THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 Page 7 Citation awarded to business owners, residents for donating masks and food By Tara Vocino W ard 2 residents are giving back to their community in making approximately 3,000 masks and donating food to more than 400 families out of their Irving Street home and flower shop on Ferry Street. Back when masks were not widely available, Karina Sousa, her mother, Maria Oliveira, and friends sewed masks and exchanged masks for food donations, which they redirected to people in need. Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins presented a City of Everett citation to the Helloguan Florist owners on MonOn Monday night, Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins, along with the City Council, honored, from left to right, volunteers Sophia Sousa, Maria Oliveira, Karina Sousa and Giulia Sousa for making masks. “Karina’s out-of-the-box idea and selflessness created a new channel to help a whole other segment of our community that we had not reached yet,” Martins said. “I am extremely thankful for their energy and efforts and also to the city for immediately providing me with more groceries each week so we could add to her distribution and feed more families.” Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins awarded a citation to Karina Sousa (left) on Monday for her work in sewing thousands of masks and donating food to hundreds of families. Sousa emigrated from Brazil in 2009. She thanked her friends and family who helped her with this project: Moises Oliveira, Adriana Mazuco, Ana Paula Zavodini, Elis Andrade, Claudinei Ferreira, Claudia Souza, Vera Gonçalves, Suelen Souza, Giulia Sousa, Sophia Sousa, Sultana Market, Vitória Meat Market, Councillor Martins and Ward 6 Councillor Michael McLaughlin. Martins said Sousa’s mother, Maria, used her own freezer at her flower shop, Helloguan on Ferry Street, to store the vegetables. She is extremely proud to see them as Brazilian immigrants giving back to the community. They also created a hat brand, “Os Pé Vermelho in America.” With the sale of these hats, they bought food to help community members. Ward 6 Councillor Michael McLaughlin, Karina Sousa and Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins are pictured outside of Sousa’s Irving Street home. (Courtesy photos, Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins) WE CAN HELP PAY YOUR HEATING BILLS! You may qualify for Program and be eligible for as much as towards your heating costs (oil, gas, or electric). Household of 1 = $39,105 Household of 2 = $51,137 Household of 3 = $63,169 Household of 4 = $75,201 Karina Sousa and her friends/family made and donated thousands of masks. day morning. Sousa said she decided to help because she saw many Latino families who do not speak English going through hard times, not knowing how to support their family, without jobs or resources. “I am feeling very honored with the citation I received,” Sousa said. “It’s so special to see an immigrant [receive] something like this, not only for me, but for the whole community (Courtesy photo, Karina Sousa) – and to know that everyone can make a difference in someone’s life.” Martins, who helped transport food, said Sousa and her friends/family stepped up during a time when city operations were coming together and there were many people in need. The city pantries were working day and night to reach thousands of residents, and still, there were so many people to get to. Cold days are coming. ABCD’s got you covered. APPLY TODAY! Last day to apply is April 30, 2021 Residents of 178 Tremont Street, Boston, MA — 617.357.6012 Residents of 18 Dartmouth Street, Malden, MA — 781.322.6284
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