Rapides nurses deliver 'kisses for cops'

Rapides Regional Medical Center nurses staff delivered "kisses for cops" Wednesday. They started the morning delivering baskets of Hershey's Kisses to the Alexandria Police Department, followed by stops at the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office, Pineville Police Department and Louisiana State Police Troop E.

Accompanying the candy were large tri-fold posters decorated for Thanksgiving signed by people from several departments at the hospital. Large yellow letters told police that Rapides Regional is "thankful for you."

"That's what means so much to us — that people took time out of their day (to thank us)," APD Chief Loren Lampert said.

Day Surgery nurses Jana Bordelon and Elizabeth Brossett hand-delivered the baskets and notes the day before Thanksgiving. Brossett said they wanted to show gratitude to law enforcement officers working during the holidays — like nurses — especially after "so many tragedies" involving police across the country.

"We wanted to show them there are people who really care, that they are being prayed for," Brossett said.

"We were just counting our blessings," Bordelon said. "We always do a little project, and we wanted to give the cops a little thank you."

Lampert said the delivery was humbling.

"And it so reinforces why we do what we do," he said. "In a time when people are so quick to criticize, it shows that for the most part people understand everyone just wants to do the right thing. Thankful is what we are."

As the wife of a retired state trooper, Bordelon understands the sacrifice law enforcement and their families make.

"I was there," she said. "We just want them to know we're grateful for them keeping our communities safe."

"And it's a choice," Brossett added. "They're not drafted into this. And they're not quitting. Imagine what it would be like if they decided to."