WARSAW — Area residents sent a loud signal of support to workers at Kosciusko Community Hospital Thursday night, April 2 as health care workers battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

The parking lot at Kosciusko Community Hospital was filled with vehicles Thursday night as part of a public rally, “Shining Lights on Healthcare Help,” led by Pastor John B. Lowe II. 

The public was invited to participate by parking in the hospital’s north parking lot at 8 p.m. with headlights directed toward the hospital. Various fire departments showed up with fire trucks.

Alexis Smith, 17, of Warsaw, and cousin, Nathan Bess, 18, drove separately and parked alongside each other facing the hospital entrance. Bess said he’s heard of similar rallies elsewhere designed to show support for health care workers.

Smith was impressed with the turnout.

“I didn’t expect this many people to be here, but I think it’s a good turnout. It’s good to support with everything going on and show them that we’re here for them because they risk their lives out there every day for us,” Smith said.

Hospital employees came outside to wave at the supporters. Several held up signs thanking the public for their support.

Jennifer Alley-Fisher, an ER nurse, was one of a dozen or so KCH employees who came out to watch the rally.

“It’s beautiful! It makes me tear up. It’s awesome. Very awesome,” Alley-Fisher said.

She said she was surprised at the turnout and appreciated it.

“We are doing everything we can to keep our community safe and we like to see the support,” she said.

The rally began when organizers encouraged people to start honking horns and flashing their headlights while emergency sirens chimed in as well from firefighters.

Ken Locke, director of the Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association, was one of the speakers.

“Kosciusko County, you always come through — and we appreciate it,” said Locke. “God is calling us out and we need to be looking to him.”

Pastor Lowe offered up a prayer for “all the hospitals across this great land and also all the nursing homes — they are very vulnerable at this time. We want to make sure we pray for them — the long-term caregivers.”

Following the time of prayer, Locke asked attendees to repeat the following words: “God is good, His word is true, and by his grace, He will get us through.”

The event ended in a final signal to KCH workers with a lengthy blast of honking horns and blaring sirens.

– Reporter Dan Spalding contributed to this report.