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Medical offices across Troup County are gearing up to give back to their nurses for nurses’ week.

National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12, which acknowledges the many services provided by nurses everywhere.

“Typically, I’ll reach out to hospice, or home care to see if they can donate food for each day,” said LaGrange Health and Rehab Activity Director Heather Moore. “Then, by the end of the week, we would have them a gift. But with all of this going on this year, nobody’s really able to do a whole lot.”

Moore said they are now collecting donations to buy lunches and a gift for the nurses during the week.

“If someone wants to donate, they can just call me,” Moore said. “We can set up a date and time for them to come here and meet outside. Or we can just do it all over the phone.”

Moore can be reached at (706) 812-9293.

“We’re just looking for like some gifts for the nurses, especially things they can use right now,” Moore said. “Like pens, hair ties, the homemade headbands for the masks. The headbands have been really successful because these masks really hurt our ears.”

Moore also said they would love if someone could bring platters from Chick-Fil-A or other sub sandwiches from local restaurants.

“It’s so important we give back to our nurses,” Moore said. “They take care of our residents out here. They’re the ones doing the majority of the full work, them and the certified nursing assistants. They are a very important key in our work.”

Moore also added that the community should reach out to other medical offices and nursing homes across the community to give back to the nurses.

2020 is also noted as the Year of the Nurse. It is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Florence Nightingales career as a nurse began during a war, the Crimean War.

WellStar West Georgia and its entities also have surprises planned for their nurses as well.

“I cannot say enough about the gratitude and respect I have for our nurses at WellStar West Georgia,” said WellStar West Georgia Medical Center President Coleman Foss. “They have stood in the gap risking their own well-being to care for others. That kind of determination and compassion cannot be measured. Additionally, there are so many other team members who have equally put the care of others above their own needs. I can only express my deep appreciation for what our entire team has accomplished. I am honored to work with them all.”