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The South Alabama Regional Airport will be honoring all healthcare workers with a free lunch at the Blade ‘n’ Wing Café on Wednesday, April 5, from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Healthcare workers from hospitals, medical offices, physician offices, dental offices, X-ray imaging offices, pharmacy staff, and nursing homes are invited to attend.

“We like to show appreciation to our community. So many people come and support our café along with the airport in general. Whether it be for first responders, healthcare workers, teachers, or people from different walks of life, it’s our way of simply trying to say thank you,” SARA Executive Director Jed Blackwell said.

Blackwell stated Wednesday would be a regular business day, and the public is also invited to attend. A tent will be set up at the entrance to the café for healthcare workers to receive a wristband for their complimentary meal. Healthcare workers will be asked to sign in upon arrival and show proof of employment. Free meals will be for in-person only with no takeout plates available.

“We wanted to offer the luncheon midweek to stay away from weekend plans and our busiest days of the week at the café, which are Thursday and Friday.”

The menu will feature the same selections offered every Wednesday at the Blade ‘n’ Wing Café. Those include grilled chicken, grilled sausage, pot roast and potatoes, onion rings, cabbage, baked beans, green beans, and rolls. There will also be a salad bar with homemade banana pudding for dessert.

He expressed gratitude for having the opportunity to give back to healthcare workers.

“Healthcare is the ‘backbone’ of communities. Most people choose to work in healthcare because they want o help others. The schooling, training, and experience working in healthcare are no doubt often times stressful and difficult. It means a lot to offer this lunch to those who make the daily sacrifices to provide us the healthcare possible in our community. Healthcare workers are definitely essential because they are the people who oversee the overall health of us and our families.”

Blackwell stated that the airport sees many life flights and angel flights, most of them with healthcare workers on board.

“The jobs they do with the pressure on them simply is heart touching. Whether it be Andalusia or Mizell Hospital in Opp, our local physicians’ offices, pharmacies, or dentists, healthcare workers are one of many reasons that Covington County is such a wonderful place to live and raise a family,” he said.

Individuals are encouraged to RSVP for Wednesday’s lunch to Administrative Assistant of Special Events Vada Turner by emailing terminal@flysara.com or calling SARA at 334-222-6598.