ALEC SACHS
Alec has been affiliated with GEMS since he was an Explorer and took those experiences to college where he earned a degree in emergency management. Now he is a full time EMT and prepping to become a Paramedic. He has also been involved with the Cos Cob Fire Police for about 10 years and now serves on a leadership role there.
JOE MARINI
Joe Marini of Chicken Joe's in Cos Cob has been raising funds and delivering lunches to healthcare workers and first responders in Fairfield County. He personally delivers the meals from Westchester to Bridgeport. He has supplied thousands of meals.
GREENWICH HOSPITAL DOCTORS & NURSES
It's clear to me that the Town Heroes of 2020 work within the walls of the Greenwich Hospital. I nominate all Dr's, Nurses and support staff who have made the CV-19 Pandemic better than it otherwise would have been without their hard, loving care.
LAUREN DICAIRANO
Lauren works as a nurse in the Greenwich Hospital ER - she & associates have used cell phones to connect Covid patients with their families via FaceTime, visit them, hold their hands, play music, take them cards before or after her shift. Via her Facebook post: “Nobody should ever feel alone when they are sick or hospitalized.”
ANDREA BLUME
She is dedicated to her job and in this pandemic, gets up and goes to work everyday in spite of all dangers.
DAVID RABIN
Current CEO of the Greenwich United Way supporting the community. He is convening and helping community members and key stakeholders.
DR. FRANCIS X. WALSH
Dr. Francis Walsh has treated thousands of families in the greater Greenwich, Fairfield County area, as well as in New Haven. He has been tireless in the commitment to his practice, while throwing open his door to anyone who seeks his care. While many Dr's have opted out of the "system" to pursue more lucrative options, Dr. Walsh has stayed steadfast in his dedication to medicine and his family of patients.
LESLIE TARKINGTON
So many have contributed time and goodwill to our town during this crisis. The entire Board of Estimate and Taxation has worked tirelessly during this year - especially now - to produce a meaningful budget for residents of the Town of Greenwich. None of them is paid for their service and all twelve deserve recognition and tickets to the Town Party. Blessings.
LEIGH RETZLER
Hi. I nominate my friend and colleague Leigh Retzler. We first met when she volunteered at Greenwich Community Answers. We have worked at Round Hill Nursery School together for 26 years. She is an amazing member of the Greenwich, Connecticut Community. Her being a GTP hero would top her retirement!!!! She is loved my many, especially all of the children that she has touched! Thank You!!!!!!!!
DONNA SPELLMAN
Donna Spellman is the Executive Director of River House Adult Day Center. Her dedication and advocacy for aging adults in our community has inspired the Board of Directors of River House to nominate her as a 2020 Greenwich Town Party Hero. Donna is on the Executive Board of the Connecticut Association of Adult Day Centers and Co-Chairs the Dementia Friendly Greenwich Advisory Board where she provides insight for the Greenwich Commission of Aging into the needs of Greenwich’s aging adults and their caregivers.
DEBBIE VETROMILE
During the pandemic Debbie Vetromile, Executive Director for TAG, and her family members meet every morning at the teen center, with Tag drivers and staff, Boys and Girls Club staff and Neighbor to Neighbor staff and volunteers. She is there with one objective, to pack bags full of groceries and deliver them to families in need. She does this with a smile while helping load up five vans for the average of 128 families a day, usually 3-4 bags per family.
LISE JAMESON
Lise is the founding director of At Home In Greenwich. This organization runs out of Second Congregational Church and is all about having seniors age comfortably at home. She runs activities (field trips, book groups, game groups, bridge groups) and the endless job of fundraising and board meetings. She always has a smile on her face and truly cares for all her members with a warm embrace (precorona) and real interest in everything that is happening in their lives.
LORI CONTADINO
Lori Contadino always puts the well-being of seniors first. As innovator in the aging field, she has lead the Town of Greenwich to be the first town in Connecticut to be designated as both Age and Dementia Friendly by the AARP, World Health Organization and Dementia Friendly America. During the COVID-19 time period she has expanded and transformed how services are delivered to the vulnerable older adult population, despite having to utilize the virtual world to provide social interaction.
DUNCAN LAWSON
From finding sources of food to motivating staff and volunteers, to coordinating with community partners and procuring significant financial donations, Duncan is a hero. As the Operations Manager at Neighbor to Neighbor, our neighbors in need are always foremost in his mind. Whether they have been coming to Neighbor in the past or are newly experiencing economic stress, Duncan works hard to make sure that every household receives nutritious food.
DIANA DIGIOVANNA
Mrs. D teaches first grade at Cos Cob. She is truly an extraordinary person and teacher. During these difficult times, she had made herself available to support the children in so many ways. She made home visits to the students and spoke to them through their windows, she holds daily zoom lunch meetings with the children, she mailed letters home to all the children.
NAZANINE KHAIRKHAH
Dr. Nazanine Khairkhah is a doctor living in Greenwich and a real asset to our community. She has been serving different communities for 17 years and is one of the most sought after physicians in nephrology. Her education includes Harvard, Wellesley, Boston University and eventually NY Medical College. In addition to English, Nazanine speaks French, Farsi and Spanish fluently.
KATY YOUNG
We are nominating Mrs. Katy Young, a fifth grade teacher at Cos Cob School for going above and beyond with making sure we are on top of assignments and keeping our spirits up. She does daily google meets with our class so we still know she cares for us. Through this tough time we are looking forward to seeing our favorite teacher and revisiting her great jokes. Even though we are only just kids and only met a few heroes so far, she definitely is making a difference in this pandemic and our lives.
LYNN RIDBERG
My hero is my friend Lynn. She has been a Paramedic with GEMS since its inception, prior to that she was with SEMS. She tirelessly works 12 hours shifts 3-4 times a week & also teaches ACLS. MVA calls, cardiac arrests, strokes, falls, & anything else you can think of medically, she responds. She listens, is kind, compassionate, quick thinking, & best of all so competent.
KATE SULLIVAN
Among her many acts of kindness and civic engagement, Kate Sullivan is a tireless volunteer and leader at SilverSource, a leading resource for older adults in Stamford. SilverSource provides a safety net for older Stamford residents when there’s nowhere else to turn, serving veterans, grandparents, single mothers, laborers, first responders and many more outstanding members of the community who now find themselves as seniors in-need.
TATIANA MOHRIN
Mrs. Young is so kind, caring, funny, smart, and a great teacher. She has changed my life and other people’s lives, as well. She is always there to help us, check in with us, and make us laugh even with this all going on in the world. She has put so many smiles on peoples faces, including mine. She works so hard and it pays off. She makes our whole class laugh, smile, etc. and we are so glad that she is our teacher.