Not All Heroes Wear Capes
Our industry was not immune to an altered state of being as COVID-19 sent shockwaves around the world.
And neither were our loved ones who stood in the face of danger so that we could keep our doors open.
Here are their stories…
Yes, ISI and its partners remained largely operational throughout the COVID-19 pandemic... but business was not as usual.
Throughout the month of April, 2020, we acknowledged a handful of unsung heroes on our social media platforms that are tied to ISI team members via kinship or friendship.
These individuals were a small sampling of those who made great sacrifice for the common good of society.
We celebrated everyone from teachers to nurses, and grandmothers to police officers.
We hope you find inspiration in their stories and view each of their roles in a different light moving forward.
Deb
Grandmas deserve the love! Take Deb, for example, who is putting her sewing skills to good use by making hundreds of masks for local charities and EMS units. Her masks are being used to fit over N95 masks to extend their use as supplies become scarce. They are also being dispersed to the general public as every little bit helps.
While Deb lives in South Dakota and is donating much of her masks to Pennington County EMS, shipments have been making their way to Chicagoland for her family and their circles of friends.
So here’s to all the grandparents of ISI team members who are spending their retirement giving back. May we continue to raise generations with your work ethic!
Joyce
Meet Joyce, a charge nurse at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital. She works in the Cardiac Intermediate Unit which has an increased patient load amid COVID-19. With 22 years under her belt, she is no stranger to long hours and stressful situations. And despite it all, she takes it one day at a time with a smile on her face and a can-do attitude to lift the spirits of her patients and their families.
Cheers to Joyce and the other ISI besties who are making great strides in the fight against this pandemic. We are so appreciative of your service and optimism in these trying times.
Maureen
Maureen teaches 2nd Grade for Yorkville CUSD #115. Her teaching style and lesson plans had to change rapidly to accommodate the new e-learning mandate for Illinois.
She is now a stay-at-home mom of two young children AND a remote-working-teacher with an entire classroom of active students who don’t understand why their worlds have changed so much.
Despite adversity, she has an extraordinary ability to make the school day seem bright, maintains daily check-ins with each student, and continues to be a lifeline for parents who are now donning ‘educator’ hats.
To Maureen and the teachers who are helping ISI team members deal with remote learning today, we thank you!
Jason
People like Jason are cut from a special cloth.
He is fighting fires and responding to increased medical calls. He puts his life before others every…single…day. And he has been doing such for over 15 years for Engine 125 with the Chicago Fire Department.
To Jason and other ISI spouses who are selflessly giving their all to fight COVID-19, we are indebted.
Michelle
COVID-19 has forced the interiors industry to pivot. Many of our social media followers wonder what their new norm will be as job loss, income reduction, and corporate restructuring are unsavory, yet expected buzz words today.
Enter Michelle Rademacher (rp4c.com): a Career Coach who helps professionals navigate uncertain times. She gives clients an honest, yet optimistic assessment of their skills and charts methods to reach career goals or leap into new industries. Having someone to talk to in the professional realm is critical to combat the mental toll that today's environment creates.
And so to Michelle and the other ISI friends who are there to explain that roadblocks from this pandemic DO NOT define one's professional worth, thank you.
Kelsey
Kelsey is an energetic and compassionate nurse at NorthShore University's Glenbrook Hospital. She cares for patients in the oncology department where extreme steps are taken to keep their immune systems strong amid cancer treatments. Additional communication and bedside manner are necessary as hospital visitors are restricted due to COVID-19.
Kelsey puts her health in jeopardy and has adjusted her homelife interactions to ensure that her family remains healthy. So to Kelsey and the other cousins of ISI team members who help heal our loved ones through careers in healthcare, thank you!
Donna
Toilet paper is still hard to come by but other grocery shelves have largely remained stocked throughout the COVID-19 lockdown. That's due in large part to the grocery workers like Donna (Jewel-Osco) and her team who are doing their part to maintain the safety of our food supply. Shifts are longer and weekends shorter during the pandemic for these essential workers. To Donna and the other mothers of ISI team members who ensure that we have food to purchase, prepare, and serve to our loved ones, thank you for your service!
Marvin
Let’s hear it for all the Logistics Supply Technicians like Marvin at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. He delivers and stocks medical supplies and equipment to maintain emergency rooms and other departments.
When seconds are precious, doctors and nurses depend on him to ensure that the tools they need are on-hand in their proper place. To Marvin and the other ISI spouses who support the doctors and nurses combating COVID-19, you are a critical piece of the puzzle and appreciated!
The Crew
These amazing gentlemen are not only friends of ISI team members, but also represent the Elk Grove Township Fire Department. This team is trained in all aspects of rescue, emergency medical services, fire prevention, and the hazardous situation control. Their ability to perform under pressure is critical and paramount during the COVID-19 pandemic. Composure, compassion, tact, and humility are a few qualities this crew exhibits towards the community.
To all of our friends, family, and colleagues who spend their lives making others’ better, safer, and healthier... thank you for all that you do.
Candy
Candy has dedicated the last 25 years to maintaining peace in Chicago. As a police officer she is accustomed to putting her safety at risk to protect others. Amid COVID-19 she now also puts her health at risk to respond to 911 calls throughout the city.
Police officers selflessly serve the public and are faced with increased responsibilities of maintaining order in a society that is on edge and fragile due to statewide shelter-in-place directives. To Candy and the other police officers ISI team members are fortunate to know and love, thank you for your continued commitment to our safety during this pandemic.
John
Let’s hear it for John who has been a police officer for the last three years. His team selflessly serves the public to maintain order and is a lifeline in a variety of situations. Local residents sleep better knowing that his team is still only a phone call away during the COVID-19 lockdown and that help can be there in minutes.
John, the brother of an ISI team member, puts his health and safety on the line every day for the general public because social distancing is not conducive to all police situations.
So cheers to him and his colleagues. Thank you for your dedication, perseverance, diplomacy, and responsiveness throughout this pandemic.
Ninfe & Sarah Jane
Ninfe (LEFT) is a charge, code, and RTT nurse of 32 years. She works in the Surgical ICU at Hines VA Hospital where she pulls 12-hour night shifts to care for critically ill veterans. Her unit was the first to convert for COVID-19.
Sarah Jane, her daughter, graduated from Loyola University Chicago three years ago. She works in the Surgical Trauma ICU at Christ Advocate Hospital. During her 12-hour night shifts she cares for trauma patients and those diagnosed with COVID-19. Ninfe and Sarah Jane are the sister-in-law and niece of an ISI team member. Their compassion and dedication to service is heroic by all measures. So, to our heroines and heroes everywhere, a sincere thank you!
About Installation Specialists, Inc. (ISI):
Established in 1973, ISI is Chicago's largest commercial interiors installation company. They install, receive and deliver, and provide asset management services for commercial furniture, architectural walls, window coverings, millwork and other interior products. ISI consistently sets the bar for expertise, professionalism, and best practices among peers.
ISI is an active member of Facilities Services Network (FSN), an international group of independent installation firms which set new benchmarks for performance and value in the management, installation, and care of contract furniture.