An Alna resident who works as a responder is quarantining after being exposed to COVID-19, selectmen said April 22. And they said they and other donors including members of the new group Alna Cares have given a combined total of about $200 to get the person gift certificates good at any Hannaford supermarket.

The board talked about possibly adding to the community’s gift with some money also recently donated to Alna’s food pantry. “Personally, I wouldn’t feel it was inappropriate,” since the person can’t work due to the exposure and being in quarantine, Second Selectman Doug Baston said. Third Selectman Greg Shute, who has been involved with Alna Cares, said he would find out from Midcoast Community Cares if the person could use further help. “We’ve been working with them on this,” Shute said at the board’s meeting on Zoom.

In text responses after the meeting, First Selectman Melissa Spinney said about her donation: “Very happy I could give to someone on the front lines.”

Baston, also via text, said people have been “amazingly good throughout this. It seems like a crisis always brings out the best in our town.”

Citing confidentiality, selectmen did not name or otherwise identify the person, where they work, or the exposure’s impact, if any, on the person.