Representative Haddad Recognizes Mansfield Area Mask Sewers as Community Heroes

May 7, 2020

Mansfield, Conn. – In early April, State Representative Gregory Haddad (D-Mansfield) issued a call for nominations of individuals in Mansfield who are going above and beyond, working and volunteering to help the community through the challenges of social distancing under Covid-19.

This week's honorees are a group of local face mask sewers, including Sarah Dufresne and her son Cody; Becky Hirsch Cleary, Brooke Cleary and Diane Taylor Hirsch; and volunteers from the First United Methodist Church of Mansfield, organized by Erin Richter.  Together, this group stepped up to the challenge of making enough masks for the 100 residents of Juniper Hill Village, a senior housing complex in Mansfield.

"When Sarah isn't serving as our town's Youth Services Coordinator, she’s hand-sewing hundreds of these masks with the help of her son, Cody," Rep. Haddad said. ”Becky, Brooke and Diane are three generations of women who coach and own Frogbridge Gymnastics and borrowed a sewing machine to help make facemasks, and Erin Richter has been coordinating congregants from her Church to meet the needs of many community member.

"A social worker from Juniper Hill called me to ask for help outfitting the residents with enough face masks to ensure their safety," Haddad continued. "And this group answered the call. It's these kinds of selfless acts of kindness that will help our community get through the pandemic, which is why I wanted to recognize them for their work. Thank you for all that you have done for Juniper Hill and for hundreds of other Mansfield area residents."

Previous nominees include, Louis GoffinetDr. Neil Moynahan and the Food Service Staff at the Mansfield Schools. Rep. Haddad is still accepting nominations for community heroes. Those who have a nominee in mind can send in a photo, name, and a few sentences about why they are nominating a community hero to Gregory.Haddad@cga.ct.gov.

 

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