Recognizing our community’s everyday heroes

Note: This article was a part of our Salute to Hometown Heroes special section, which published April 23, 2020. You can read the full section at haldimandpress.com/the-haldimand-press-online and choosing “Salute to Hometown Heroes”.

Toni Hayes Powell of Dunnville posts daily  Everyday Heroes in the CareMongering: Haldimand Ontario group on Facebook to recognize those who continue to help keep our community safe and functioning. Hayes Powell began Day 1 of Everyday Heroes on March 22, 2020. Here are some of her posts.

Day 26 – April 16: Lisa Rossi

Lisa is a Grade 1-2 teacher for Niagara Catholic District School Board. She has been spending her time learning new skills so that she can teach her students in a virtual environment while also trying to ensure her own school-aged children keep up with their own studies. While she is amazed at all of the ways we can communicate with each other virtually, Lisa knows that NOTHING replaces the human component and online learning is only a shadow of the daily, in-person interactions. “There are little chunks of my heart currently social distancing from my body and each of my students has a piece. I am not a hero. These babies, who’ve been on this earth for six or seven years are the true heroes and I applaud them for their tenacity, strength, wonder, and hope. I ask parents and students to please be kind and patient with each other through this process as it is new for us all. I ask that we all look out for each other and that we DO NOT GIVE UP! I await the time when we are reunited amidst the story time carpet, freshly wiped chalk board, yummy lunch snacks, and foil wrapped flowers,” said Lisa. Thank you for supporting and inspiring our children.

Day 24 – April 14: Riley and Sam Thompson

This brother and sister team are working hard to provide the products, services, and expertise you’ve come to expect at Ruffin’s Pet Centre in Dunnville. They will no longer be allowing customers entry to the store, but will continue to help support your pets’ needs through curbside pick up and delivery service only. They encourage you to phone in your orders ahead of time so they are able to have it ready and waiting upon your arrival. They are also asking for credit card payments to limit interaction between customer and staff, so either over the phone or tap through the glass when you arrive. However, cash will still be accepted. “We appreciate your loyalty and patience through this difficult time, remember we are all in this together!” they said.

Day 22 – April 12: Shannon Moyer-Nolan

Shannon is an Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) at Edgewater Gardens Long-term Care in Dunnville. Today is Easter Sunday and as we stay home with family, Shannon is with residents that she views as her extended family, protecting them as much as we protect those we live with. Shannon said, “We are living the best life possible at the moment given the circumstances we have been presented. My wish is that everyone obeys the rules and takes social distancing seriously. We can beat COVID-19 with due diligence and time. I am not an individual hero – I work with an amazing group of heroes everyday.” The personal sacrifices that Shannon and her coworkers are making everyday need to be acknowledged and remembered. Thank you so much for caring for our families like your own.

Day 21 – April 11: Tracy Clark

Tracy is a Surgical Nurse at Haldimand War Memorial Hospital & Edgewater Gardens Long-Term Care. Because of COVID-19 the operating room is now only open for emergency surgeries so she has been reassigned to help out in the emergency department. Tracy has had to develop an extensive decontamination process for herself before going home to her supportive family in order to try to keep everyone she loves safe. The best thing we can all do to support the nurses in our lives is to follow World Health Organization guidelines to minimize the virus’s spread and STAY HOME! Thank you so much Tracy for being unbelievably courageous in the face of COVID-19. We are so grateful for your extraordinary skill and compassion.

Day 20 – April 10: Angie Knuth

You can always find Angie at her home away from home at Debb’s Cuisine on Queen. Angie makes a point of genuinely caring for everyone who comes to Debb’s Cuisine, making you feel like you are exactly where you belong. In light of COVID-19, she and fellow staff have raised their usual high standard of cleanliness and health safety even higher. She delivers your meal right to your car, making sure you are completely protected. She said she is “so grateful for the support everyone has shown. Life is different right now and in order to do things right, it all takes just a bit longer for every small step we take for granted. Everyone’s patience is so much appreciated and I will be excited to see everyone’s smiling faces at their tables as soon as this passes.” Thank you Angie.