CODY LUDVINSKY
Cody Ludvinsky, the Spanish Teacher at Hamilton Avenue School, is a Hero. As his colleague, I can say that Cody understands his role as a teacher differently than most. In the classroom he is talented and professional, demanding but caring, creative and resourceful. However, outside of the classroom is where he stands apart. He advocates vociferously for his students and their families. He consistently puts the needs of the school and of the community before his own.
MIKE GERALD
The Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich has been a part of Mike Gerald's life since the age of 8. Mike attended the Club everyday with his friends growing up playing Starch Cup Hockey, building model cars and bird houses in wood shop and playing basketball. Mike has been a full time staff member for 20 years as our Athletic Coordinator. Mike is a Kid Magnet in the gym.
REV. DR. NATHAN HART
Pastor Nathan and his staff have been a saving grace during the Coronavirus. Stanwich Congregational Church has remained very active in our lives by using technology to reach all who need guidance in getting through this pandemic. We were a little church in back country Greenwich of about 600 members; and have grown to 1600 viewing every Sunday.
KIM O'DONNELL
Kim O’Donnell is a wonderful mother to two children in Greenwich and on top of working full-time as a speech pathologist, she is heavily involved with the PTA and was a den mom for the Boy Scouts of Greenwich for many years. But what’s most inspiring about Kim is her strength and compassion as a lifetime military wife. Her husband Sean, a sergeant with the Greenwich Police Department, was deployed at the beginning of 2020.
ALEXANDER SACHS
Alec is an EMT with Greenwich EMS and has been for over 13 years now. He grew up in town and loves Greenwich. Additionally Alec volunteers countless hours every week with the cos cob fire police patrol. As the captain of the company he is a role model to young members and members of the community. He goes above and beyond every day for the citizens of Greenwich.
LIZ HAYES
I'd like to nominate my mother. She is a full time LPN at a senior living facility on the border of Stamford and Greenwich. We grew up in Riverside. My mom went to nursing school while being a single mother. She has worked hard and has the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met. The senior living facility she works at has 9 cases of COVID-19, however because the hospitals are already full, they cannot be transported out.
KAIA LAURO
My beautiful 4 year old daughter Kaia was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma on January 22nd, 2019 after fighting a number of ailments over the trailing several months. Continued testing and monitoring led to a pediatric cancer diagnosis of “Neuroblastoma”. Neuroblastoma is a relatively rare childhood cancer, occurring in 6% of childhood cancer with only 800 new cases per year.
KERRY AUGUSTINE
Kerry Augustine is one of those teachers that you will remember years after you leave Hamilton Avenue School. I know this is true from a young lady who came back from college to visit. She noted the rigor, high standards, and interesting research projects as reasons why she will always remember Ms. Augustine. Currently, I share a room with this true hero as she goes the extra mile working with students who suffer from adverse childhood experiences.
TATIANA MOHRIN
Tatiana is my eldest daughter and worked for the GPS system and volunteers at Cos Cos & Parkway Schools where her two daughters attend. I'm sure that there are plenty of moms who are deserving, but I nominate my daughter because she's managing home life, wife, educator, chef, problem solver, health advisor, referee and disciplinarian and at the same time not trying to harm her husband (joking) with great patience.
ALL FIRST RESPONDERS
All the first responders of Greenwich and the surrounding areas are heroes - fire, police, EMS, nurses and doctors etc.
HEIDI LOBEL
Heidi is a volunteer with the Jewish Family Services (JFS) organization here in Greenwich. She volunteers for their Super Marketing for Seniors program. Heidi is a volunteer shopper and does grocery shopping for JFS's many senior and disabled clients. I'm disabled (quadriplegia) and have been a JFS client for several years now. I've worked with several JFS volunteers during those years and have to say that Heidi is by far the best volunteer I've had the pleasure to work with.
MARIANA BEGONJA
Mariana, is a light to many hearts and homes! She has blessed all of Round Hill Community Church with her love and we are all better people both big and small because of her in our lives.
LEIGH RETZLER
Having settled in Greenwich back in 1965, Leigh is a local treasure, both to the Round Hill Nursery School community and the greater Greenwich community. She will be sorely missed at the Round Hill Nursery as this is her last with us after teaching at the school for over three decades. The broader Greenwich community has also benefited from her boundless energy through her volunteering work - she is a true community hero!
KATHLEEN SULLIVAN
While Kate has always supported Greenwich organizations like the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company, she really stepped up her game during the Corona Virus pandemic. She's been "working" every day to make sure senior citizens have access to healthy food (and toilet paper). She stuffs bags with supplies, and makes several daily shopping runs to various stores to make sure our seniors are well supplied.
BARBARA MAXWELL
Barbara Maxwell is employed as a Nurse at Greenwich Hospital. She, like many other healthcare professionals, continues to work tireless on the frontline of COVID units to heal and protect us. She’s been passionate about her career as a nurse, serving the Greenwich community for almost 50 years at Greenwich hospital. She’s inspired not only myself as her son who is following her footsteps as a future nurse, but many others she has come across during her tenure there.
CODY LUDVINSKY
I am nominating Cody Ludvinsky as Greenwich Town Party Hero for 2020. I have worked with Cody for the past four years at Hamilton Avenue Elementary School, where he teaches Spanish. During this time I have seen Cody make regular and selfless contributions for both students and staff alike. Cody open handedly is constantly helping the kids in ways most people overlook.
CARISSA CONELIAS
Carissa was born in Greenwich and went through the public school system now she dedicates her life to serve others. Carissa, is a nurse at Stamford Hospital and is a new mom to Riley, and a great one at that. Carissa tested positive for COVID-19, and was in quarantine, as soon as she was given the green light she was back on the front line.
BRIAN PELDUNAS
Having settled Brian created/facilitates the Riverside Math Club for girls and selflessly volunteers his time multiple times a week teaching the girls math. When COVID hit, he continued to run the club via zoom (which he paid for a pro license). This work, especially in these times, has been invaluable to my daughter and many others.
MARGARET GOLDBERG
As Executive Director of Neighbor to Neighbor in Greenwich, Margaret is a shining example of community outreach and caring. During the virus impact and restrictions, and in the midst of a relocation, Margaret redoubled her efforts to help our most vulnerable neighbors, and to connect with other organizations in their efforts to provide much-needed supplies.
KATIE OXMAN
Katie Oxman works incredibly hard as one of the head nurses of the ICU at NY Presbyterian Hospital in NYC. Helping train over 400 nurses to prepare for covid ICU. She helps so many friends, family members & individuals from Greenwich, CT to NYC. She is incredible!