Everyday Hero

Lois Roth is one of the many volunteers that has been helping at the Henry County COVID-19 vaccination clinics. As a registered nurse and the vice chair of the Henry County Board of Health, Roth felt she could give back to the community by helping with the vaccination clinics.

'One of the things I like about Henry County is that we have a great community,” she said. 'We help each other out, and we're there for each other, so giving back to the community is something I enjoy.”

Since the Henry County Public Health Department moved onto Phase 1B with the vaccinations, Roth has been an avid volunteer at the clinics. Typically, she is one of the volunteers that stays in the post-vaccine waiting areas.

'It's been fantastic so far,” she said. 'People are appreciative of the clinics, and sometimes I get to catch up with some familiar faces I haven't seen in a while.”

'It's good to see so many people willing to get the vaccine, especially when there seems to be a (division) in the community about COVID measures,” Roth said.

Public Health Director Shelley Van Dorin praised Roth and the rest of the clinic volunteers for their service.

'We can't do the vaccination clinics without the volunteers,” Dorin said. 'They are unbelievable with their help, and we really appreciate it.”

In addition to volunteering with the clinics and serving on the Board of Health, Roth is involved with her church, the First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant, and the community. She spent between 12 to 15 years on the Mt. Pleasant school board, and each month on the first Monday, she and five other volunteers help unload food trucks at the Community Action of Southeast Iowa Tolson Center.

- Mariah Giberson