Supporting our covid heroes nationwide
Honoring Karen Carmello
Karen Carmello was a loving and dedicated mother, wife, and nurse. She worked at a nursing home in NY, dedicating her life to her patients.
She passed away after contracting COVID-19 on April 16, 2020, just 57 years old, leaving behind her loving husband Vincent and son Steven. Karen was Steven's world and the Frontline Hero volunteer team truly felt their loss.
Vincent is currently on dialysis, on the transplant list and is also visually impaired. Vincent stopped working when Karen died because he was overwhelmed by the fear that his son could be left with no parent in the world and potentially have to live in a group home.
His wish is to set up a special needs fund for his son to make sure he is taken care of no matter the circumstance, so the Frontline Hero Fund was able to grant the family $10,000 for their immediate financial needs and also partner with a law firm to donate services for ensuring Vincent's wishes for Steven can be legally binding.
In memory of Hero Tim Ali
Timanjin (Tim) Ali was 49 years old and worked as a nurse supervisor in a nursing home in Philadelphia. He was relentlessly committed to his patents, working almost every day, never wanting to quit on those who counted on him.
Tragically, Tim died only 4 days after experiencing the symptoms after contracting corona virus on the job. His daughter, Keysha and her kids (4 and 6 years old) were living at home and he was their greatest support.
Keysha has Lupus and was getting sicker, going in and out of the hospital so Tim moved the family to a new house to fit them all and was taking care of Keysha since she was going in for surgeries and was unable to work. Keysha is now on unemployment, food stamps, and social security. She is worried about how to pay the rent for the next few months after her father passed so the Frontline Hero Fund granted $10,000 of financial assistance as well as counseling services to the family.
Remembering Israel Tolentino
Israel "Izzy" Tolentino was 33 years old when he lost his battle with COVID-19. He is survived by his wife Maria and their 2 young children. His career was a lifelong dream, a firefighter who would also serve the community, a hero we are proud to honor.
He was deeply loved by everyone who knew him and described as a light in the room and wonderful friend. Well known to make everyone around him laugh and lighten the mood in any situation. His fire department honored his life with an amazing drive by of his house.
The Frontline Hero Fund provided his family with $10,000 of financial assistance, counselling and support.
Honoring Ben Reese
Ben Reese is 56 years old and lives in Webster, NY. He works long hours as a counselor for individuals with substance abuse issues at Helio Health and contracted COVID-19 on the job, leading to him being hospitalized for 42 days in the ICU, and on a ventilator for 12 days. Fortunately, he is one of the few to survive and was able to return home on May 8th, 2020. He is a husband and a father of 4 and his wife and daughter are living at home with him and are currently not working.
Ben won’t be able to go back to work for months as he has not regained his lung function yet. He is worried about paying his medical bills and is understandably behind on his own bills so the Frontline Hero fund provided his family with $5,000 to assist them in this time.
Ceda Williams - a dedicated healthcare worker
Ceda Williams was 59 years old and worked as a medical staff member at the Metro Jail in Mobile, AL. She had worked there for 10 years and was described as: “sassy, honest, and refreshing. Her smile was a lighthouse in a very dark place.”
She was adored by her medical and correctional teammates and respected by her inmate patients. She leaves behind two daughters, an autistic son, and grandchildren. Ceda’s husband had died of cancer a year ago and all of the families savings were used up on his treatments, medicine, and burial.
The Frontline Hero Fund granted her family $5,000 of financial assistance.
Hero Devin Dale Francis
Devin Dale Francis was a 44 year old Radiology Technician in Miami, Florida. He lost his battle with COVID-19 just 3 days after feeling symptoms. He and his fiancé, Micela, were due to be married on June 27, 2020. They have a 10 year old daughter, DeKayla.
The Frontline Hero Fund provided $10,000 of financial assistance.
Hero & Firefighter John Schoffstall
John was a firefighter and paramedic at the Terre Haute Fire Department in Indiana for 12 years. He was 41 years old when he passed away on Easter Sunday from COVID-19 after contracting it in the line of duty. He leaves behind his wife, Jennifer, and his two teenage children, Jake and Jaidyn. John was a loving husband and father, and was a hero in his community. Many people relied on him and his sunny disposition to get them through their hardships. He was described as an exemplary family man, consummate fire service professional, and hero.
The Frontline Hero Fund provided $5,000 of financial assistance.
Hero Jennifer Anderson Davis
Jennifer Anderson Davis was a 44 year old licensed practicing nurse at Meramac Bluffs Nursing Home in St. Louis Missouri. She contracted Covid-19 from one of the patients and died at home from complications. She was a single parent and left behind 3 kids – 16, 19, 24. Bailey (19) developed pneumonia and spent 4 days in the hospital. Then the oldest, Brittany, had pneumonia and has recently recovered.
The Frontline Hero Fund awarded them $5,000 in financial assistance to enable them to move back to their hometown to be closer to family.
Remembering José Ramón Tapanes Mondeja
José Ramón Tapanes Mondeja was from North Bergen, NJ. He passed away at 48 years old, on April 22, 2020. José had been The top pediatric surgeon in Cuba but when he moved to the US, he had to start all over again and went to nursing school to be a surgical nurse.
Jose had been suffering from COVID-19 and pneumonia for 6 weeks, and was then transferred to the ICU for 11 days before passing away.
Frontline Hero Fund granted Jose's wife Maria and her family $10,000 to help them in this difficult time.
Marjorie Surin's Story
Our first grant recipient is a patient technician at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Florida who contracted COVID-19 on the job and was hospitalized with pneumonia. She is also a single mother and sole provider for her three children, two of whom also contracted COVID-19.
The Frontline Hero fund provided Marjorie and her family $5,000 of financial assistance.
Possible because of you!
Our support of heroes and their families is only possible because of your donations. Become a donor today!