#HeyThanks: Showcasing local acts of kindness during the coronavirus pandemic

With all of the news and updates regarding COVID-19 and its negative impacts, Boston 25 News has created a new segment to showcase the positive things happening as communities band together to help each other. Keep ’em coming..Some local acts of kindness..Neighbors helping neighbors,..Or, the small businesses and restaurants safely staying open so we can support them. Post me with what you’re seeing.Please retweet and share with others.#HeyThanks pic.twitter.com/z3pZFkH6Qx— Peter Wilson (@PetesWire) March 23, 2020 Elvis impersonator puts on show in Shrewsbury Each bear comes with a matching mask for the child and a tip sheet on staying healthy. Olivia Carlson the idea came from her own experience – her father died when she was young and a teddy bear brought her enormous comfort during that time. Kathy Rogers in Weymouth has been a nurse for more than 40 years and she got a birthday surprise from her loved ones. Hey, Thanks to the Boston Police Department for doing their part to keep the city safe. The firefighters with Amesbury FD made the video for a Talent Show that was canceled due to COVID-19. They decided to still release the video to make people smile. A 13-year-old boy with autism with a love for trains celebrated his birthday in great style with the help of some friends at Keolis. A 13-year-old boy with autism with a love for trains celebrated his birthday in great style with the help of some friends at Keolis. The money donated by the church will go towards buying groceries and even helping families pay their rent and other bills. The money donated by the church will go towards buying groceries and even helping families pay their rent and other bills. A local woman who has been battling cancer during this pandemic has taken her free time and used it to make 8,000 masks for her community. A local woman who has been battling cancer during this pandemic is using her free time to make 8,000 masks for her community. Massachusetts-native James Taylor and his family shared a message of thanks and a song with healthcare workers on the frontlines fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Bobby Oliver served in the Normandy invasion and is a retired Winthrop police officer. Police from Revere, Boston and Everett joined in to show their support and thank him for his service. After the mother of one of their classmates was diagnosed with ALS, a group of seniors from Walpole High School decided to raise awareness and money for the fight against the disease during ALS Awareness Month. You can find more info at facebook.com/4youiwillfight/. Kraft is participating in the All In Challenge to help provide food to those in need. The winning bidder gets the ring from the Pats’ comeback win over Atlanta and a tour of their facility at Gillette Stadium. “We figured it’s a little bit of ray of sunshine in this gloom and doom of a virus.” Wilmington-based Spectra Medical Devices donated lunch and flowers to new mothers and healthcare workers. Those families received food at the New Hampshire Food Bank in Loudon. “It certainly has proved that art and maker’s spaces, the community and innovation in them, can aid a local crisis, and I’m very proud of that.” As we celebrate nurses this week and moms this weekend, a single mom in Wayland is a hero both at work and at home. Todd Angilly is usually singing The National Anthem at Bruins Games, but yesterday he sang for healthcare workers at Lahey Hospital in Burlington. A firefighter who has a tree business on the side offered a family use of his cherry picker to see their brother. Nursing home workers in Norton were brought to tears as first responders drove by to thank them for their work on the front line. Residents in Canton held a birthday parade for World War II veteran Howard Hanson who turned 95 years old. Front line workers and medical professionals at Brockton Hospital got a #HeyThanks from local first responders. Many early-morning shoppers in Bellingham were surprised to see a kind stranger outside a Market Basket handing them gift cards. Many early-morning shoppers in Bellingham were surprised to see a kind stranger outside a Market Basket handing them gift cards. It was a rapidly disappearing commodity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. And so, when a box of 50,000 donated N-95 face masks arrived a few weeks ago, doctors and nurses were relieved. Luckily, Boston-based New Balance was nearby to help. It was a rapidly disappearing commodity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. And so, when a box of 50,000 donated N-95 face masks arrived a few weeks ago, doctors and nurses were relieved. April 28 is National Superhero Day and health care workers at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth got a warm welcome from Batman, Iron Man, Superman and