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2020 will be remembered as the year COVID-19 shut the world down. But amid the darkness, true heroes emerged—mail carriers, sanitation workers, teachers, small business owners, volunteers who sacrificed their own needs to give to others, and activists who fought peacefully, but persistently, for justice and change.
To all the everyday heroes out there, we thank you.
We are heartened to report that New England is brimming with everyday heroes, and we are honored to pay tribute to some of the extraordinary individuals who made a difference during a dark and difficult time. We hope their everyday acts of heroism will inspire you to stay hopeful, and to show kindness in your own life in whichever ways you can.
HEROES
2020 EVERYDAY
Before the pandemic, Clive Wright was an apprentice in a thriving plumbing business. When the pandemic began, he put his career on hold and began driving two hours every day to take care of several senior clients. “When I am giving care, it gives me an inner peace,” he says. “I am very proud to be a caregiver.”
Bayada Home Health Care
Clive Wright
Magnolia New Beginnings is a support group for anyone suffering from a loved one’s addiction. Maureen Cavanagh started it as she grappled with her daughter’s opioid addiction. COVID-19 increased demand for the non-profit while reducing donations. She works tirelessly so fewer people have to face this disease alone.
Magnolia New Beginnings
Maureen Cavanagh
During the pandemic, Barry has shown a unique ability to get through to the most difficult-to-reach students—former gang members. He is a community-based mentor with the shared experience of students pursuing college degrees despite being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and other challenges.
Boston Uncornered
Barry Pritchard
When Rhiannon Menn felt helpless during COVID-19, she started to make meals for families in need with her daughter. “I was watching moms around me lose jobs, lose childcare... It was stressful,” she says. Now she runs Lasagna Love, a national movement with 4,000 volunteers who have delivered meals to 8,000 families.
Lasagna Love
Rhiannon Menn
William Murrell, III created AboutBlackBoston.org Getaways in 2019. COVID-19 forced him to cancel heritage tours, leading to revenue loss, but Murrell still offered free ads on his site for community activities and grants. He also developed an app to help low-income residents obtain affordable housing.
Aboutblackboston.org
William Murrell
Because people have been ordering more packages, letter carrier Charles Meyers has been working late hours, often six days a week. It was tough in the beginning. His two young children wanted to know why he had to work while everyone else stayed home. But he says knowing he’s helping people make it worthwhile.
U.S. Postal Service
Charles Meyers
In April, Caroline Forrest left the home she shared with her fiancé and dog to move in with the Menards, a family she used to nanny for. Linley Menard, age 10, was battling a rare pediatric brain cancer. While working full time remotely, Caroline helped care for Linley and her siblings until the very end.
Caroline Forrest
"I view the time as a precious gift. It was an honor to be able to sit by her side. The real heroes are Linley’s parents and brothers."
- Caroline Forrest
Melissa Corto co-founded Education Modified, a technology company with solutions specifically for special needs students and teachers. When schools closed in March, she and the team scrambled to create a library of resources, in English and Spanish, to support parents with children with special needs.
Education Modified
Melissa Corto
Amid COVID-19, Charles Swenson, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist in Northampton and professor at University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, pivoted to Zoom to support his patients, many of whom are mentally ill or facing serious loss. His podcast, “To Hell and Back,” offers free, valuable coping skills to anyone facing hard times.
Charles Swenson
Tyler H.,14, and brothers Aarkash P., 13, and Aarav P., 17, are doing their part to help their community. Tyler and Aarkash have been playing instruments to raise money for a local food bank. Aarav recycles bottles and cans to raise funds for community members in need. The friends have raised $2,000 so far.
Tyler H. Aarkash P. Aarvav P.
Georgia and William Woodward created a Little Free Library in front of their house in Norwich, Conn. to lift people’s spirits. “I can’t fix the world right now, but I can do this small act of giving books to the community during this hard time, and that gives me hope,” Georgia says.
Georgia & William Woodward
Tricia Emery McGean spends every day and night, including weekends, trying to keep local communities healthy. She is the town public health nurse for the town of Lincoln and town of Concord. She handles contract tracing for local schools, sometimes working overnight to ensure the safety of the community.
