(BALDWIN, N.Y.) - Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé (D - Freeport) recognized the grit, resilience, resourcefulness and compassion shown by the “COVID Heroes” of the Fifth Legislative District during a ceremony on the grounds of the Baldwin Historical Museum on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Honorees from every corner of the district were nominated by local community leaders and organizations and selected by Legislator Mulé’s office for their outstanding contributions to COVID-19 pandemic relief and going above and beyond the call of their duties as first responders, frontline workers, healthcare professionals, philanthropists, educators, sanitation professionals and more.
COVID Heroes honorees received a Nassau County Citation from Legislator Mulé and commendations from Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, New York State Senators Todd Kaminsky and John Brooks, and New York State Assembly Member Judy Griffin. Honorees also received a token of appreciation from the Girl Scouts.
In addition, each honoree received an original piece of artwork from Long Island Laboring Against COVID-19 (LILAC), a student-run COVID-19 relief organization. During the pandemic, LILAC has distributed more than 120,000 pieces of personal protective equipment, delivered meals to families in need, and launched various initiatives to boost spirits.
The Fifth Legislative District COVID Heroes are:
- Zhanna Weinstein, Medic - Baldwin Fire Department
- Lonnie Greene, Lieutenant - Baldwin Fire Department
- Nick LaBorne, Ex-Captain, Freeport Fire Department
- Nassau County PD - First Precinct
- John Carey, Food Pantry Volunteer, Church of St. Christopher, Baldwin
- Island Harvest
- Olivia Rodriguez, EMT - South Hempstead Fire Department
- Joshua Mercado, EMT - South Hempstead Fire Department
- Sherrisse Young, Director of Pupil Services, Baldwin Public Schools
- Wendy Moreta, RN, South Ocean Care Federally Qualified Health Center, Freeport
- John Jacobsen, Sergeant, Freeport Police Department
- Denise Martinez, Manager - GalaFresh supermarket, Baldwin
- Christina O’Leary, Director, Sandel Senior Center of Rockville Centre
- Elena Correnti, Physical Therapist, Mount Sinai South Hospital, Oceanside
- Charles Dudley, Employee - Sanitary District No. 2
- Baldwin Post Office (in recognition of invaluable contributions made by USPS employees during the pandemic)
“These past few months have been especially challenging amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact was felt not only locally but throughout the world. However, this period of adversity illuminated the everyday heroes who live among us,” Legislator Mulé said. “Whether it was responding to a call to provide assistance to those stricken with the virus, donating their time and service to volunteer, educating our youth or inspiring and lifting others up during this crisis, every person being honored here tonight has emerged as a pillar of our community through the valuable contributions they made to benefit the well-being of our district. They have responded admirably in the face of enormous challenges presented during these unprecedented times, and I thank them for their steadfast commitment to public service.”
PHOTO CAPTION - Legislator Mulé and her colleagues in government congratulate the Fifth Legislative District’s COVID Heroes’ during a ceremony held on the ground so the Baldwin Historical Museum on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
PHOTO CREDIT - Office of Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé