Nonprofit Chief Delivers Critical Supplies: Santa Cruz Hero

SANTA CRUZ, CA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. And Santa Cruz County is full of them.

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 Tami Woods of David, who nominated her mom Cece Pinheiro of Santa Cruz:

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?:
Yes

What does the nominee do for work?:
She is the Executive Director of a small non profit called the Special Parents Information Network and they serve families with kids with disabilities

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
When the shelter in place began she sprang into action and delivered emergency preparedness backpacks to the families, backpacks had much needed hand sanitizer and toilet paper among other vital supplies. She and her small staff of 5 had been doing emergency preparedness trainings for the most vulnerable in our community for over a year. So she had around 100 backpacks left. After she delivered all those, she posted on FB that they needed masks and got FB friends to make them along with two of her staff who had sewing machines and gathered 50 in 2 days to get out to the families.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:
She is selfless and always thinks of others before herself and is brave beyond measure.

Thank you for all you do, Cece!

All photos included in this post are owned by identified third parties who have given Patch the right to use explicitly for the Patch Local Heroes series.

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