We had an overwhelming response and it was difficult to narrow down our recipients. There are so many working tirelessly to help during this current crisis. Know that we appreciate each and every one of you! Congratulations to our Week One Community Champions! Each of them will receive a pair of Hoka shoes, thanks to the generous support of Hoka One One!
Mary Schweers
was nominated by her daughter Morgan who stated, "She is my mom, my hero, my favorite Ashley Hall administrator and teacher. She’s not a technology expert, but after tirelessly working to perfect it, she could fool you for being one now. She 100% deserves this recognition."
FF: How long have you been working in your current field?
Mary: I have been in teaching/administration for 32 years, and I have been working at Ashley Hall for the last fabulous 25 years!
FF: What is your favorite part of your job?
Mary: My favorite part of the job is being with my students and faculty and all of the great relationships we share.
FF: What is the most challenging part of your job under the current circumstances?
Mary: I miss seeing and interacting with my students and faculty every day on our beautiful campus.
FF: What is your favorite activity to stay healthy and relieve stress?
Mary: I try to eat healthy and drink a bunch of water, take lots of walks (especially with my daughter), offer up a prayer of gratitude each day, and I'm trying out Tai Chi.
Samuel Kobylarz
was nominated by Wendi Kobylarz who wrote, "This is a 17 year old young man who is working full time hours to meet the demand of his job. He is picking people's orders and delivering to them with a smile."
FF: How long have you been working in your current field?
Samuel: I have been working at a local grocery store for almost a year.
FF: What is your favorite part of your job?
Samuel: My favorite part of the job is being able to help people in the community get their groceries - those who need the help and are unable to go into the grocery stores at this time.
FF: What is the most challenging part of your job under the current circumstances?
Samuel: The most challenging part of my job under the current circumstances is the increased demand (for home delivery) in our community.
FF: What is your favorite activity to stay healthy and relieve stress?
Samuel: My favorite activity to stay healthy and relieve stress is sleeping.
Connolly Behr
was nominated by her friend Meghan White..."She is working every day, long hours to help people. She has even picked up other pharmacists shifts because their spouses have immune compromised spouses at home. She’s a one of a kind selfless human, who really deserves this!"
FF: How long have you been working in your current field?
Connolly: I have been a pharmacist for 5 years. I was an intern for 4 years before that, so I’ve been working in pharmacy for about 9 years total
FF: What is your favorite part of your job?
Connolly: I became a pharmacist to help people, which often looks different for each patient. I think one of the ways I really like to help people is to help them save money on expensive medications. I will contact their doctors for cheaper alternatives or look up coupons for their meds. It is rewarding when a patient can afford their medication and therefore will be more compliant (and ideally healthier)!
FF: What is the most challenging part of your job under the current circumstances?
Connolly: Under the current circumstances, there has been a lot of stress and anxiety from our patients and also my coworkers. We have a lot of elderly and immunocompromised patients that we are trying to protect and serve during this time, which has presented some challenges to keep them out of the store and healthy. It is concerning that we come into contact with so many people each day and could risk spreading it to our loved ones or patients.
FF: What is your favorite activity to stay healthy and relieve stress?
Connolly: Working out has been my main way to relieve stress. I normally go to Orangetheory Fitness, but obviously since that is closed, I have had to get creative. I have been running outside a lot more, which has been much more enjoyable than I thought it would be! I also love to walk my dog, Bandit.
Dr. Keegan Bakos
was nominated by Maria Swartz who shared..."Over this past month, Dr. Bakos has been working tirelessly in the ICU at the Medical University of South Carolina. His typical work day (minimum of 12 hours) starts off by putting on 5-10 pounds of personal protective equipment before making rounds in the hospital. Dr. Bakos serves the sickest of sick patients. Some suffering from COVID-19, while others from physical and mental illnesses. There are good days, bad days, and many restless nights. Regardless, Dr. Bakos continues to show up at the hospital at the crack of dawn. Thank you Dr. Bakos, and all frontline workers, for going above and beyond to curb the threat of COVID-19."
FF: How long have you been working in your current field?
Dr. Bakos: I will be entering my third year of internal medicine residency in July.
FF: What is your favorite part of your job?
Dr. Bakos: My favorite part of my job is spending time with the patients as well as getting to work with my awesome co-workers in the health care field.
FF: What is the most challenging part of your job under the current circumstances?
Dr. Bakos: I would have to say the hardest part of my job during these times is seeing how tough it is for our patients and their families to not be able to be together in person. The ICU is a stressful and frightening place to be and I know it's even harder without family there for support.
FF: What is your favorite activity to stay healthy and relieve stress?
Dr. Bakos: Running! (keeping social distancing of course) and stationary bike at home.
Do you know someone who is:
- Working long hours on the frontlines in healthcare or as a first responder?
- Or keeping shelves stocked, preparing pick-up orders and making deliveries at our grocery stores?
- Someone who has been laid off because of business closures that is finding creative ways to continue to support their family?
- Or maybe they work/volunteer at one of the many non-profit organizations that are inundated with requests for food, clothing and other resources due to the thousands that have been laid off from their jobs?
- School cafeteria workers making sure there are meals for children who need them while the schools ae closed?
-Teachers who are working tirelessly from home to continue to provide our children with the support and tools they need to continue learning?
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