Ranney Sophomores, Sonia Gazi and Madison Mazza Organize Efforts to Help Front Line Health Care Workers Fight the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Lakewood, NJ

Despite all its devastating effects, the novel corona virus has galvanized individuals and has brought forth inspiring stories of the community mobilizing to offer support in the battle against the pandemic. One such inspirational story involves Sonia Gazi and Madison Mazza, Sophomores (Class of 2022) at the Ranney School in Tinton Falls, New Jersey.

Sonia and Madison were aware that front line health care workers are facing the highest risk, especially in light of early evidence strongly linking the vulnerability of front-line health care workers to the national shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

“We are all in this together. Madison and I saw an opportunity to help protect the Hospital workers. We knew we had to do whatever we could.” Sonia Gazi – Daughter of Mukaram Gazi, MD, FACS, the Chairperson of Surgery and Chief of Urology at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus and founding member of UUANJ.

Sonia and Madison set forth and successfully modeled and executed a homegrown solution to play their part in the collective battle against COVID-19 by using the following three-prong strategy:

• Leverage the robust technical abilities of local hobbyist William “Bill” Bonner to have 500 face shields fabricated out of sheets of plastic.
• Tap into the expertise and skills of the very capable Sewing Warriors of the Princeton Lions Club to have 100 washable face masks sewn.
• Work with Oldbridge Pharmacy to continue their strong tradition of serving the community by donating hand sanitizer.

Sonia and Madison’s efforts went to help the healthcare workers at ICU and Critical Care Unit at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus as they are at the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19.

“Sending healthcare workers to care for critically ill COVID-19 patients without PPE is akin to sending soldiers to war without armor. I am so proud of these girls and impressed by Bill and the Sewing Warriors for their hard work and dedication.” Moazam Gazi – CEO UUANJ.