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Right now, most of us are stuck at home due to the COVID-19 crisis. Instead of going into our offices, we are sitting on the couch in a pair of sweatpants, cup of coffee in hand, as we ride out the pandemic from the comfort of our homes.

However, there is a group, that despite the crisis, is still reporting for duty, still going to work, still facing the public and putting their health in danger.

Those would be your essential workers — your healthcare workers, police officers, grocery store workers, gas station cashiers, postal carriers, cooks and more. These people, who have been deemed essential by the government, are still going to work and ensuring our society continues to function.

In your paper recently, you may have noticed a couple of stories with the header: On the Front Lines. Below the header we have featured stories about essential workers who are still reporting for duty daily. So far, we have told the story of a Niles Post Office worker who has left notes offering help in the mailboxes of her customers and a Dowagiac Police Officer who, despite being young and relatively new to the force, is facing the COVID-19 crisis daily and with grace.

Now, as part of our On the Front Lines series, we want to tell even more of these types of stories. We want to celebrate our essential workers and share their stories. In a time where all the news can seem doom and gloom and we are more physically distanced than ever, we want to share the stories that can bring us together. What better way to do that than share the stories of the people who are keeping our communities turning while we wait for the pandemic to pass?

Now, we just need your help to do that.

If you know an essential worker — or you are one yourself! — who you think has gone above and beyond to serve the public and deserves to be featured, reach out to us at news@leaderpub.com or (269) 687-7712.

We can’t wait to hear from you and to begin telling your stories.