Gregg Haddad

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 Carole Norrish and the crew from Altrusa International Inc.; the seamstresses of Friends of Ecole Agape; Bette Stern; and Dr. Martha Steinberg and her daughter Liz, all of whom have ties to Mansfield and have dedicated their spare time to making PPE.

"Thank you, Bette Stern, the good people of Altrusa International, the seamstresses of Friends of Ecole Agape, and Dr. Martha Steinberg and Liz, for your heartfelt work on behalf of our community," Rep. Haddad said. "As evidenced by the folks who nominated you, your efforts have had a direct impact on the health and well-being of your neighbors and we're grateful."

"Altrusa International Inc., of Northeastern CT, first began sewing and shipping reusable feminine products to girls in the third world," writes club member Carlita of the group and Carole Norrish. "Now, Altrusans have switched gears from sewing Days For Girls kits to making MASKS for Mission-essential and First Responder personnel in our community! Carole Norrish has single-handedly made almost 200 masks!"

One of the attached photos is of the Altrusan seamstresses hard at work.

Jeannette, who nominated Friends of Ecole Agape, says that the group of seamstresses has made over 400 masks they’ve distributed through local businesses like Spring Hill Café, Red Rock Café, American Eagle Café & Saloon, St Philip the Apostle Church, Price Chopper, Coventry Soup Kitchen, No Freeze Shelter, and Fenton River Grill.

Bette Stern received two nominations, from Kari and Kelly, and Dr. Steinberg and Liz were nominated by Dr. Steinberg's colleague Donna at UConn Student Health and Wellness.

According to Kelly, Bette has made many face masks for local hospitals and the community.

"Bette is making countless face masks for members of the community for free," Kari wrote of Bette. "She made four for my family, including two child-sized ones for my boys. She leaves them in an envelope outside of her door so there is no contact. There were at least 10 envelopes there when I picked mine and I know I was a part of the second or third round.  I’m so grateful."

"She has been working from home providing telemedicine health appointments for our UConn students," Donna wrote of Dr. Steinberg and Liz. "She identified the crucial need for personal protective equipment and started to sew. She purchased branded UConn material and created masks for our 21 graduating senior student employees. She has improved the design and materials used in her masks to enhance the level of comfort and protection they offer. Our staff have been testing students for Covid-19 outside of our building. Many days here are windy and the standard face shield used for protection flapped around in the wind decreasing its ability to protect the person performing the test. She created a shield that enforced our PPE and improved the safety of the device and testing procedure. Her daughter Liz shares a desire to give of herself and help others. She lives out of state but is using her own sewing skills to provide masks for her community. We thank Dr. Sternberg and her daughter who continue to provide for others not seeking recognition for their kind acts but to know they are helping in some way to get through this pandemic." 

The other attached photo is of two face masks Dr. Steinberg made.

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.

Previous nominees include, Louis Goffinet, Dr. Neil Moynahan, the Food Service Staff at the Mansfield Schools, a group of local facemask sewers, and Sarah Kaufold and the singers of Songs of Comfort.

 

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