In photos: Hundreds line up in support of Racine health care workers in April 2020
Hundreds of cars lined up Friday to show their support and appreciation for hospital workers caregivers at Ascension All Saints Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drivers flashed car lights to support workers who selflessly show up each day to care for their patients.
Flashin First Friday
A sign on nurse Melisa Palacios' car during the Flashin' First Friday parade of cars through the parking lot of Ascension All Saints Hospital, 3801 Spring St., Racine, on April 3.
Flashin First Friday
Adrienne Cramer tapes a sign to her car before the start the Flashin First Friday parade of cars through the parking lot of Ascension All Saints Hospital, 3801 Spring Street in Racine, on Friday evening, April 3, 2020, as members of the Racine community show their support and appreciation for the frontline caregivers at hospital during the coronavirus pandemic. The event, who was organized by nurse Melisa Palacios, was a way for the community to support the doctors, nurses, and associates inside, who show up each day to care for their patients, during this pandemic. According to a Racine Police Officer, fifty cars were expected by Palacios, but he estimated over 1,200 cars full of people drove through the parking lot.
Flashin First Friday
Organizer Melisa Palacios reacts to the number of cars that showed up for the Flashin First Friday parade of cars through the parking lot of Ascension All Saints Hospital, 3801 Spring Street in Racine, on Friday evening, April 3, 2020, as members of the Racine community show their support and appreciation for the frontline caregivers at hospital during the coronavirus pandemic. The event, who was organized by nurse Melisa Palacios, was a way for the community to support the doctors, nurses, and associates inside, who show up each day to care for their patients, during this pandemic. According to a Racine Police Officer, fifty cars were expected by Palacios, but he estimated over 1,200 cars full of people drove through the parking lot.
Flashin First Friday
Cars travel past the emergency room entrance during the Flashin' First Friday parade of cars through the parking lot of Ascension All Saints Hospital, 3801 Spring St.
Flashin First Friday
Cars travel past the main entrance.
Flashin First Friday
Hospital staffers wave as cars travel past the emergency room entrance.
Flashin First Friday
Cars fill the roads and parking lots during the Flashin' First Friday parade.
Flashin First Friday
A police officer directs cars travel past the emergency room entrance during the Flashin First Friday parade of cars through the parking lot of Ascension All Saints Hospital, 3801 Spring St., Racine, on Friday evening as members of the Racine community show their support and appreciation for the front-line caregivers at hospital during the coronavirus pandemic. According to a Racine Police officer, 50 cars were expected, but he estimated 1,200 cars full of people drove through the parking lot.
Flashin First Friday
A young woman waves a sign of support as cars travel past the emergency room entrance.
Flashin First Friday
Hospital staffers wave as cars travel past the emergency room entrance during the Flashin First Friday parade of cars through the parking lot of Ascension All Saints Hospital, 3801 Spring St., Racine, on Friday evening.
Flashin First Friday
Cars fill the parking lot and honk their horns during the Flashin' First Friday parade of cars.
Flashin First Friday
Azariyah Gaston holds a thank-you sign during the Flashin' First Friday parade.
Flashin First Friday
A sign is held up as cars travel past the emergency room entrance.
Flashin First Friday
Children attach a homemade sign to their car during the Flashin First Friday parade of cars through the parking lot of Ascension All Saints Hospital, 3801 Spring Street in Racine, on Friday evening, April 3, 2020, as members of the Racine community show their support and appreciation for the frontline caregivers at hospital during the coronavirus pandemic. The event, who was organized by nurse Melisa Palacios, was a way for the community to support the doctors, nurses, and associates inside, who show up each day to care for their patients, during this pandemic. According to a Racine Police Officer, fifty cars were expected by Palacios, but he estimated over 1,200 cars full of people drove through the parking lot.
Flashin First Friday
Cars travel past the main entrance during the Flashin First Friday parade of cars through the parking lot of Ascension All Saints Hospital, 3801 Spring Street in Racine, on Friday evening, April 3, 2020, as members of the Racine community show their support and appreciation for the frontline caregivers at hospital during the coronavirus pandemic. The event, who was organized by nurse Melisa Palacios, was a way for the community to support the doctors, nurses, and associates inside, who show up each day to care for their patients, during this pandemic. According to a Racine Police Officer, fifty cars were expected by Palacios, but he estimated over 1,200 cars full of people drove through the parking lot.
Flashin First Friday
Hospital staffers wave as cars travel past the emergency room entrance.
Flashin First Friday
A woman waves American flags as she travels past the emergency room entrance during the Flashin First Friday parade of cars through the parking lot of Ascension All Saints Hospital, 3801 Spring Street in Racine, on Friday evening, April 3, 2020, as members of the Racine community show their support and appreciation for the frontline caregivers at hospital during the coronavirus pandemic. The event, who was organized by nurse Melisa Palacios, was a way for the community to support the doctors, nurses, and associates inside, who show up each day to care for their patients, during this pandemic. According to a Racine Police Officer, fifty cars were expected by Palacios, but he estimated over 1,200 cars full of people drove through the parking lot.
Flashin First Friday
Hospital staffers wave from a upper-floor room as cars travel past.
Flashin First Friday
Cars fill the roads during the Flashin First Friday parade of cars through the parking lot of Ascension All Saints Hospital, 3801 Spring Street in Racine, on Friday evening, April 3, 2020, as members of the Racine community show their support and appreciation for the frontline caregivers at hospital during the coronavirus pandemic. The event, who was organized by nurse Melisa Palacios, was a way for the community to support the doctors, nurses, and associates inside, who show up each day to care for their patients, during this pandemic. According to a Racine Police Officer, fifty cars were expected by Palacios, but he estimated over 1,200 cars full of people drove through the parking lot.
Flashin First Friday
A woman records he scene as car travel past the hospital during the Flashin First Friday parade of cars through the parking lot of Ascension All Saints Hospital, 3801 Spring Street in Racine, on Friday evening, April 3, 2020, as members of the Racine community show their support and appreciation for the frontline caregivers at hospital during the coronavirus pandemic. The event, who was organized by nurse Melisa Palacios, was a way for the community to support the doctors, nurses, and associates inside, who show up each day to care for their patients, during this pandemic. According to a Racine Police Officer, fifty cars were expected by Palacios, but he estimated over 1,200 cars full of people drove through the parking lot.
Flashin First Friday
A woman prays during the Flashin' First Friday parade of cars.
“We are at a critical point in our battle against COVID-19. As our local hospitals reach capacity, the pandemic has placed an alarming strain on health care workers,” County Executive Jonathan Delagrave stated Friday.
"I think I’m allergic to sun. I am much more awake at night,” Gary Homeier, RN, joked as he walked out of Ascension All Saints Thursday morning, clearly smiling underneath his face mask after a long shift through the night.
Don’t come to the hospital.
