THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, March 27, 2020 Page 11 Northeast Metro Tech donates supplies to Melrose-Wakefield Healthcare W AKEFIELD – On March 20, Superintendent David DiBarri announced that Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School (Northeast Metro Tech) donated a variety of medical supplies to Melrose-Wakefield Healthcare. “After we closed our school as a precaution against the novel coronavirus, our staff went through the building, and we realized we had an incredible stock of supplies that we could donate to area hospitals, who critically need masks, gloves and sanitizer right now,” Superintendent DiBarri said. “It was an easy decision, and we’re happy to be able to do our part to support the medical community at this time.” While the school has been closed, administrators and teachers at Northeast Metro Tech went through the facility’s shops and classrooms to collect hand sanitizer, gloves and masks. Some of the supplies were also donated by staff and local businesses. ASKS | from page 10 dedication of the family and home life. A: I think so. How many times do grandparents seek out their grandchildren, but the kids are too busy? Now they have time. I saw a picture of one of the young men and a senior in town putting a puzzle together. I thought that was wonderful, so I think this [the coronavirus health crisis] has created a space for us to push away, to take a look … what is important? And families should be important. Faith is important. Those are the two primary things that I think are the greatest gifts from God – and that we get a chance to build our faith and to build our family and to absolutely build that relationship and make great memories in a very crazy time. And I think it’s going to be for the betterment of our culture and for our community. Q: It’s also been said that churches have been going through a tough time – a decline in enrollment and going through the consolidation with other churches and whatnot. Do you see – coming out of this crisis and health scare – a resurgence of faith when things get back to normal? Better attendance? More people getting involved? A: I do. I think that people are recalibrating their lives, realigning what is important and what’s not important. And Northeast Metro Tech donated gloves, masks, disinfecting wipes and materials, tissues and other supplies to Melrose-Wakefield Healthcare. (Courtesy Photo Northeast Metro Tech) The school donated approximately 2,000 latex gloves, 2,420 procedural masks, 120 N95 masks, 61 dust masks, 408 safety googles, approximately 20 hand sanitizer containers ranging from 2 ounces to 32 ounces, 81 disinfecting wipes containers, approximately 50 containers of rubbing alcohol of varying sizes, 23 boxes of alcohol prep sometimes it takes a crisis to do that: People put their faith on hold until they need it. I think we will see more community in the faith community. I’m hoping that people will recognize their need for the Lord and realize that he is our rock, that he is our anchor, so to answer your question … Yes, I do believe that we will see an increase, because it’s going to take priority again over what was pushed down just because of life’s business. Q: What do you see as the role of the Saugus Faith Community in all of this? A: I believe the Saugus Faith Community has a great opportunity to give the message of peace and hope: that even though there are storms, even though there are trials and there are tribulations and testings, Jesus’ words are true. He said, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” He makes us conquerors. We’re not victims. We can become victorious over every situation and circumstance. Q: Do you foresee a Sunrise Service on Easter Day in Saugus? A: I’m planning it. I’m hoping for it. Q: With social distancing? A: Yes, but we’ll see; we’ll see what happens and where everything is. Q: So, I guess right now, it looks like a lot of Easter services are going to be cancelled. A: Well, right now, we’re under the thing [government orpads, 27 bottles of multipurpose spray, 18 bottles of disinfecting spray, 60 boxes of tissues, two gallons of skin antiseptic, five bottles of liquid soap, 12 first aid kits and 10 eye wash kits with saline. “Our medical staff are working incredibly hard as our communities address the novel coronavirus situation, and we need masks, gloves der] – that we should be able to be open again, but we don’t know. We have to wait and see. If everybody stays home and this thing flatlines and things turn around; hopefully, we can all come back for a great celebration of Easter’s resurrection and services. Q: Anything else that you would like to share with the Saugus readers out there? A: Yes. I think the greatest gift that we can give is turning this thing around for our good – taking this opportunity to build relationships. We’re all very busy. Many people work 12- and 14-hour days – two jobs. And now that has been taken away because of this virus, so what do we do with it? How do we handle it? I believe that there is a positive in everything. I believe that there is a silver lining in this dark cloud, and that is this: Let’s build a relationship with our family. Let’s make it stronger than ever before. Let’s reach out to our neighbors, who we didn’t even know before, to see if they need help or if they need anything. Let’s reach out to that widow that is all by herself and see if she needs help. And let’s do whatever we can to help one another out. Instead of hoarding, let’s share. And let’s share that what we have, just to let people know that somebody cares and that they are valuable. So I think this is a great opportunity for all of us to make a difference in people’s lives. and sanitizer to be able to keep our front-line staff and our patients protected,” Melrose-Wakefield Healthcare Director of Media Relations and Social Media Rob Brogna said. “We’re thankful Northeast Metro Tech was able to make this donation, which will directly help medical professionals at Melrose-Wakefield Healthcare.” Northeast Metro Tech also donated 200 surgical and N95 masks to CHA Everett Hospital earlier this week. “Many of our district’s families in Chelsea and Revere use CHA Everett,” Superintendent DiBarri said, “so it was important to us that these supplies were given to hospitals in the communities where our students and their families live.” Essex Tech delivers food to students during COVID-19 closure D ANVERS – Superintendent Heidi Riccio reports that the administrative team, bus service employees and cafeteria staff at Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School partnered to deliver food to students while the school is closed as a precaution against COVID-19. Cafeteria staff at Essex Tech filled bags with food, including pasta, sauce, beans, cereal and granola bars, week for students in need. Bus drivers and administrators distributed approximately 380 bags to families in all 55 communities the school serves, also allowing administrators to check in with students should they need additional support while the school’s facility is closed. Buses delivered food directly to families’ doorsteps. “I’m proud of what our school staff and bus drivers have been able to accomplish for our students,” said Riccio. “This is a challenging time for us all, and continuing to provide the support our students need is essential even while our facility remains temporarily closed.” In addition to food, Essex Tech staff delivered a letter to families outlining other School nurse Niki Mulloy prepared bags of food to be distributed to families in the Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School community. (Photo Courtesy of Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School) services available to them in their communities. The district is additionally exploring other supports that families can be connected to while the school remains closed until Tuesday, April 7. Essex Tech additionally initiated its continuity of learning plan last Wednesday and will continue to work with families to ensure they have the support they need. “We’re working on what comes next,” Riccio said. “We will do what it takes to make sure our students have their needs met.”
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