Hayden Meadows Students Say 'Gracias' to Kootenai Health

Hayden Meadows Students Say 'Gracias' to Kootenai Health

“Thank you for helping in our world.”

“Stay strong.”

“All that hard work seems tiring. You deserve some ice cream.”

“We love you!”

“Gracias!”

These words of gratitude come from the most authentic place – the hearts of children.

On Friday, Sept. 17, Hayden Meadows Elementary School delivered to Kootenai Health a colorful, cheery reminder that our medical staff working the COVID-19 units are thought of, loved and appreciated.

“We just said, we all know our nurses and doctors are really busy right now, and it would be fun to create something that would make them smile,” Hayden Meadows Spanish teacher Holly Beck said. “What they produced was so heartwarming, so I brought everything home and put the poster together and it turned out very cheerful.”

About 200 Spanish students in third, fourth and fifth grades illustrated imaginative messages of encouragement. They drew a turtle thankful for a doctor saving its life, cats purring their thanks, rainbows of compliments and much more.

“I’ve noticed, as a teacher, a project that is meaningful and engaging just produces amazing things,” Holly said.

Fifth-grader Kindyl Camarata said she was happy to participate in the project because she appreciates how hard Kootenai Health’s doctors and nurses work, and how kind they are.

“I feel safe and happy, knowing it will all be OK," she said.

Her classmate, Eli Bardwell, shared his gratitude to the medical community. 

"Thank you for risking your lives to help those you don't even know,” Eli said. “True heroes!”

“It was a great experience for the students,” Holly said. “We are so happy to share love with our local heroes!”

Sarah McManus, director of employee and guest experience, beamed a smile when the collage was delivered.

“It warms our hearts to know how much our community supports us,” she said. 

Guest services associate Sharon Hayes delivered the collage to the third floor, making sure to show many doctors and nurses before taping it to the wall. This gift from local school children was priceless, she said. 

“We were all reading the comments and looking at the pictures that they had drawn. A lot of thought and caring for others went into their piece of art,” Sharon said. “We even waved a doctor or two over and they were thrilled to see the work these kids went to. A little bit of joy was brought when we needed it the most.”