Auburn Mayor Honors Price for Park and Pray
November 12, 2021
Mayor Anders and Jani Price
Jani Price, wife of Sam Price, our chief financial officer, was honored with a Lamplighter Award in late October by Auburn Mayor Ron Anders for quietly starting the Park and Pray initiative at EAMC in March 2020. Here’s what Mayor Anders shared prior to presenting Jani with one of six Lamplighter awards during his annual State of the City address at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center.
“Author Frank Viola once said, ‘He will put people on our hearts, sometimes burdening us to pray, speak to or serve them in some way. When that happens, we should act—not trusting in ourselves—but relying wholly on His power and ability.’
In March 2020, our lives, way of life, our world was attacked by a virus. With little understanding and no time to prepare, panic became commonplace. Demand for rapid decisions regarding a barely known enemy was widespread. Some retreated to isolation, some tried to keep business and society moving, and many became sick.
The staff at East Alabama Health faced a new dilemma. People were ill, many severely, the numbers were significant, their space was overrun, their bodies exhausted, their hearts broken by loss. Many in our community offered assistance. Meal after meal was delivered, much organized by our chamber of commerce. Citizens changed their lifestyle in an effort to not catch and then spread the virus. Loud debates over indoor activities, personal space, capacity limits, and yes, masks, dominated the discourse of social media, media and public meetings. I’m sure, looking back, that some of this mattered. But not like the power of prayer.
Our next lamplighter led an extraordinary effort to pray for the doctors, nurses, staff of EAMC. By following a directive from God, she inquired about praying for the worn out staff as the pandemic raged on. Told that the initiative must remain outside, she effected what could only be called a movement.
Park and Pray started as a question and became a point of encouragement to those on the front lines. One person prayed, and felt led by God to do more, she worked with Chaplain Laura to put out a call to her community and sustained an effort. Seven in the morning, seven in the evening. Shifts change. Exhausted people depart, courageous people enter, patients fight for their lives. As the transition occurred, hundreds, if not thousands, of people encircled the hospital, on the deck, on the roadways, even in a fast food parking lot so the intensive care staff could see their car lights. She desires to be behind the scenes. Accounted for in an article as a friend of Laura Eason, but for those on her heart, she is in the front row with God. Tonight, your community says thank you for praying for us in the most difficult of times.”
Price, wife of Sam Price, our chief financial officer, was honored with a Lamplighter Award in late October by Auburn Mayor Ron Anders for quietly starting the Park and Pray activities at EAMC in March 2020.
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