'She Is Doing Amazing Work In This Emergency': Yountville Hero

YOUNTVILLE, CA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Yountville Public Works Director Joe Tagliaboschi, who nominated Samantha Holland:

Where the nominee lives:

Napa

Name of the nominee:

Samantha Holland

Is the nominee considered an "essential worker"?:

Yes

What does the nominee do for work?:

Parks and Recreation director for the Town of Yountville

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?

Samantha is awesome. During this emergency while the normal business of Parks and Rec has been curtailed Samantha and her staff are doing amazing work. Very early on, Samantha recognized that many of the children who get meals at school wouldn't be getting them. For most of these kids this might be the only substantial meal they get in the day. Sam started out serving only a few but within a few weeks she and her team are serving upwards of 25 meals to these children.

Samantha has also taken up sewing so she could provide masks to those who need them.

Samantha is a very thoughtful person and when a coworker lamented that she missed some comfort food that she had neglected to pick up, Sam picked it up on her trip to the store and dropped them as a surprise at the coworkers door.

In our small community we know there are folks who might need help and others who would also provide help if they knew a friend or neighbor needed something. We have an existing program here in town called "Neighbors helping Neighbors" that was started by two of our Town Council Members Kerri Dorman and Marita Dorenbecher. Sam used this program created some bilingual door hangers that were distributed throughout town and with several responses, neighbors are able to help neighbors! There are many more instances of these types of tasks and activities Samantha is doing, and it's always so welcome and positive. Way to go, Sam!

What's one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:

She is always thinking of ways to provide help and bring joy and comfort to people's lives in ways small and large.

Thank you for all you do, Samantha!

>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.