The Rotary Club of Stone Mountain is showing appreciation for community medical and other essential workers in the month of May. The club created yard signs recognizing these essential workers for their commitment and sacrifice during the COVID-19 pandemic. The signs were sold in May for $30 apiece, with a percentage of the proceeds benefiting the Stone Mountain Cooperative Ecumenical Ministry, which provides food, clothing, and personal care items to those in need.

The club has been holding virtual weekly meetings since March, adhering to local and state recommendations to stem the spread of the virus. With the members observing shelter-in-place and social distancing recommendations, the club was unable to undertake its regular community projects which benefit a lot of local organizations like the Stone Mountain Coop. The sign project was one the club could do under the COVID-19 restrictions, since most of the sales were done through phone and email work; then members placed the signs at locations indicated by the buyers.

“Fred Rogers called upon us to look for the helpers during dark times,” said Lizbeth Dison, president of The Rotary Club of Stone Mountain. “During this pandemic, there are helpers everywhere - in our hospitals, picking up our garbage, stocking our shelves, delivering our packages, and so much more. They’re keeping us safe and healthy – and we wanted a way to thank them publicly.”