Emerson Hospital Home Care
Tricia Emery McGean
Ashley Mitchell is the CEO and co-founder of the Courage Campaign, a fitness instructor for Down Under Yoga, and a diversity and inclusion consultant specializing in anti-racism in wellness and education. She also found time to raise $15,000 for The Greater Boston Food Bank at the start of the pandemic.
Courage Campaign
Ashley Mitchell
Steven Penella is a volunteer for NAMI Mass’ In Our Own Voice program, sharing his experience with depression and anxiety to help destigmatize mental health conditions and let others know they’re not alone. With the pandemic taking a toll on the mental health of so many, these conversations are increasingly important.
NAMI Massachusetts
Steven Penella
"Since I have come out about my own experiences so many people have opened up to me that have similar experiences."
- Steven Penella
Anne-Marie Yu-Phelps, an English teacher and the director of studies at Beacon Academy, spearheaded the process to ensure that teachers and students were prepared for remote learning this spring. Thanks to her, the Class of 2020 graduated on time and are now thriving in high school.
Anne-Marie Yu-Phelps
Beacon Academy
Joe and Laura Wood own a plumbing, heating, and HVAC company. During COVID-19, their team retrofitted their work vans to become mobile showrooms. They gave one family a $15,000 boiler and another a $7,500 furnace, free of charge. And, in June, they sent all profits to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Boston Standard Company
Joe & Laura Wood
“So many people have had to rise to the occasion and do the best they can,” says Cynthia Hunt, a single mom with four children who works for TLC Support Services, a small business that assists people with traumatic brain illnesses. When in-person visits were not permitted, she pivoted to support clients virtually.
TLC Support Services
Cynthia Hunt
Pascale Audain, a nurse in the Medical ICU/Biocontainment Unit led system-level efforts to teach proper PPE use throughout all clinical and non-clinical areas. With patience, time, and a commitment to excellence, she ensured staff knew how to keep patients, and themselves, safe and cared for. READ MORE >
Boston Children’s Hospital
Pascale Audain
Isaac Garcia’s leadership created a confidence and calm at Boston Children’s Hospital during one of its most unsettling times. As director of environmental services, he ensured staff and families were operating in the safest environment possible. His hard work made the impossible look easy. READ MORE >
Boston Children’s Hospital
Isaac Garcia
As director of outreach programs at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston, Mary Ann Ponti oversees a number of ministries, including the Veterans Ministry and the Franciscan Food Center. Beyond her work at St. Anthony, she has spent much of her time during the pandemic helping Boston’s homeless community.
READ MORE >
St. Anthony Shrine
Mary ANN Ponti
Melmark operates special education schools, professional development, and research centers. They are committed to enhancing the lives of individuals with autism and other intellectual disabilities with evidence-based services. COVID-19 may have altered how they deliver their mission, but that mission never wavered.
Melmark New England
Dee Oberlin & AnthonY Cadet
Julia Gallogly teaches ELL (English Language Learners) at Beachmont Veterans Memorial School. Inspired by fellow teachers who were delivering supplies to families in need, she organized to support local families in Revere during COVID-19. She created a GoFundMe page that raised over $23,000. READ MORE >
Beachmont Veterans Memorial School
Julia Gallogly
It wasn’t just PPE that was hard to come by — COVID-19 caused a ripple effect in the manufacturing industry. But David Walsh, director of supply chain administration, and his team worked day and night to secure supplies and launched innovative partnerships with local vendors to ensure product efficacy.
READ MORE >
Boston Children’s Hospital
David Walsh
Nicole Mcclain is a librarian, veteran, and founder of the North Shore Juneteenth Association, an organization that highlights the contribution of Black Americans. In addition to their usual work giving back and improving community relations, NSJA donated food to families in need during COVID-19.
READ MORE >
North Shore Juneteenth Association
Nicole Mcclain
“As long as people keep pushing and organizations keep working hard, there will be a difference. We just can't let up.”
- Nicole Mcclain
Recognized as an exceptional educational leader, Mike Davis is a principal that goes above and beyond to make students and staff feel appreciated. He traveled over three hundred miles to deliver plants, whoopie pies, cards, and more to 54 staffers’ homes during Teacher Appreciation Week this year.
