(PHOTOS) DeKalb County holds food distribution and vaccination event
Stone Mountain resident Lenora Beacham gets a COVID-19 vaccine from DeKalb Fire Rescue Senior Firefighter Michael Sontag during the food and vaccine distribution event at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
DeKalb County, GA — DeKalb County provided residents age 12 and over the opportunity to get a COVID-19 vaccination during its monthly drive-thru food distribution event held at locations in Clarkston, greater Decatur, Doraville and Stonecrest on Saturday, June 5.
3,700 COVID-19 Care Baskets consisting of one 20-pound box of Georgia-grown fruit and vegetables, one dozen eggs and a 10-pound package of chicken hindquarters were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines were available to residents who desired one.
In a press release announcing the event, DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond said, “Getting potentially lifesaving vaccine into the arms of DeKalb residents is our top priority. We must create and implement innovative community-based strategies that will increase vaccination rates among underserved populations.”
For information on DeKalb County’s COVID-19 response visit: www.dekalbcountyga.gov/coronavirus.
Speaking at the James R. Hallford Stadium food and vaccine distribution site in Clarkston on June 5, DeKalb County District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw said of the pandemic, “This battle is not over and we‘ve got to fight this battle all the way.” Photo by Dean Hesse.
Speaking to residents waiting in their vehicles at the James R. Hallford Stadium food and vaccine distribution site in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said, “We want you to know we are all in this together and we are going to continue to fight COVID-19 until this harmful disease is eradicated from DeKalb County, the state of Georgia, the United States of America and all over this planet. We love you.” Photo by Dean Hesse.
DeKalb County Interim District Health Director Sandra Valenciano speaks before the start of food and vaccine distribution at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5. Valenciano said the pandemic is not over and following CDC guidance is critical. “If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, now is your time, vaccine is available.” She also said there is much vaccine misinformation on the web and social media and asked people to look for credible sources of information. “Talk to your community leaders, talk to us. Our job as DeKalb County Board of Health is to protect and improve the lives of the residents of DeKalb County, so please get vaccinated, so we can all be together, hug our family, spend time with those we love and get back to doing all the wonderful things that we like to do.” Photo by Dean Hesse.
Members of The DeKalb County Branch of the NAACP are recognized by CEO Michael Thurmond at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston. The DeKalb NAACP was one of several partners that joined DeKalb County to target populations with low vaccination rates during the distribution event on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
DeKalb County Fire Rescue recruit Ethan Kubler stands ready to load COVID-19 Care Baskets into residents’ vehicles during the food and vaccine distribution event at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Soldiers from the Army National Guard were recognized for their assistance by DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond during the food and vaccine distribution event at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Ahmed Hussein gives a thumbs-up as he waits to receive a COVID-19 Care Basket during the food and vaccine distribution event at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Myron Brown, 13, seen with his mother Christine Wade, was the first person to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination during the food and vaccine distribution event at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond talks with Scottdale resident Vivian Durden during the food and vaccine distribution event at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Vehicles line up during the food and vaccine distribution event at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
People wait to receive COVID-19 Care Baskets at the walk-up area during the food and vaccine distribution event at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
DeKalb County Fire Rescue recruit Ray Perez, center, loads a COVID-19 Care Basket into a vehicle during the food and vaccine distribution event at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
DeKalb County District 1 Commissioner Robert Patrick loads a COVID-19 Care Basket into a vehicle during the food and vaccine distribution event at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
DeKalb County Police recruit Ernest Clayton directs traffic during the food and vaccine distribution event at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Family Engagement Liaison for DeKalb County School District, Tonya Buford passed out books during the food and vaccine distribution event at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
DeKalb County Police recruit Jumi Lee prepares to load a COVID-19 Care Basket into a vehicle during the food and vaccine distribution event at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
DeKalb Fire Rescue recruit Daiphanto Jones, left, and DeKalb Police recruit Carlos Martinez prepare to load COVID-19 Care Baskets into vehicles during the food and vaccine distribution event at James R. Hallford Stadium in Clarkston on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
3,700 COVID-19 Care Baskets consisting of one 20-pound box of Georgia-grown fruit and vegetables, one dozen eggs and a 10-pound package of chicken hindquarters were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at 4 locations in DeKalb during the food and vaccine distribution event on Saturday, June 5. Photo by Dean Hesse.
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