Drive-thru prayer vigil to be held tonight at OHRH

November 24, 2020 | 12:10 am

Updated November 23, 2020 | 10:37 pm

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A drive-thru prayer vigil will be held today from 5-6 p.m. at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, marking the second community event held to honor the local doctors, nurses and other hospital staff who’ve cared for patients and put their own lives at risk since the COVID-19 pandemic began. 

Those holding the event said participants can flash their lights and honk their horns to acknowledge the ongoing sacrifices made by the people working the front lines on a daily basis. 

Jackie Tipmore, an Owensboro resident who used to work at the bank inside OHRH, said she got to know and became close friends with many of the hospital staff during her time there. After organizing a drive-in prayer vigil for hospital workers in March, Tipmore decided to organize a second event. 

Tipmore said she got the initial idea from a news report that showed a community honoring its healthcare workers in Georgia. 

“I thought, ‘How cool would it be for us to do that?’ It was overwhelming, the people who showed up the first time,” she said. “We had [a time for prayer] and socially distanced throughout it. With this week being Thanksgiving and COVID numbers overwhelming the hospital right now, we need to be thankful.” 

During the first event, Tipmore said she looked over her shoulder to see a long line of cars stretching down the U.S. 60 bypass — all filled with people who were waiting to pull into the hospital parking lot and show their support. 

Tipmore called the moment very touching as she thought, “Our town really came through with this.”  

She isn’t sure how many will make an appearance at the vigil this time, but Tipmore said she’d be happy to see at least 50 vehicles in the parking lot. The OHRH security team will guide people to the correct parking lot upon arrival and cars should try to face the hospital the best they can, Tipmore said. 

People will be allowed to park at the hospital but must stay in their vehicles during the event and abide by CDC social distancing guidelines. 

Local first responders also offered their support in April to healthcare workers by parking along the inner roads at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital and flashing their lights.

November 24, 2020 | 12:10 am

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