Jeff Pack
Staff Writer
By now, most everyone in the Temecula Valley has seen the social media posts with photographs of signs that read “Heroes Work Here” in front of three of the area’s hospitals.
It was the idea of Andrea Dunham and Kendra Thomas, owners of Card Your Yard, a yard decorating company the specializes in graduations, birthdays, Mother’s/Father’s Day, welcome home and more.
“My first reaction was … unbelievable, an incredible message there for our team members at Southwest Healthcare,” Brian Connors, Director of Marketing at Southwest Healthcare System, said. “I tell you that we’ve got an incredible staff and they’re giving it their all and to have this kind of a sign when they drive up, I tell you, I heard comment after comment of how that energized them, that motivated them, that made them feel so good to see that, it was incredible.”
While they were installing the signs in front of the hospitals, they got immediate feedback, Thomas said.
“The first location I went to, Inland Valley, an employee pulled over where I was setting up,” she said. “He told me that no one has done anything or said anything to them to show them they are appreciated. This made me so happy that we were doing it.
“Other cars stopped and took pictures and said thank you. When I went to Rancho Springs, two ambulances stopped by to say thank you and tell me how much everyone had loved the cards over at Inland Valley. We hope it shows the gratitude we feel for what they are doing for all of us.”
Dunham and Thomas bought the business from a friend a little more than a year ago to make some extra money on the side.
“Both of us have other jobs but thought it would be a great way to make a little extra money each month and help spread joy in the process,” the pair said. “Both of us have had to take a break from our day jobs since they were non-essential so this has been a blessing. We feel so thankful that the community has embraced our business during this time. Because of that, we wanted to pay our gratitude forward. We wanted to make sure that those who are still working to provide for us, feel recognized and appreciated.”
Connors said the gesture touched everyone at the facilities.
“There are people, from all the first responders, the police, the fire, obviously our healthcare workers here, they’re giving it their all right now and to see this kind of thing it brightened their day,” he said. “It was an incredible type of display of affection and admiration for the team. So we can’t thank them enough.”
Thomas said they appreciate the kind words.
“It is pretty special to know that our job provides joy and happiness when people see it,” she said. “We would like to encourage everyone to do their part to make this world a brighter and better place.”
Jeff Pack can be reached by email at jpack@reedermedia.com.