Green Lantern. Health care workers at South Shore Hospital received a hero’s welcome on National Superhero Day. Destined to brighten up people’s day during the pandemic, a local musician put on a concert this weekend to spread a little joy. Destined to bright up people’s day during the pandemic, a local musician put on a concert this weekend to spread a little joy. A local police officer went back on Saturday to check in on the family she had helped the week before when the family’s 3-year-old was hurt when playing with his brother. A local police officer went back on Saturday to check in on the family she had helped the week before when the family’s 3-year-old was hurt when playing with his brother. Actor Steve Carell made a special video thanking health care workers fighting the pandemic at Emerson Hospital in Concord. Carell was born there and his mother worked there for decades. Hey Thanks to actor Steve Carell who took time to thank health care workers at Emerson Hospital where his mother worked. Well over 100 people surprised a WWII veteran on Sunday with a birthday parade by his nursing home. Ottavio Cerullo just turned 99 years old. “We were going to try to plan something big for him, but then this all got in the way,” said Shari Sweeney, who works with Cerullo at the Compass on the Bay Assisted Living Facility in Boston. Sweeney says because of COVID-19, they could no longer throw Cerullo a birthday party, so she worked with Boston city leaders in the mayor’s office to organize a huge parade Sunday. Well over 100 people surprised a WWII veteran on Sunday with a birthday parade by his nursing home. Levi loves motorcycles and nearly 300 riders showed up to wish him a happy birthday and give him gifts and balloons. Friends, family, and grateful citizens hold a rolling celebration for WW2 Vet Joe Markarian on this, his 100th birthday As a time when small businesses are suffering due to COVID-19 related restrictions, one restaurant in Bridgewater is actually giving away pizza for free to families in need. Wahlburgers is keeping first responders fed with free food. In recent weeks, an anonymous woman has been paying for hundreds of dollars in pizza. The woman is being dubbed the “pizza bandit.” On the South Shore, Rags Tavern turns out their popular individual pizzas. In recent weeks, an anonymous woman has been paying for hundreds of dollars in pizza. The woman is being dubbed the “pizza bandit.” #HeyThanks to the anonymous donor who donated $5,000 and paid for all the groceries of the seniors shopping at Shaws. With the Massachusetts stay-at-home advisory keeping College Hype’s physical doors closed, Jack Doherty and some of his furloughed employees have been volunteering their time by creating and selling shirts through an online pop-up store and donating the money to area hospitals to supply nurses and doctors with PPE. Jack Doherty, the owner of the Weymouth-based screenprint and embroidery company College Hype, has raised $25,000 for personal protective equipment for doctors and nurses at local hospitals by selling nearly 1,200 of the ‘Resilience’ shirts they designed. One local teenager took matters into her own hands and decided to help out her community in a big way. One local teenager took matters into her own hands and decided to help out her community in a big way. Pratheek Kuimanda teamed up with five of his close friends from Andover High School to make 3-D-printed face shields. The group is on track to producer more than 450 face shields for health care workers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Lawrence General Hospital – and is getting requests from nursing homes as well. The group recently got a grant from the Service Club of Andover to increase their production and are now getting help from the wider community. The group is on track to producer more than 450 face shields for health care workers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Lawrence General Hospital – and is getting requests from nursing homes as well. The students would like to increase their production even more so they can help supply additional facilities with face shields. The owner of I Love Boston Sports is putting old inventory to good use by distributing T-shirts that can made into masks. The shirts are free, but must be donated and not sold. You can message I Love Boston Sports on Facebook for more information. The owner of ‘I Love Boston Sports’ had lots of old inventory sitting in a warehouse, so he’s offering it for free to people who will make masks and donate them. He still has two trucks filled with old shirts sitting outside his house ready to pick up. So seniors in Auburn could stay safe at home, the Worcester County Sheriff and his reserve deputies ran errands for them and made sure to deliver groceries and other necessities to their doors! So seniors in Auburn could stay safe at home, the