To commemorate the response to the coronavirus pandemic over the past year, the City of Overland Park would like to honor those who have served on the frontlines.
Mayor Carl Gerlach issued a proclamation at Monday night’s City Council meeting for Heroes Week, which will take place from March 7-13. In the proclamation, he thanked the selfless “heroes” that have done crucial work during the pandemic.
These heroes include medical professionals, educators, restaurant workers, grocery store employees, police, fire and other City staff members, and more. It also includes those who have provided humanitarian assistance to support families and individuals affected by the pandemic, including drive-through food banks, rent and mortgage assistance and more.
To further honor these heroes, City Hall, 8500 Santa Fe Drive and the Myron E. Scafe Building, 8500 Antioch Road, will be lit blue March 1-13. The color blue is a message of support for frontline workers, notably healthcare workers.
The City is honoring first responders as we reach the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus’ arrival in Johnson County. The first coronavirus case in the county was recorded on March 7, 2020. Since then, the County has recorded nearly 300,000 cases of the virus and more than 4,500 deaths.
The coronavirus continues to affect City services, including the format of public meetings, operations of public amenities and more. As challenges persist for families and individuals due to the pandemic, there are still many ways to get and give help.