Nurses Benefit from Jason's Deli, Dunworth Foundation TODAY

The Dunworth Foundation for the Performing Arts has assumed the role of lifting spirits.

Today, the arts initiative will come to the aid of first responders and caregivers, those who have given unselfishly during the throes of the pandemic.

Jason’s Deli in Oak Lawn is giving artistic license and “the keys to the deli” to Dunworth to:

· Thank nurses with a free meal

· Designate 15% of each purchase for the Marc Dunworth Foundation

· Entertain contributing families and patrons with an afternoon puppet show and caricature drawings in the evening

And did we mention free ice cream Saturday at Jason’s Deli at 6260 West 95th Street in Oak Lawn?

“Performing arts has a way of putting our struggles in perspective,” said Kim O’Connor, Operations and Special Projects Coordinator for Nursing at Advocate Christ Medical Center.

“Kindness has come from all directions to help us and now Dunworth Foundation and Jason’s Deli are giving us a Saturday just down the street from our Oak Lawn medical campus. We are so grateful for this and all the acknowledgements of support for our nurses and caregivers.

"We know the community will follow because so many lives locally have been impacted by COVID-19, and it’s not over.”

The Dunworth Foundation for the Performing Arts set up to say “thanks” to the nurses who cared for or are caring for COVID-19 patients.

All Advocate Christ Medical Center nurses who cared for -- or are caring for -- COVID-19 patients are considered “special guests” of the Dunworth Foundation from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday. The first 75 nurse attendees from who RSVP will receive free meals with proof of employee ID in order to and get a wristband.

Community members are encouraged to contribute throughout Saturday’s Deli hours from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. when 15% of all sales will go to the Dunworth Foundation for them to disseminate to causes connected to first responders and caregivers.

Jason’s Deli takes to “family friendly” fun from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. as Susan Fulcher takes center state with the Suzettes’ Puppets. Adam Belmares, a caricature artist will follow at 5 p.m.

One year after receiving the first COVID-19-positive patient, nurses in the Chicagoland area published “Through Our Eyes,” a collection of 40 firsthand narratives written by Advocate Christ Medical Center nurses caring for COVID-19 patients in the spring of 2020.

“Through Our Eyes” books will be available to the community throughout the day at Jason’s Deli. Nurse will be available from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. to sign the books.

These often difficult, eye-opening accounts confirm the suffering, heartbreak, and despair of a pandemic. Along the journey the reader witnesses the resilience, bravery and adaptability, not just of the health care team, but also of the human spirit.

Each narrative provides a raw glimpse of what is was like to be a COVID-19 nurse—through their eyes and heart.

Overseeing the book development was Lynn Hennessy MS, MBA, RN, NEA-BC Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer, who thinks a better grasp of the pandemic can best be seen through nurses who have been hands-on caregivers for the last year.

“It is my hope that reading about the COVID-19 pandemic through their eyes will bring forth a better understanding of how our caregivers have suffered—and yet endured,” said Hennessy.

Our clinical and support teams care for all of our patients as if they are family. They also take care of each other because we are like family. I am eternally proud of and grateful for their dedication.”

“Through Our Eyes” will be available to the community to peruse throughout the day at Jason’s Deli. One of the book’s nurse authors, Maribeth O’Connell of Mount Greenwood, will be on hand to sign books and answer questions from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. Books can be purchased on site within this timeframe.

Through Our Eyes can be purchased for $40 at http://donate.advocategiving.org/supportnurses. Customers can select to have their order shipped or ready for pick up at Advocate Christ Medical Center’s Cashier’s office, which is located on the 1st floor next to elevator A. Through Our Eyes is also available for sale at Bookies, 10324 S. Western Avenue in Chicago and at 2015 Ridge Road, Homewood, IL. All proceeds from the book’s sales benefit the hospital’s Nursing Research, Education, and Wellness fund.

Learn more about this event at the Dunworth Foundation’s blog: https://www.dunworthfoundation...

The Dunworth Foundation and Jason’s Deli will take reservations from licensed nurses employed by ACMC who plan to attend the event for the 5-7 pm complimentary mealtime. If you’ll attend, please take a minute to submit an RSVP!

All members of the community are welcome through the day and should mention the fundraiser to have 15% of all sales benefit the Dunworth foundation and their future community work.