Worcester County Sheriff and his reserve deputies ran errands for them and made sure to deliver groceries and other necessities to their doors! Three years ago, Liam Hannon says he was looking for an alternative to a traditional summer camp. He says he found a calling, helping the homeless right outside his front door in Central Square in Cambridge. Three years ago, Liam Hannon says he was looking for an alternative to a traditional summer camp. He says he found a calling, helping the homeless right outside his front door in Central Square in Cambridge. When 14-year-old Cam Sullivan asked his parents for a 3D Printer for Christmas, he never imagined he’d be using it to potentially save lives. Cam Sullivan is putting his 3D printer to use and making N95 masks from a template he found on makingthemasks.com and is giving them to health care workers, including two nurses, that are connected to his family. When the pandemic hit, Cam, who his mom says is “always tinkering, always inventing,” wanted to help. His father works in hospitals and the Sullivan family has several friends and relatives who are nurses. He found a 3D mask template online and got to work. Cam says the main toll is on the printer but the process is relatively easy. The masks take about 15 hours to print and he’s been running his 3D printer nonstop. His message to others: “If anyone has a 3D printer, why not do it? It’s helping out.” Cam’s masks will go to health care workers with ties to his family, including his hockey coach’s wife and the relative of a friend, who are both nurses. After he couldn’t conduct his business due to the social shutdown caused by COVID-19, Bill D’Orio decided to use his knowledge from the entertainment business to help raise funds for local restaurants. After he couldn’t conduct his business due to the social shutdown caused by COVID-19, Bill D’Orio decided to use his knowledge from the entertainment business to help raise funds for local restaurants. We’re saying #HeyThanks to the Hingham family of a man fighting COVID-19. They’re so thankful to the staff at Massachusetts General Hospital for keeping him alive, they’re now raising money to help those healthcare workers. We’re saying #HeyThanks to the Hingham family of a man fighting COVID-19. They’re so thankful to the staff at Massachusetts General Hospital for keeping him alive, they’re now raising money to help those healthcare workers. UPS driver Jeremy Squires loves his job. For 20 years, he has been delivering packages in the western Massachusetts city of Pittsfield and he has a real passion for the people he serves. UPS driver Jeremy Squires loves his job. For 20 years, he has been delivering packages in the western Massachusetts city of Pittsfield and he has a real passion for the people he serves. One local family set up a wall outside Lawrence General Hospital in honor of EMS workers. A local family created a tribute wall for all the EMS workers outside of Lawrence General Hospital. A Northeastern graduate and former hockey player who now owns a protective gear business is using his tools to help make face masks for medical workers. Glen Giovanucci, who played hockey in college and now has a protective gear business, is using his tools to help medical workers. Johnny Kapnis of Salem, Massachusetts is a 91-year-old retired firefighter. He has 11 children, 26 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. His family joined forces with the Salem Fire Department to give him a special Easter parade he’ll never forget. Many people are getting used to virtual meetings as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused stay-at-home advisories and dogs are no exception. The Brookline Police Department shared these adorable pictures of their comfort dog participating in a virtual meeting. The Brookline Police Department shared these photos of their comfort dog in a virtual meeting with peers. (Brookline Police Department) The Department wrote “The COVID-19 emergency is being addressed through close collaboration on a local, state and federal level. In that spirit, Brookline Police Comfort Dog Bear took part in a virtual meeting with his peers from other area agencies.” The Goldstein family has switched production at their factory where they work with bag and accessories to making masks and donating them. They have even hired college students to help get high demand items to people who need them most. Any frontline worker in need of a mask can order one from their website at no charge and they will ship it out right away. The Goldstein family has switched production at their factory where they work with bag and accessories to making masks and donating them. They have even hired college students to help get high demand items to people who need them most. A local family found a creative way to get their mom and dad face to face for the first time in weeks. A local