Retired Teacher Makes Masks For Others: West Haven Hero

WEST HAVEN, CT — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. Together with Ring, we're working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Fred Rubino, who nominated his wife Gail D. Pells of West Haven. She is a retired teacher who relearned how to sew to make and give away masks to family, friends and her local church.

Name: Gail D. Pells

Hometown: West Haven

Hero's job: Other

If other, job: Retired English Teacher

Submitter name: Fred Rubino

Relationship to nominee: My wife

Reason for recognition: Gail took it upon herself to relearn how to sew in order to make and give away masks to family, friends and her local church (UMC). She hasn't sewn since making crude costumes for her children 30+ years ago, and before that, 55 years ago in junior high.

One thing to know: Not content to merely throw a face covering together, she researched CDC and other guidelines to come up with a safer design using 2 layers of cotton and 1 of PP and would not charge a penny to anyone, incl. postage.

>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here. Read about other heroes from across Connecticut here.

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