SIDNEY --  Lavon and Johnny Hajek were recently chosen as the Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations (NABHO) Citizens of the Year.

Lavon, a member of the Sidney Regional Medical Center Patient Financial Services team, and her husband Johnny, were honored at the NABHO annual meeting on June 20. Kristen Rose at SRMC Behavioral Health nominated the Hajeks for their work with the Suicide Awareness Poker Run, the Suicide Awareness Walk, and Be Here Sidney.

They also collaborated with community members on creating and funding envelopes for the SRMC Emergency Room that are given to families who are impacted by suicide. The envelopes contain a card for fuel, meal vouchers, and a phone number to request a free hotel room for families who have to transport loved ones to hospitals in other towns for psychiatric reasons.

These costs are often not covered by insurance and are much needed. The Sidney community should be proud to have Lavon and Johnny in the community helping individuals who struggle with suicidal thoughts and comforting families who have lost loved ones to suicide. Their caring hearts and hard work deserves recognition.