Sanford hosts ‘Thank You Drive Through’ ice cream socials

As a gesture of thanks during the pandemic, Sanford gives out free ice cream

Written by
July 15, 2020
4 min read
Sanford hosts ‘Thank You Drive Through’ ice cream socials
Sanford Health hosts 'Thank You Drive Through' ice cream socials to thank community members for their support during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo and video by Simon Floss, Sanford Health)

Ice cream socials are a summertime staple.

There’s few things better than a cold treat on a hot day. But, ice cream socials in 2020 look a bit different, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All week, Sanford Health is hosting Thank You Drive Through events, handing out ice cream to people who live in smaller communities Sanford serves.

“It’s just an opportunity for us to say ‘thanks,’ and give back,” said Kelly Schroer, pharmacy technician at Sanford Health in Luverne, Minnesota.

‘Luverne is a strong family’

Schroer says that like everywhere, the pandemic has been hard on those working and living in Luverne.

But, hard times make for stronger communities, says Schroer.

“There’s a good sense of community. People have come together and adjusted to the change. Life looks so differently, but people are adapting, and people are ready to move forward. There’s good that has come with the change, too.”

Some of the good that’s came from the pandemic, is more creative ways to help out neighbors, according to Schroer.

“It makes you think about others more, before yourself. Then, it’s just an awareness. How could I help somebody else out? It heightens awareness. So, people are more mindful, and might have to be more clever and creative in how you help somebody,” said Schroer.

“It’s bonded people together because everybody’s working through it together. It may look different for each individual, but we’re all going through the same challenge together. It’s a strengthener,” she added.

Schroer, and other Sanford employees who volunteered to hand out ice cream sandwiches and Sanford temporary tattoos, say that they saw “steady traffic” of community members driving through.

“I’ve been out here about 45 minutes. I bet we’ve got at least 150 ice cream sandwiches gone. I got to say hi to four puppies, too. So, it’s kind of fun,” said Schroer.

Events near you

Thank You Drive Through events are happening at these locations across the Sanford Health region:

Sanford Health will also host these events in Brookings (1-3 p.m. Thursday, July 16), Ipswich (1-2 p.m. Thursday, July 16), Jackson (2-4 p.m. Thursday, July 16), Estelline, (2-4 p.m. Friday, July 17), and Lake Norden (2-4 p.m. Friday, July 17).

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Posted In Aberdeen, Beresford, Brookings, Canton-Inwood, Chamberlain, Clear Lake, Community, COVID-19, Jackson, Luverne, Rock Rapids, Vermillion, Watertown, Webster, Westbrook, Worthington

Simon Floss
Simon Floss produces multimedia stories for Sanford Health News. A former Emmy nominated TV news anchor, reporter, producer, and photographer, he brings nearly a decade of experience to the team at Sanford Health News. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his fiancée and their two animals Tobias (cat) and Winnie (dog). You'll also likely find him on a stage somewhere - he's a member of The Goodnight Theatre Collective, a Sioux Falls based professional theatre company, and also fronts a local rock cover band, Bangers and Mash. You can reach him at simon.floss@sanfordhealth.org.