READ MORE >
Walton Elementary School
Michael Davis
Conner Curran, age 10, battles Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare genetic disease, with courage and grace. His constant smile is a source of joy and inspiration to all who know him. Despite the pandemic, his parents have lobbied for Duchenne awareness and raised more than $800,000 for Duchenne research.
READ MORE >
Kindness Over Muscular Dystrophy
Conner Curran
Diana Caperello, a companion at The Village at Willow Crossings, is among 5,000+ associates who embody Benchmark Senior Living’s caring culture. Winner of the 2019 Compassionate Caregiver Award, her positivity has helped residents rediscover passions, nurture connections, and improve the lives of 59 foster children.
Benchmark Senior Living
Diana Caperello
Brandon Montella is a veteran, boxer, business-owner, and founder of Mission Ready, helping veterans and at-risk students find purpose through fitness. During COVID-19 lockdowns he organized a camping trip for beneficiaries and offered socially distanced boxing—via punching bag mounted to his Jeep.
Mission Ready
Brandon Montella
Suzanne Lee has long been a community leader, helping immigrant mothers start the first Chinese Parents Association and unemployed garment workers secure Boston’s first bilingual training programs. This year, Suzanne organized the distribution of PPE to 8,000+ elderly residents and essential workers.
Chinese Progressive Association
Suzanne Lee
Kristen Collins and Cara Soulia kicked off #thefrontstepsproject in Needham, Mass. The concept was simple: donate $50 to a local food pantry in exchange for a casual portrait on your front steps. The idea went viral. Thanks to many photographers, the effort has now raised more than $3.35 million worldwide. READ MORE >
The Front Steps Project
Kristin Collins & Cara Soulia
Beni Noci owns Seaside Pizza in Nahant. For three months during COVID-19, he and his team delivered free food to the town's senior citizens every day. Noci, who grew up in Albania with his mother struggling to provide for eight children, still offers half-priced meals twice a week through the Council on Aging.
Seaside Pizza
Beni Noci
“Giving to others in need is something that makes me feel better. I didn’t do it for publicity. I did it because it’s the right thing to do."
- Beni Noci
WHAT ARE THE PEOPLE LIKE?
Careers
2020 will be remembered as the year COVID-19 shut the world down. But amid the darkness, true heroes emerged—mail carriers, sanitation workers, teachers, small business owners, volunteers who sacrificed their own needs to give to others, and activists who fought peacefully, but persistently, for justice and change.
To all the everyday heroes out there, we thank you.
As director of outreach programs at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston, Mary Ann Ponti oversees a number of ministries, including the Veterans Ministry and the Franciscan Food Center. Beyond her work at St. Anthony’s, she has spent much of her time during the pandemic helping Boston’s homeless community.
READ MORE >
St. Anthony’s Shrine
Mary ANN Ponti
READ MORE >
As director of outreach programs at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston, Mary Ann Ponti oversees a number of ministries, including the Veterans Ministry and the Franciscan Food Center. Beyond her work at St. Anthony’s, she has spent much of her time during the pandemic helping Boston’s homeless community.
READ MORE >
St. Anthony’s Shrine
Mary ANN Ponti
Isaac Garcia’s leadership created a confidence and calm at Boston Children’s Hospital during one of its most unsettling times. As director of environmental services, he ensured staff and families were operating in the safest environment possible. His hard work made the impossible look easy.
READ MORE >
Boston Children’s Hospital
Isaac Garcia
As director of outreach programs at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston, Mary Ann Ponti oversees a number of ministries, including the Veterans Ministry and the Franciscan Food Center. Beyond her work at St. Anthony’s, she has spent much of her time during the pandemic helping Boston’s homeless community.
READ MORE >
St. Anthony’s Shrine
Mary ANN Ponti
It wasn’t just PPE that was hard to come by — COVID-19 caused a ripple effect in the manufacturing industry. But David Walsh, director of supply chain administration, and his team worked day and night to secure supplies and launched innovative partnerships with local vendors to ensure product efficacy.
