Local Heros

Essential Worker Creates Face Masks for Others in Her Downtime

Essential worker Linda Conway of West Orange has not only been going to work daily throughout the pandemic, she has made face masks for over 500 people—for free.

Conway lives with one of her daughters and her son and self-isolates to avoid catching COVID-19 and bringing it home. To keep busy, she sews face masks.

At first, Linda made masks for her large family, sending some as far away as California and Chicago. She then created masks for colleagues, policemen, teachers, her bowling team, former classmates, senior citizen buildings in East Orange and more. Soon, people began reaching out and asking her to make masks for them. Lately, Linda has been working with another one of her daughters, Lauren Salvatoriello, a special education teacher at Kelly Elementary School in West Orange, to create masks that Lauren’s students like.

“Many of Lauren’s students don’t like wearing masks and tend to remove them,” says Linda. “I have been creating masks with sliders that don’t cause irritation to see if that helps.”

“This pandemic has truly brought out the best in a lot of us,” says Lauren. “Every day, people are heroes in their own ways. My mom’s giving nature sprung into action as soon as she realized there was a need for masks for everyone. She has never turned anyone away, and always delivers on my requests including masks for my special needs students.” Linda doesn’t charge for the masks, and credits her boss and parents for setting a charitable example that she strives to emulate.

“People have asked if they can pay me, but I won’t accept money,” she says. “I just want to give back.”

Linda Conway showcases one of the more than 500 masks she has sewn and given away for free throughout the pandemic.

West Essex YMCA A Beacon of Hope During Dark Times

When the pandemic hit, the West Essex YMCA rose to the occasion to support the community. The Y provided a safe place for children, delivered food to the food insecure, supported the national blood shortage, checked on the senior population, distributed diapers to the needy and so much more.

Since March 2020, The Y has provided 99,000 pounds of food to 108 local families through weekly distributions to local partners including Livingston’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris Counties, and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Food Pantry in West Orange. The Y also collected and distributed over 1200 diapers to families in need.

“During this unprecedented crisis, we are fortunate to have been able to support our community in a number of ways, including being a reliable resource for residents who are struggling with food insecurity,” says District Executive Director of the West Essex Y, Cheryl Tuturice.

In addition, the Y provided a safe place for the children of 65 families including those of essential workers and first responders. The organization also developed a virtual homework education program, and a kindergarten readiness program.

Recognizing that the senior population had become the most isolated population during the crisis, the Y stepped in to provide over 300 hours of wellness checks. The Y also addressed the national blood shortage by collecting over 55 pints of blood, saving approximately 165 lives.

These efforts are monmouth, and there are more. The West Essex YMCA continues to make a difference every day and is a shining light during these dire times.

“Without the support of our community, staff, and volunteers, we would not be able to make the impact we’ve made in such a short time, and we have no intention of stopping,” says Tuturice.

West Essex YMCA volunteers deliver food during the pandemic.

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