ordinary people doing
extraordinary things in Sweetwater County. This SweetwaterNOW series highlights those often unnoticed acts of kindness to the incredible actions of many in our community.
Kayla Mannikko has always found it important to give back to her community in any way she can. Spreading holiday cheer is just one of the ways she gives back, which became especially significant this year amid the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.
“There can be so much pressure during the holiday season, whether it’s to buy the perfect gift for your loved ones or simply to make sure your children enjoy the season regardless of the pandemic,” Kayla said. “Some families have went from two incomes to one, some families have lost their only income source, and some may still have the income but are separated from each other because of the pandemic. Some people are fighting for their lives and aren’t even thinking about the holidays this year.”
UPDATE As of 1 pm Friday, Mission at Castle Rock already received enough monetary donations to cover the cost of the presents. They issued the below statement on their Facebook page.
GREEN RIVER Mission at Castle Rock Rehabilitation Center has confirmed that they were recently burglarized and their residents’ Christmas presents were stolen and destroyed.
“As many of you may have heard, it is true, Mission at Castle Rock was recently burglarized. Our residents’ Christmas presents were ransacked. As you can only imagine this is devastating to the staff and residents here at Mission,” they wrote on their Facebook page.
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GREEN RIVER Mission at Castle Rock Rehabilitation Center (MCRRC) Executive Director Bobbi Jo Drozd has confirmed with SweetwaterNOW that there have been confirmed COVID-19 Coronavirus cases within the center.
According to Drozd, the center cannot share how many confirmed or suspected cases MCRRC has, however, she said as to date, “everyone is doing well and are stable.”
Drozd said some of those who tested positive are coming out of isolation as of tomorrow.
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“Our Christmas wish is that everyone gets through this safely,” Drozd said.
MCRRC has its COVID-19 unit open, and Dr. David Dansie is the medical director for the center. He is working with the support of Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County to take care of the residents who have tested positive for the virus.