Parade Held At Stanton Health Center

Tuesday, April 28th, at 6pm, a citizen parade drove through the parking lot of Stanton Health Center.  Residents watched from inside, as they ate "sack lunches," provided for the occasion. 

Cars assembled at Faith Lutheran and St. Luke's starting at 5:45pm.  Health Center staff directed participants as they arrived in the parking lots; some with signs, banners, balloons and costumes.   Both church parking lots soon filled to capacity, and cars lined adjacent streets before the parade began. 

The Eastern sky was darkened as a spring storm spared Stanton from weather which would interfere with the parade.  The Western sun illuminated the parade participants, and the air was fresh with enthusiasm.  

After leading the first cars through, Sheriff Mike Unger directed traffic on Highway 24 to allow commuters to pass and parade vehicles to exit safely.  Next in line, were the fire trucks and emergency vehicles flashing their lights.  The parade slowly rolled past the solarium and many balloons were released into the air.  Pickup boxes became parade floats and people stood up in their sun-roofs to wave and cheer our dear Health Center residents, who were the first to experience quarantine for COVID-19, starting March 8th.  No one knew at the time it would effect everyone.  
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The parade's extraordinary participation,  was Stanton's expression of appreciation for the Health Center staff who care for our loved ones as family.  The reason the event was held, was obviously to let residents know the community cares for them and misses them.   Even though they haven't had visitors in several weeks, hopefully the parade could compensate a little for the lack of interaction they've experienced. 

The residents themselves have showed tremendous bravery and patience while dealing with never before seen circumstances.