family found a creative way to get their mom and dad face to face for the first time in weeks. Turns out wearing a mask nonstop can have some physical side effects you may not have predicted. Two companies, The Cue and Custom Sports Sleeves, heard about this problem and paired up to solve it. Turns out wearing a mask nonstop can have some physical side effects you may not have predicted. Two companies, The Cue and Custom Sports Sleeves, heard about this problem and paired up to solve it. A Reading woman is putting lots of smiles on lots of faces after she posted about her memorable trip to the grocery store. A Reading woman is putting lots of smiles on lots of faces after she posted about her memorable trip to the grocery store. Officer Steve Kelly of the Quincy Police Department to the rescue! He helped a man whose electric scooter ran out of juice. Officer kelly pushed the officer home and got him all the way up to his apartment on the 4th floor. Twelve-year-old Harry Holbrook is spending a lot of time at his computer, but it’s not all schoolwork. The Rockland sixth-grader is using his 3D printer to make mask relief bands for nurses and health care workers after he found a design online and began making the homemade extenders. “It’s a good feeling when you know you helped someone today,” said Holbrook. The extenders help relieve soreness around the ears since many nurses and health care workers are wearing the masks for hours on end. Nurses tell him what he’s doing is a game-changer. Doctors, nurses and first responders are risking their own health and safety as well as that of their families to care for sick people and save lives. Workers on the front lines say while it hasn’t been easy, they know they committed to helping out their community and understand the importance of their skills at a time like this. But, we wanted to know, from those putting their lives on the line to save others: why do they do what they do? We wanted to know, from those putting their lives on the line to save others: why do they do what they do? While the coronavirus outbreak has canceled most visits and pictures with the Easter Bunny, one town is arranging for socially distant home visits from the bunny himself. Parents who schedule visits online with the Norwood Recreation Department receive a call giving them the heads-up that the Easter Bunny is on his way. Kids watch from a distance as the hopping and dancing rabbit spends a few minutes in their front yard, waving and tossing chocolate treats from their partner and local candy shop, Furlong’s Candies. The hopping and dancing rabbit spends a few minutes in the front yard, waving and tossing chocolate treats. As part of our #HeyThanks segment, we’re highlighting the work the University of New Hampshire is doing to help support their community by providing supplies for health care workers. The university is also converting their gym as a space to treat COVID-19 patients. As part of our #HeyThanks segment, we’re highlighting the work the University of New Hampshire is doing to help support their community by providing supplies for health care workers. The university is also converting their gym as a space to treat COVID-19 patients. The Patriots’ plane is picking up N95 masks from China for Mass. health care workers. No days off. Thanks to some serious teamwork, Massachusetts is set to receive over 1 million N95 masks for our front-line workers. Huge thanks to the Krafts and several dedicated partners for making this happen. pic.twitter.com/ieV6XMC5Ow— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) April 2, 2020 The windows of Tufts Medical Center are now adorned with handwritten messages sent to healthcare workers on the front lines fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Dozens of hearts with handwritten messages have shown up at the hospital over the last few weeks. On Wednesday, the staff tweeted out photos saying they “sure are feeling the love” Volunteers are needed to help create and deliver food packages for military families across Massachusetts. Want to help? Go to patriots.com/covid19. Giulia Sousa, a junior at Everett High School, is making masks for health care workers and residents at nursing homes. So far, she’s made 500 masks. During the pandemic,Boston 25 is saying Hey Thanks to local people doing great things to help. You can now watch adorable puppies play live thanks to Canine Companions. You can now watch puppies live thanks to Canine Companions for Independence. Boston 25 is highlighting positive stories and saying thank you to those doing great things during the coronavirus outbreak. A woman who turned 83 at Brightview Senior Living in Canton was serenaded by her family who practiced social distancing and sang to her. Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and his girlfriend, Sports Illustrated model Camille Kostek, have donated 20,000 N95 masks to Boston Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Health Foundation. View this post on Instagram So when we all say we are a FAMILY at @si_swimsuit I mean it in the truest sense of the word. @camillekostek is a former #siswimsearch winner, SI Rookie and 2019 Cover Model. @gronk is her partner in life and @patriots legend and friend and supporter of this brand. They just donated 10,000 KN95 masks to both @sjhnj and @bostonmedicalcenter. And I am moved beyond words. But this type of generosity deserves words. On a personal note, I have been appealing to people to #stayinandsew #flattenthecurve and support their local hospitals and caregivers in need. My husband is a physician at @sjhnj and many of our friends and colleagues are on the front lines there fighting this pandemic. Like many of the hospitals in the epicenter of this war, they are critically short on supplies. Especially masks. What Camille and Rob have done for this hospital, the caregivers, the patients, and the community made me cry tears of joy. It’s been restorative to my faith that we can make a difference no matter how big or small. It shows me that the type of people that I get to work with care about me and you just as much as we care about them. And no matter what team they played for, we are all on the same team now. There is no way to quantify the gratitude I have for you both. Let’s motivate others to do the same, or what they can to help our hospitals and caregivers battle for us. Make a mask, stay home, donate, use your platform. Do what you can, because it all matters. These masks equate to lives saved. Period. Thank you. ❤️ A post shared by MJ Day (@mj_day) on Mar 30, 2020 at 7:52am PDT Employees at the Dunkin’ in Pembroke Center are putting a smile on faces by scribbling positive messages on coffee cups for customers. The messages? “Nothing but positivity” and “Have a Great Day!” #HeyThanks to Dunkin’ in Pembroke Center The head of housekeeping at Salmon Health and Retirement says he was called to spread love and joy. He did so by singing to residents! Some other employees helped out by wheeling him around the community. Teachers in Burlington who miss their students decided to host a parade to let them know they are missed. Teachers in Burlington held a parade to cheer up students. As the Girl Scouts cooking selling season comes to an abrupt end due to COVID-19, Girl Scouts are donating the rest of their cookies to healthcare workers and first responders. The Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass. delivered sweet treats and PPE to health care workers on the front lines fighting against coronavirus. Look for the helpers! Giada, a Junior Girl Scout, has been helping her Dad, Michael Sabatini, create protective masks…Posted by Hingham Girl Scouts on Sunday, March 22, 2020 Ally Wilson from Marshfield turned 10-years-old and a group of moms organized a birthday parade to help celebrate while practicing social distancing rules. Louie was all set to celebrate his third birthday with his friends at school until the COVID-19 pandemic caused school closures and social distancing rules. His mother reached out to the community Facebook page and asked residents to drive by and wish him a Happy Birthday. Residents came out and gave Louie a birthday he will never forget. Residents in Medway are spreading unity and pride by lighting candles and singing together at 8 p.m. every night. Medway….Let’s all join in on this terrific idea and show our Medway pride! It’s easy and free. All you have to do is put a candle in your window and gather your family on your front porch or driveway at 8:00 p.m. each night and share your vocal talents. Let’s do this! #unity #community #Medwaytogetherwecan (Please share your videos!)Posted by Town of Medway, MA on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 A team of 3D printing enthusiasts from Worcester and New York are making medical shields for healthcare workers on the front line during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cindy Bader is a Special Education Preschool Teacher in Easton and she brought along her dog Dunkin to drive by the homes of her students. Cindy Bader, a special education teacher in Eason does scheduled drive-by visits so her students can feel support. She also brings her dog Dunkin. (Alexa Bader) Cindy Bader, a special education teacher in Eason does scheduled drive-by visits so her students can feel support. She also brings her dog Dunkin. (Alexa Bader) Twelve-year-old Caleb Quigley delivered homemade kale soup, a grilled cheese sandwich and toilet paper to his friend’s great grandmother who his family adopted as their “Nona.” Twelve-year-old Caleb Quigley delivers hot soup and sandwiches to his best friend’s great grandmother during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Sheri Baker) Boston microblading salon, Browstetics, donated