While many of us were busy stocking our pantries and trying to navigate “the new normal” in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, some went above and beyond to help their communities stay safe in creative ways.

One shining local example of creative community action amid the pandemic is Lisa Jahnke of Marquette, who helped lead the Masks for Marquette volunteer initiative to make and distribute protective gear for medical personnel, frontline workers and school children.

This project was well-known locally, but we’re glad to report that Jahnke was recognized at a state level this week by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Jahnke was one of 10 state residents honored with a 2020/2021 Governor’s Service Award.

This award is incredibly well-deserved, as Jahnke’s efforts helped protect the entire community. Masks for Marquette provided over 45,000 pieces of protective equipment — including masks, gowns and intubation guards — and every student in the Marquette Area Public Schools received a mask from the program. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who wasn’t touched by these efforts.

The project is especially remarkable considering that when Masks for Marquette began in the early days of the pandemic, masks were not easily available to the general population, or even health care workers.

You couldn’t pick up a 10-pack of surgical masks from the corner store or find cloth masks at a major retailer as you can today. Masks were scarce throughout the state, nation and world, and Marquette County was no exception.

But Masks for Marquette rose to the task, providing handmade masks to thousands of people who may not have been able to protect themselves with a mask otherwise. It’s safe to say that their work literally saved lives here in Superiorland.

And Jahnke’s efforts didn’t stop with providing tens of thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment to the community.

“In March of 2021, Lisa also began volunteering with the Marquette County Health Department to help residents get vaccinated. She began working phone lines to assist in registration and scheduling of appointments,” officials said in an announcement of the award. “She then began volunteering during the clinics, greeting residents, pushing wheelchairs, checking paperwork and helping wherever else needed. She has served an average of 10-15 hours a week with the health department where her work has impressed personnel.”

“Annually, Lisa serves to help raise funds to make life a little easier for families who have a child battling cancer. She volunteers with the Marquette Beautification & Restoration Committee and serves on the boards of Grow & Lead: Community and Youth Development and the Community Foundation of Marquette County.”

We commend Jahnke for her creativity, generosity and leadership during an unprecedented moment in our collective history. She serves as a shining example of how to help others amid a time of global crisis. Her drive to help and protect others has helped to save and protect countless lives in our area from COVID-19.

We, as a community, are forever grateful to Jahnke and Masks for Marquette for their vital work. We are stronger because of them.