The ongoing push against COVID-19 inside the hospital – and misinformation outside of it – has been dispiriting to St. Luke’s team members, who see firsthand the largely avoidable impacts of the highly contagious virus.

At the same time, it’s comforting to know there is a lot of support in the community around them.

This fall, the St. Luke’s Magic Valley Health Foundation sent letters to help generate donations and offer supporters the opportunity to share messages of encouragement.

The letters poured in, and so did the donations: monetary gifts, equipment and even snacks.

One read: “Thank you isn’t enough to let you know how appreciated you are. You are all heroes.”

Another said: “Thank you all for being there for those who need you.”

Dozens more came in, echoing similar sentiments.

“Our Magic Valley clinical support unit staff was overwhelmed by the community reaching out and thinking of them in these stressful and tough times,” said Amy Bradley, a Magic Valley nursing manager.

“They have all been thankful and even cried when they received the donation from our community.”

It hasn’t just been the usual showings of support, meaningful as those have been.

Curt Egbert, a nursing manager in the ICU, said a donation of iPads “has been a godsend,” enabling connections with families not able to visit in person now, given the gravity of the health situation.

“And the food donations that have been sent by people in the community have been huge for my nursing staff,” Egbert said. “The donations have lifted their sprits on the toughest of days. 

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity that has been shown to our staff.”

Kitty Myers, an administrative specialist in the clinical support unit, said, “It’s the little things that help us know we are still supported and trusted.”

“It is so important for us to allow people to show gratitude in a way that is meaningful to them,” St. Luke’s Magic Valley Health Foundation executive director Dawn Soto said. “It is often part of the healing process as well. This could come in the form of a simple note of thanks or it could be a donation on someone’s behalf.

“The gesture of giving thanks comes in all forms.”

Read the messages of gratitude and encouragement from the community around the Magic Valley in their own words.