Drive-by hosted to show support to staff, residents at Iler Lodge

by Sylene Argent On Tuesday, a long motorcade, led by Town of Essex service vehicles and a fire truck, drove by Iler Lodge with horns honking and signs of inspiration in sight, to show support to the staff and residents. Essex Councillor Kim Verbeek organized the drive-by. She said anyone paying attention to the news lately knows senior resident homes and long-term care facilities have been on lockdown for around a month because of the COVID-19 emergency. Verbeek said many of the staff members and residents are fearful and have been isolated in that time. “We wanted them to know the Town of Essex, staff members, and residents support them,” she said, adding they wanted to show appreciation for the workers and let the residents know they are not forgotten. The word “hero” has been thrown around a lot lately, Verbeek said, but those who work in long-term care facilities definitely fit that definition. Verbeek was please with the number of individuals who participated in the event.