The fight against COVID-19 is one front-line hospital workers face every day.

Their efforts are both relentless and immeasurable.

First responders honored their tireless work on Sunday with a drive-by parade, recognizing St. Luke’s University Health Network employees at the Lehighton campus.

The event was coordinated to show support and gratitude to hospital staff, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and other medical staff on the front lines helping to mitigate the effects of the virus.

“For the front-line employees, they’re involved with this on a daily basis,” said Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company Capt. Justin Smith. “We can’t thank them enough for putting themselves in harm’s way. These are the same people that are going home to families that have young children; they could be exposed to everything that’s going on.

“It’s just our small way of showing that we appreciate them and everything that they’re doing.”

Participating organizations included the Lehighton Police Department, Lehighton Fire Police, Lehighton Ambulance, Lehighton Fire Department, Parryville Fire Company, Mahoning Valley Volunteer Fire Company, Mahoning Valley Ambulance and East Penn Township Volunteer Fire Company.

The convoy departed from the Lehighton Area Middle School and went by the nursing home first before proceeding in front of the hospital and emergency room, making a circle and exiting on 10th Street.

Smith helped to coordinate the event with other departments, which were eager to participate.

“I got in contact with some of the guys from Lehighton to make sure it was OK with them, and they were on board,” said Smith. “We generated a group text, sent it out to all the local fire companies and EMS, and they were more than happy to get on board.

“We set everything up, and St. Luke’s reached out. They wanted to know what we had planned, and they wanted to be involved and make sure that the hospital was OK, on board with it, which they were.”

For Smith, it was simply a way to give back to a community that has given so much.

“When you look at the fire service as a whole, it truly is a family,” he said. “The minute we sent out the group text to see who wanted to be involved, there was no hesitation - everybody was in, they thought it was a great idea.

“We can’t say enough about people coming together during this pandemic and doing what they’re supposed to be doing. When it comes to a situation like this, people are going to reach out, they’re going to do everything they possibly can just to support all of those front-line workers.”

Lehighton Assistant Fire Chief Mike Mriss showed his appreciation for those who have helped keep necessary items available for all the organizations that need them during this time.

“We would also like to show gratitude to all essential businesses and employees helping to supply essential products and services to our area,” he said in a statement. “Some of these businesses and individuals have gone above and beyond by providing our organizations with donations, PPE, hand sanitizer, disinfectant, etc.

“The support of these businesses and individuals has helped our emergency service organizations during these unique times.”