HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — The Parade of Lights was a way for first responders in north Mecklenburg County to show their support for our health care workers. Channel 9 followed the parade Wednesday, which stretched from Huntersville to Cornelius.
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“We just want to make sure that our health care workers, we’re calling them our healthcare heroes, the men the woman, the hospital staff, we want them to know we appreciate their endless hard work that they’ve been doing for weeks,” said Bill Suthard, with the Huntersville Fire Department.
The Huntersville Fire Department also rode with Mecklenburg EMS/MEDIC, the Davidson Police Department, Cornelius Police Department, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Davidson Fire Department, Cornelius Fire Department, Long Creek Fire Department and Huntersville Police Department.
“It’s great for us to be able to go out there and show our appreciation, and show that we are all in this together,” said Officer Odette Saglimbeni, with the Huntersville Police Department.
People showed up with their families to wave, cheer and share the experience with others.
Olivia Christian, who watched the parade from Atrium Health in Huntersville, said, “I’m here to support our community.”
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First responders traveled to four medical facilities: Novant Health off Gilead Road, Atrium Health off Statesville Road, Novant Health Lakeside Family Physicians - Antiquity and to Novant Health Lakeside Family Physicians - Jetton.
While many staff members couldn’t come outside to see it themselves, Joe Labovitz, VP of Operations at Atrium Health Huntersville & University City, said they appreciated the visit.
“It’s just been great. The outpouring of support from the community form first responders to local restaurants to local neighbors bringing us donations of food. It’s been wonderful. It’s actually very touching,” said Labovitz.
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