Jen Glaz, was nervous as she was getting her COVID-19 vaccination at Robbins Health Center-Cook County, but her fears soon were soothed by an unexpected source: the Illinois National Guard staffing the site.
Glaz, an art teacher from Alan B. Shepard High School in Palos Heights, said she experienced compassion from the moment she walked in until she left, but it really hit home after she told Guard members she was nervous, but her son was even more so for his mom.
So Eliana Menlik, a combat medic/health care specialist who gave Glaz her shot, asked for her son’s name. She then wrote “Hi Charlie” on the bandage she placed on Menlik’s arm.
“You can show him this and tell him I took the time to take care of you,” Menlik told her.
Menlik also just happens to be a 2012 graduate of Dwight D. Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, another school in Community High School District 218.
More Top Picks Best Weighted Blankets For Adhd
Glaz was floored by Menlik’s kindness.
“It took only a few seconds for her to do it, but the impact of it was huge,” Glaz said. “It was just like that little added touch and it really meant so much to me.”
Glaz said colleagues from Shepard noticed everyone at the site was helpful, with staff even assisting people with disabilities back to their vehicles.
“I think in times when we’re all scrambling to get our vaccinations and all scrambling for appointments, it could be like that sort of ‘herd them in’ cattle mentality, and sometimes they forget there are people behind those appointments,” she said. “I think they really truly looked at the people behind the appointments.”
Glaz was so touched she organized a big thank-you effort, encouraging faculty members and students to sign a card made by class of 2019 graduate Brianna Davis expressing their gratitude. She also stocked up on bakery treats from the Dough Guys in Crestwood.
“Those are the things that keep people going,” said Glaz about the importance of showing appreciation, especially during the pandemic
Glaz then brought the gifts to Sgt. Reggie Jones and staff at the Illinois National Guard Armory in Crestwood.
Then it was the Guard’s turn to be floored.
“It really made everyone’s day,” Menlik said. “But none of us knew how to react because we were simply doing our part.
“We are all here to help our community. … The only way we will continue moving forward as a community is by helping and working with each other.”
Nancy McGuire, an administrative assistant at Shepard, was wearing a school-logo shirt when she went for her first shot. Menlik noticed and told her she had attended Eisenhower.
The two started chatting and Menlik agreed to come back to the district for a Career Day to talk about her job.
“She was talking about sports between Shepard and Eisenhower, making conversation,” said McGuire. “I’m sure she was doing this with a lot of people just to help them relax.
“She’s just good at her job and I honestly didn’t even feel my injection,” said McGuire, who has worked in the district for 26 years.
When McGuire went back for her second shot, she was met with gratitude from the Guard staffing the site.
“I was the beneficiary of an abundance of gratitude,” said McGuire. “They’re doing this important job and they were thanking me for Jen’s gift.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.