Project Blue Light Happens January 24-31

They work tirelessly to keep us safe and often without a large amount of appreciation.  That's what organizers hope to change with Project Blue Light - an initiative that aims to shine the spotlight on these frontline workers who have been working tirelessly to keep our region and our communities safe during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The week of January 24, public health staff from eleven counties and tribal public health departments will join together - asking businesses and individuals to light up the exterior of their home or business with blue lights, blue lightbulbs, or blue string lights.  Area counties taking part include St. Louis, Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, and Lake - along with Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

In addition to the outside lights for the week, organizers of Project Blue Light are asking employers and schools are encouraged to designate one of the days of the week for everyone to wear blue, businesses are encouraged to display signs and banners, and home owners are asked to hang a poster in a window to honor these important frontline workers.

To bring extra attention to the participation, organizers of Project Blue Light are asking people to take pictures of themselves with their displays and share it on social media.  If you do share a picture in this manner, you're asked to use the hashtag #thankyouwithblue.

While frontline workers like doctors and nurses, police, fire, EMT, border control agents, and the like easily come to mind when thinking about these important positions, organizers are asking that people also don't forget those less-visible frontline workers. Resources that were shared with the announcement of Project Blue Light week gave examples like grocery store workers, fast food and restaurant workers, food supply distribution center workers, mail, custodial, railroad, school administration and teachers, and more.