Hometown Hero: 'Superwoman' Mom and Nurse Practitioner

SAYVILLE, NY — 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 Joelle Hawkes, who nominated a fellow local mom, Nicole Boeckel, whose daughter goes to school with her son. In addition, the Sayville resident works as a nurse practitioner and volunteers in her spare time.

She is an amazing mother with 2 children with special needs, she is a Nurse Practioner working with patients needing to be intubated and works overnights so she can be around for her family and she volunteers as a catechist at our church to help our children," Hawkes said of Boeckel. "Nicole is a superwoman and always healthy, friendly and smiling; she is truly the best."

Thank you for all you do Nicole Boeckel!

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