now. Please know that you and your hard work is being recognized.”

To learn more, contact Johnson at 620-222-6262, or find the Headlights for Heroes event on Facebook.

Photo: Bret Frazier holds a supportive sign while the motorcade slowly passes by the hospital during Headlights for Heroes 2020.