'Her Heart Is Bigger Than The World': Bridgewater Hero

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — 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 April Thompson of Bound Brook, who nominated her cousin Jessica Maffei of Bridgewater:

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

What does the nominee do for work?:
Lab technician

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
Her role in the epidemic today, is inspecting the drugs that help all patients with the virus. She works at Quva Pharma, a pharmaceutical company. Jessica sacrificed her life at home, her time with her daughter and family, to help produce these drugs six days a week and up to 12 hour shifts a day.

As exhausted as she may be, she makes a difference each and everyday to these patients across America, all hospitals and clinics on need. While doing this, she also helps out her fellow elderly neighbors as well. Jessica never skips a beat. Her heart is bigger than the world! Even though her job says thank you for pushing and for being a huge role in this epidemic, she deserves more. The one day a week she has to rest, she literally gets up at only four hours of sleep to make it to stores like Walmart to get her own essentials for home and for her elderly neighbors, then comes home to cook, clean, do laundry and many more things as a home owner and mother needs to do, to play catch up from the week past.

Jessica has always had a big huge heart, always helped others in need her whole life, even in her own times when, like others have their own battles and are down, she still gives and never looks at a handout or for help. Jessica like many other women and people in general, is a hero in disguise. No Cape, no eye mask, or those funny tights, just those scrubs and her own funny mouth mask she wears each day to put a smile on just about everyone's face she passes.

Jessica always touches someone's heart, even soul. No matter what day or time, her spirits always at a high, putting people first and never herself. Wish I myself can organize a parade and a banner that says THANK YOU for All You Do!! I pray one day Jessica will be rewarded back for her sacrifices she makes everyday and is shown in such a way, that the tears that fall from her face, will be with joy and embrace the love and appreciation we all will give her.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:
Jessica always sacrifices, puts people first, before herself. Always, Jessica gives the shirt off her back to help those in need, even if she's down herself. She has a huge heart, and touches everyone else's heart she comes to contact with.

Thank you for all you do, Jessica!

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

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