By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Editor

Members of the Mountain Sunrise Rotary Club surprised the staff at Mountains Community Hospital on April 30 with breakfast burritos from Bill’s Villager.

When she made the announcement about the burritos, said Terry Peña, the hospital’s COO and chief nursing operator, “The staff was so excited, they were literally clapping. We appreciate all of the community support. It’s a nice pick-me-up.”

Rotarian Jack Cooperman first picked up 35 burritos at Bill’s at 6:30, then another 100 at 8 a.m. He was joined by Jill Neumen, Paul Fournier, Armand LeSage and honorary Rotarian Cheryl Robinson, who serves as vice president of the MCH board of directors.

They wheeled the cart loaded with burritos – stuffed with scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes and cheese – into the hospital’s small conference room. There were also meatless burritos available.

Peña had already gotten counts from most departments and marked bags with those numbers. The Rotarians made quick work of packing the bags with burritos and containers of salsa.

Within minutes, members of the various departments showed up to claim their burritos. They were all full of thanks for the special treat.

“During this extremely challenging time facing our community and specifically the risk and exposure our first responders and their families are subject to each and every day,” said Jamie Zinn, president of the Mountain Sunrise Rotary Club, “it gives our club no greater pleasure than to take pause and thank the outstanding staff of Mountains Community Hospital for everything they have done and continue to do to keep our community healthy, safe and educated on COVID-10 and its effects.

“Serving the staff members today could never be enough to thank them for all they do each and every day,” Zinn added. “We appreciate them all beyond what any words can express.”

“This is a win-win,” Robinson said. “We’re giving the hospital staff a token of our appreciation and also supporting a local business.”