READ MORE >
Boston Children’s Hospital
David Walsh
Julia Gallogly teaches ELL (English Language Learners) at Beachmont Veterans Memorial School. Inspired by fellow teachers who were delivering supplies to families in need, she organized to support local families in Revere during COVID-19. She created a GoFundMe page that raised over $23,000.
Beachmont Veterans Memorial School
Julia Gallogly
As director of outreach programs at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston, Mary Ann Ponti oversees a number of ministries, including the Veterans Ministry and the Franciscan Food Center. Beyond her work at St. Anthony’s, she has spent much of her time during the pandemic helping Boston’s homeless community.
READ MORE >
St. Anthony’s Shrine
Mary ANN Ponti
"
John Smith
As long as people keep pushing and organizations keep working hard, there will be a difference. We just can't let up.”
Nicole Mcclain is a librarian, veteran, and founder of the North Shore Juneteenth Association, an organization that highlights the contribution of Black Americans. In addition to their usual work giving back and improving community relations, NSJA donated food to families in need during COVID-19.
North Shore Juneteenth Association
Nicole Mcclain
Julia Gallogly teaches ELL (English Language Learners) at Beachmont Veterans Memorial School. Inspired by fellow teachers who were delivering supplies to families in need, she organized to support local families in Revere during COVID-19. She created a GoFundMe page that raised over $23,000.
READ MORE >
Beachmont Veterans Memorial School
Julia Gallogly
It wasn’t just PPE that was hard to come by — COVID-19 caused a ripple effect in the manufacturing industry. But David Walsh, director of supply chain administration, and his team worked day and night to secure supplies and launched innovative partnerships with local vendors to ensure product efficacy.
READ MORE >
Boston Children’s Hospital
David Walsh
Conner Curran, age 10, battles Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare genetic disease, with courage and grace. His constant smile is a source of joy and inspiration to all who know him. Despite the pandemic, his parents have lobbied for Duchenne awareness and raised more than $800,000 for Duchenne research.
READ MORE >
Kindness Over Muscular Dystrophy
Conner Curran
Kristen Collins and Cara Soulia kicked off #thefrontstepsproject in Needham, Mass. The concept was simple: donate $50 to a local food pantry in exchange for a casual portrait on your front steps. The idea went viral. Thanks to many photographers, the effort has now raised more than $3.35 million worldwide.
The Front Steps Project
Kristin Collins & Cara Soulia
Kristen Collins and Cara Soulia kicked off #thefrontstepsproject in Needham, Mass. The concept was simple: donate $50 to a local food pantry in exchange for a casual portrait on your front steps. The idea went viral. Thanks to many photographers, the effort has now raised more than $3.35 million worldwide.
The Front Steps Project
Kristin Collins & Cara Soulia
Brandon Montella is a veteran, boxer, business-owner, and founder of Mission Ready, helping veterans and at-risk students find purpose through fitness. During COVID-19 lockdowns he organized a camping trip for beneficiaries and offered socially distanced boxing — via punching bag mounted to his Jeep.
Mission Ready
Brandon Montella
"
- Nicole Mcclain
As long as people keep pushing and organizations keep working hard, there will be a difference. We just can't let up.”
Brandon Montella is a veteran, boxer, business-owner, and founder of Mission Ready, helping veterans and at-risk students find purpose through fitness. During COVID-19 lockdowns he organized a camping trip for beneficiaries and offered socially distanced boxing — via punching bag mounted to his Jeep.
Mission Ready
Brandon Montella
During the pandemic, Barry has shown a unique ability to get through to the most difficult-to-reach students — former gang members. He is a community-based mentor with the shared experience of students pursuing college degrees despite being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and other challenges.
Boston Uncornered
Barry Pritchard
During the pandemic, Barry has shown a unique ability to get through to the most difficult-to-reach students — former gang members. He is a community-based mentor with the shared experience of students pursuing college degrees despite being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and other challenges.
Boston Uncornered
Barry Pritchard
Before the pandemic, Clive Wright was an apprentice in a thriving plumbing business. When the pandemic began, he put his career on hold and began driving two hours every day to take care of several senior clients. “When I am giving care, it gives me an inner peace.” he says. “I am very proud to be a caregiver.”
