Students’ Valentine’s Day cards and flowers an ‘unexpected’ surprise for Elgin hospital workers

An Article by the Chicago Tribune

Bridgette Craig ended her nursing shift at Elgin’s Advocate Sherman Hospital early Monday with a Valentine’s Day surprise: A carnation and a handmade card made by a local student thanking for her work as a first responder.

“I was not expecting this at all,” Craig said. “It’s really an unexpected thing that makes me feel appreciated.”

The gifts were presented to her by state Reps. Anna Moeller and Suzanne Ness, who came to the hospital Monday to pass out flowers and the cards made by School District U-46 and Community School District 300 students.

Armando Martinez, who has managed one of Sherman’s COVID units since May 2021, said one of the cards he received said, “Thank you for not letting us get COVID.” It was written by a child named Leigh, and was presented like a storybook in which nurses and doctors helped end the virus, he said.