MONTICELLO, NY —  The Reverend Diana Southwick Scheide, Vicar of the Delaware Catskill Episcopal Ministry, and the Reverend David Coon, Pastor of the White Lake Reformed Presbyterian Church, will be among the faith leaders, healthcare workers, and members of the community who will gather outside the Government Center at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 10 to observe Human Rights Day. The theme this year, “Recover Better,” relates to the ongoing pandemic and the need to ensure that human rights are central to recovery efforts. The ceremony in Monticello will commemorate the Sullivan County residents who died of COVID and honor the healthcare workers who risked their lives to care for them.

The Declaration of Human Rights recognizes that healthcare is a fundamental human right. Scheide said, “It is also a human obligation. It is our duty, to work together to care for all the citizens of our community.”

Coon understands concerns about the county's plan to privatize its care center and Certified Home Health Agency. He said, “County-run facilities are required to serve each and every county resident, but there is no guarantee that a for-profit company will not deny services to severely ill patients, or those who cannot afford to pay for the care that they require.”

Fifty-two balloons tethered to stones will honor each of the fifty-two county residents lost to COVID. Among them, Ella Sutton, 73, who was working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Care Center at Sunset Lake in Liberty when she contracted the disease. Ella was known for her love of singing and dancing and frequently did both to cheer the residents and other staff at the facility. 

Given the recent increase in infection rates, social distancing, and masks will be observed for this outdoor event.

 For further information contact:   Catherine Scott, We Stand with the Care Center at 845/701-1020 or email CatherineScott17@hotmail.com.