Bayada Home Health Care
Clive Wright
Before the pandemic, Clive Wright was an apprentice in a thriving plumbing business. When the pandemic began, he put his career on hold and began driving two hours every day to take care of several senior clients. “When I am giving care, it gives me an inner peace.” he says. “I am very proud to be a caregiver.”
Bayada Home Health Care
Clive Wright
William Murrell, III created AboutBlackBoston.org Getaways in 2019. COVID-19 forced him to cancel heritage tours, leading to revenue loss, but Murrell still offered free ads on his site for community activities and grants. He also developed an app to help low-income residents obtain affordable housing.
Aboutblackboston.org
William Murrell
Nicole Mcclain is a librarian, veteran, and founder of the North Shore Juneteenth Association, an organization that highlights the contribution of Black Americans. In addition to their usual work giving back and improving community relations, NSJA donated food to families in need during COVID-19.
Nicole Mcclain
"
- Nicole Mcclain
As long as people keep pushing and organizations keep working hard, there will be a difference. We just can't let up.”
William Murrell, III created AboutBlackBoston.org Getaways in 2019. COVID-19 forced him to cancel heritage tours, leading to revenue loss, but Murrell still offered free ads on his site for community activities and grants. He also developed an app to help low-income residents obtain affordable housing.
William Murrell
William Murrell, III created AboutBlackBoston.org Getaways in 2019. COVID-19 forced him to cancel heritage tours, leading to revenue loss, but Murrell still offered free ads on his site for community activities and grants. He also developed an app to help low-income residents obtain affordable housing.
William Murrell
William Murrell, III created AboutBlackBoston.org Getaways in 2019. COVID-19 forced him to cancel heritage tours, leading to revenue loss, but Murrell still offered free ads on his site for community activities and grants. He also developed an app to help low-income residents obtain affordable housing.
Aboutblackboston.org
William Murrell
William Murrell, III created AboutBlackBoston.org Getaways in 2019. COVID-19 forced him to cancel heritage tours, leading to revenue loss, but Murrell still offered free ads on his site for community activities and grants. He also developed an app to help low-income residents obtain affordable housing.
Aboutblackboston.org
William Murrell
Ashley Mitchell is the CEO and co-founder of the Courage Campaign, a fitness instructor for Down Under Yoga, and a diversity and inclusion consultant specializing in anti-racism in wellness and education. She also found time to raise $15,000 for The Greater Boston Food Bank at the start of the pandemic.
Courage Campaign
Ashley Mitchell
Tricia Emery McGean spends every day and night, including weekends, trying to keep local communities healthy. She is the town public health nurse for the town of Lincoln and town of Concord. She handles contract tracing for local schools, sometimes working overnight to ensure the safety of the community.
Tricia Emery McGean
Ashley Mitchell is the CEO and co-founder of the Courage Campaign, a fitness instructor for Down Under Yoga, and a diversity and inclusion consultant specializing in anti-racism in wellness and education. She also found time to raise $15,000 for The Greater Boston Food Bank at the start of the pandemic.
Courage Campaign
Ashley Mitchell
"
- Nicole Mcclain
I view the time as a precious gift. It was an honor to be able to sit by her sidE. The real heroes are Linley’s parents and brothers.
Ashley Mitchell is the CEO and co-founder of the Courage Campaign, a fitness instructor for Down Under Yoga, and a diversity and inclusion consultant specializing in anti-racism in wellness and education. She also found time to raise $15,000 for The Greater Boston Food Bank at the start of the pandemic.
Courage Campaign
Ashley Mitchell
“So many people have had to rise to the occasion and do the best they can,” says Cynthia Hunt, a single mom with four children who works for TLC Support Services, a small business that assists people with traumatic brain illnesses. When in-person visits were not permitted, she pivoted to support clients virtually.
TLC Support Services
Cynthia Hunt
Joe and Laura Wood own a plumbing, heating, and HVAC company. During COVID-19, their team retrofitted their work vans to become mobile showrooms. They gave one family a $15,000 boiler and another a $7,500 furnace, free of charge. And, in June, they sent all profits to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Boston Standard Company
Joe & Laura Wood