The holidays are right around the corner. Many of us are contemplating celebrations and gatherings with loved ones. While the holidays may look at little different this year, by paying attention to safe practices we can enjoy this festive time and help keep everyone safe.

Set a Plan and Limit Travel

It is important to discuss plans with one another to help promote safe practices. This gives everyone the opportunity to discuss their concerns and a time to develop a plan that everyone can agree to. If public air/ground transportation would be required to have a gathering, consider having a virtual gathering instead.

Safe Practices to Keep in Mind While Gathering

• Hand washing – either with soap and water or using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Disinfect high touch areas – places such as door knobs, light switches and countertops that are often touched by more than one person should be disinfected often
• Maintain social distancing – distancing of at least 6 feet
• Have an outdoor gathering – there is more room to spread out, but if it is too cold to be outside, consider cracking a window or door to help circulate fresh air
• Wear your masks – make sure the masks covers both your nose and mouth – especially when social distancing is difficult

Food Preparation and Distribution

Your best option is to limit shared foods. If food must be shared, plan to have one person be the designated food server. Other options include, having it be a bring your own food gathering or order individually packaged food from a local restaurant.

Additional Resources

“COVID-19: Holiday Celebrations and Small Gatherings”. CDC. Retrieved 18 November 2020.

“Celebrating Thanksgiving”. CDC. Retrieved 18 November 2020.

“COVID-19 (coronavirus) and holiday celebrations: Tips for gathering safely”. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 18 November 2020.

We’re hosting our online $5 jewelry sale just in time for stocking stuffers. Join us Monday 11/23-Wednesday 11/25. Proceeds will benefit Riverside’s Patient Touches Fund.

Shop at store.masqueradefundraising.com, enter 5771 at checkout and orders will be shipped directly to your home.

Teddi Lewis of Pastoral Care won the individual contest & the residents of Miller won the group contest for the MarketPlace Gift Shop’s 2020 Ugly Mask Competition. Each received holiday prize baskets and Teddi’s win even came on her 5 year anniversary with Riverside! Happy Holidays!

Thanks to the EPIC, IS, and Analytics team, our employee food pantry is covered for 5 weeks! Their $1,320 fundraising total is the highest raised by a single department to date!

**Picture of 2019 Team**

November 16th will kick off the holiday season at the gift shop. Come throughout the week to buy your Riverside Essential Worker t-shirt, unique holiday gifts, and more. Please help us maintain socially-distanced shopping. Our first priority is everyone’s safety.

To spread out shoppers, we’ve extended our hours this week:

• Monday 11/16 – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Special overnight hours on Friday, 11/20 – 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Saturday 11/21 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Regular hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Want more information about an item or to purchase an item you saw in this week’s video or in the pictures below? Call the Marketplace Gift Shop (815) 935-7871 during regular hours to see if the item is still available or to purchase the item over the phone. Riverside employees can have items sent directly to your department.