With Gratitude
Dear Editor: My letter of gratitude starts with a riddle. Which local Sitkan and business owner is a combination of a beloved children’s television show icon, a fictional character from a classic holiday movie, and a country music star? If you guessed Trish White, you are either a mighty fast thinker or you have already spent some time thinking about this pharmacist’s contribution to our community.
Mr. Rogers. One of Mr. Rogers’ hallmarks was his readiness to deal with the important and often sad things happening in the world. He remembered that when he was a child and was scared by the news, his mother would remind him, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Sitka has had no shortage of people helping during the Covid crisis – including Trish White, her family, pharmacy staff, and the “Vaccine Team” offering vaccination clinics on Fridays.
White’s vaccine team is coming up on one-year anniversary of offering vaccinations to Sitkans. While the operation runs smoothly, it has had its challenges. Extra training was required to certify the pharmacy for immunization, meaning extra work and learning for pharmacy staff. Six people are dedicated to the clinic on Fridays. An additional person preps on Thursday, ensuring that the vaccination shipment includes needed auxiliary supplies. The vaccination scheduling system is complex and required a steep learning curve. During the year, Trish has made herself available to answer the public’s questions about vaccinations. With no clear end to vaccinations in sight, extra gratitude to Trish and the vaccine team as they work toward a return to normal.
George Bailey of Bedford Falls. What does it take to have a wonderful life, a wonderful community? People like George Bailey and people like Trish White, who not only works a long day helping people, but uses her own time to make the community better. Trish is on the board of the Sitka Sound Science Center. She is part of the local emergency planning commission. She does committee work for the Chamber of Commerce and is an active member of the Hope Coalition. Imagine our community without the Georges, minus the Trishes. It would be a bleak place.
Dolly Parton. Dolly grows more amazing year after year and her generosity makes so much possible. At the beginning of the COVID crisis, Dolly donated one million dollars to the development of the Moderna vaccine. She established the Imagination Library which provides free books for children ages 0-5 and serves more than 250 of Sitka’s children. Locally, Trish and her family business reach every child. Through tip jar donations, sponsorships, business donations, and in-kind, Trish and her team impact the life every child and most adults in Sitka. Whether it is sponsoring a Little League team or a women’s league, supporting Sitka Trail Works or paying for a duck in the Rotary’s race, we all benefit. Dolly leads by example, too, publicly posing for her own vaccination shot. Especially during this COVID time, I feel great gratitude to people like Dolly and Trish, willing to be public faces for those facilitating vaccination.
Kari Sagel, Sitka