masks and gloves to healthcare workers at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Firefighters with Holbrook Firefighters IAFF Local 1452 took to social media to read books to children. Those on the front lines fighting the COVID-19 pandemic can get a free tall brewed coffee from Starbucks until May 3rd. Thank you Kyle, one of our many partners serving those who are keeping our communities safe. You bring our Mission and Values to life and I could not be more proud. Thank you. https://t.co/Hq8UBeq7nc— Kevin Johnson (@Kevin_Johnson) March 25, 2020 Residents who live on Beacon Street in Boston are promoting unity and positivity by singing together every day at 6 pm. Every day at 6 pm, neighbors on Beacon Street in Boston sing together to promote unity while practicing safe social distancing. Leslie Browne, a well-known photographer in Walpole, practiced social distancing while taking pictures of families to raise money for ALS. Leslie Browne, a well-known Walpole photographer, is practicing social distancing as she takes family portraits to raise money for ALS. The Honey Dew Donuts in Plainville will be offering discounts to healthcare workers and first responders in the front lines during the coronavirus pandemic. Local fashion designer Kelly Dempsey, who was featured on Season 14 of Project Runway, took to social media to share her mission of making masks for healthcare workers who desperately need them during the coronavirus pandemic. Those interested in helping Kelly can reach out to her on Instagram. Today we delivered 1,000+ masks & thousands of gloves to local hospitals & healthcare facilities. Council Prez @MelBarrett103 joined & helped identify facilities in greatest need. #COVID19Growing up, my dad would often wake me up early on a wknd to go pick up medical supplies/1 pic.twitter.com/JOEsFxGADL— Andy X. Vargas (@RepAndyVargas) March 23, 2020 From diligently following the public health protocols, to checking in with seniors and donating where you can — we will come out stronger, equipped with the tools and inertia to build a more just society. /3— Andy X. Vargas (@RepAndyVargas) March 23, 2020 The Sharon Police Department tweeted that anyone who needs food assistance should call the Sharon Fire Department or send an email to jwright@townofsharon.org. Students with the Boston Conservatory at the Berklee College of Music performed “What the World Needs Now” by Burt Bacharach. Each musician recorded a video of themself singing the song and it was put together to create a virtual orchestra. Teachers from Carver Elementary School were escorted by members of the Carver Fire and Police Departments for a parade to say hello to their students while practicing safe social distancing. Teachers from Northwest Elementary School in Leominster held a teacher’s parade to practice social distancing while visiting students. The family-owned and operated restaurant gave away free clams to members of the community. The bstrong program is a disaster relief initiative that provides real-time emergency assistance to individuals and their families in crisis with much-needed supplies. Bethenny Frankel spoke to Boston 25 Morning News anchor Elizabeth Hopkins about bstrong’s coronavirus kits. Bethenny Frankel joins Boston 25 Morning News to discuss her foundation’s coronavirus kits being donated. Cameron from Gloucester was supposed to have a skating birthday party to celebrate turning 5 years old on March 21, but it was canceled due to coronavirus. His friends still wanted to show Cameron they cared so they all did a drive-by hello to wish him a Happy Birthday! One Walpole-based bakery is looking to help local parents celebrate their children’s upcoming birthdays with free cupcakes, according to the company’s post on social media Friday evening. The bakery, Melt in Your Mouth, is doing so to help spread cheer to children with upcoming birthdays that have been, or likely will be, impacted by social distancing brought about by COVID-19. South Shore Children’s Chorus can’t perform together in person because of the coronavirus outbreak, as all rehearsals and events are suspended through at least April 7. But that didn’t stop the children from letting the show go on. Central Square Florist had an abundance of flowers. It usually does, but their shop was especially filled as weddings, parties and even funerals had been canceled. The family-owned business decided to do what it can to help out other businesses struggling under the smothering stillness across the city. A Weymouth man has set up a “pop-up pantry” for seniors to get free in-demand supplies during the coronavirus outbreak. A Weymouth man has set up a ‘pop-up pantry’ for seniors to get free in-demand supplies during the coronavirus outbreak. You can find more news on coronavirus here. © 2020 © 2020 Cox Media Group
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