A deep appreciation for the selflessness of Windsor-area health care workers is being expressed by U.S. diplomats, as Canadians continue to provide care to American citizens in Detroit-area hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. Consulate in Toronto, working in partnership with the City of Windsor, will be handing out 900 restaurant gift cards to local health care workers on Tuesday, in celebration of International Nurses Day. The consulate is asking those hard-working health care workers who cross the U.S.-Canada border to “Take a Break on Us” in the form of coffee, breakfast, or lunch.
“As our two countries face the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, we rely on each other more than ever," said Consul General Greg Stanford, who is a Michigan resident and a frequent visitor to the Windsor-Detroit area. "Your support to vulnerable Americans during this crisis is deeply appreciated. Now more than ever, the ties that keep us together are vitally important.”
The gift cards will be useable at participating restaurants in Windsor, which will also provide a boost to Windsor’s food and beverage industry.
Stanford and his colleagues will distribute the gift cards at the Ambassador Bridge and the Windsor-Detroit tunnel on Tuesday from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens will join Stanford to show his appreciation as well.
The Windsor-area restaurants participating in the gift card initiative include Hikari Restaurant, Grand Cantina, Eddy’s Bistro, Olde School Deli, Kildare House, Spago, Gilligan’s, Thai Palace Restaurant, and Arcata Pizzeria.
Over 1,500 health care workers who live in Windsor-Essex are employed in Michigan.