Deb Malewski
Contributing Writer
When the going gets tough, they say, the tough get going. A lot of tough people have stepped up to help fight COVID-19 by volunteering for the Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD). They are part of the team that is helping to end the pandemic, one shot at a time.
Lauren Metcalf is the volunteer coordinator for the BEDHD. Currently, she has 114 active volunteers for Barry and Eaton counties, with more coming on board each day.
“Every single one of our volunteers have been absolute rock stars!” Metcalf said. “Their commitment to helping us protect our communities and their willingness to step up and go above and beyond during this time of need is astounding.”
“I tell them this all the time,” she added, “but we truly could not have these clinics function as well as they have without each and every one of them.”
Non-medical volunteers provide a wide range of duties. They provide traffic control at clinics, assist people with filling out the necessary forms, assemble information packets, ask bout symptoms, check temperatures, clean items with alcohol, and act as runners (emptying trash cans, filling in for breaks).
“They said they needed help and I said I’d love to do it,” said Rick Jones, of Grand Ledge and former Eaton County sheriff and state senator. Jones volunteers three or four days a week at the vaccine clinics and has done just about everything there is to do other, than actually administer the shots. That is done by volunteer medical personnel.
The Lansing Mall clinic sees 300 to 500 people per day, Jones said, starting at 10 a.m. and going until 4 p.m.
“Is there a cot back there with your name on it?” someone asked Jones as he distributed paperwork to each person. “You were here the last time I was here.”
“My philosophy is that if you are healthy you should give back,” said Jones. “Everyone should try to give back to some organization. There are so many Eaton County organizations that need help.”
“Right now, we are pretty set with volunteers,” Metcalf said, “however, as weeks and months pass, we will certainly be looking to bring on more from the pool of folks who have taken our volunteer surveys.”
Over 1,000 people filled out volunteer surveys to become a volunteer for the Barry Eaton District Health Department. The list is being prioritized, to determine those that have the most availability during times volunteers are needed the most.
Metcalf urges those interested in volunteering to visit the BEDHD website at barryeatonhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine-information and, under the “How Can I Volunteer to Help?” section, fill out either the medical or non-medical surveys. Those applying to volunteer to vaccinate individuals are required to have a current and valid medical license, and to be either a nurse, doctor, physician’s assistant, or paramedic.
“We keep receiving so much positive feedback from those who visit our clinics and it’s very much because of how fantastic our volunteers are,” Metcalf said. “So thankful for them all!”
