24 Aug Closets by Design Donates $60,000 in Closet Makeovers to Essential Workers
Closets by Design is thrilled to announce we have donated $60,000 in closet makeovers to essential workers across the country to show our appreciation for their hard work and sacrifice during this COVID-19 pandemic.
It started when we announced a contest asking people to nominate an essential worker to win a $5,000 custom closet makeover.
Many of our owners were so excited about giving back to this hugely important group of people, that they wanted to ensure a local winner was selected and honored in their market – so they decided to generously match the national prize giveaway.
So instead of just one winner – 12 amazing essential workers will now receive a closet makeover of their dreams.
Meet Our Essential Worker Winners!
From the people working in hospitals and grocery stores, on farms and in meatpacking plants, essential workers everywhere have been making huge sacrifices, putting in long hours during the pandemic, continuing to go to work and potentially placing themselves in danger. They haven’t had the time to work on projects around the house like the rest of us. These custom closet giveaways celebrate the sacrifices they have made during this tough time.
Here is a little bit about each of our winners.
Ashley Cisneros
Ashley Cisneros is a surgical nurse and mother of four who has been working on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic in San Antonio, Texas. She specializes in working with special needs children and adults to prepare them for surgical procedures. Watch as Ashley learns she won a closet makeover.
Becky Kovack
Becky Kovack, a nurse at Rush Copley Medical Center, is one of two winners in the Chicago area. We have two franchise locations in the Windy City. Both owners stepped up to surprise an essential worker. This mother of three boys is in charge of the COVID-19 testing tent. Check out this video of a suspicious Becky learning she won. Our favorite line – “I thought you did something illegal”.
Jackie Convey
Our second Chicago winner is Jackie Convey. Not only is she a wife and mother of three children, but she works directly with COVID-19 patients daily at Lutheran General Hospital, one of a few Trauma Level 1 hospitals in Illinois. Furthermore, she has done all this while helping one of her children battle cancer. As you’ll see in this video, Jackie was quite surprised when Closets by Design showed up at her door.
Dr. Ala Stanford
Dr. Ala Stanford in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania spent her own money to rent a van, purchase supplies, and then recruited doctors and nurses to bring mobile COVID-19 testing those who did not otherwise have access. Check out this picture of the team from Closets by Design Southeast Pennsylvania surprising Dr. Stanford with the news.
Amanda Tomlinson
Amanda Tomlinson, a nurse practitioner and mother of two in Jacksonville, Florida is also married to an essential worker. Her husband is a paramedic and firefighter. With recent furloughs, she is working longer hours with less support and more patients, most of whom are critically ill COVID positive. Amanda appeared on the local news to describe how it felt to learn she won the closet of her dreams.
Jessica Massey
A coworker nominated Jessica Massey, an emergency room nurse and new mom in Raleigh, North Carolina. Jessica has worked diligently & professionally as a staff nurse, preceptor, charge nurse & educator during flu seasons and now with COVID-19. Click here to see what happened when Closets by Design of Raleigh showed up on Jessica’s doorstep.
Lily Clark
Amazed with her stamina and grace under stress, a neighbor nominated Lily Clark of Palm City, Florida. Lily is a nurse who is not only working hard to take care of the influx of Covid-19 patients but her own children who have developmental needs, including autism. Lily’s neighbor had the pleasure of letting her know she won – click here to see her reaction.
LeSteshia Ekeocha
LeSteshia Ekeocha, a nurse practitioner and mom in Arlington, Texas was nominated by her husband who wrote, “she not only dedicates so much of herself to our family, but she gives so much of herself to her job. She serves the underprivileged community in Southeast Dallas. She is so passionate about caring and advocating for women with economic hardships.” LeSteshia was shocked to learn she won – see for yourself.
Somerlyn Harrington
Somerlyn Harrington is a clinical lab technician in Pensacola, Florida who is working hard to keep up with the overwhelming amount of Covid-19 testing. This mom of two young children has been working 12-hour night shifts to keep up with the demand. Watch as local TV crews came along with Closets by Design of Pensacola to surprise her with a new closet.
Kerryn Reeve
Occupational therapist Kerryn Reeve of Boston, Massachusetts had to postpone her wedding due to the pandemic. She is not only doing her job, but she is also pitching in to help nurses take care of the onslaught of Covid-19 patients. Her mother who nominated her described Kerryn as “selfless.” Kerryn and her mom were having lunch when Closets by Design showed up to serve her some good news. Click to watch.
Alexa Hudgins
While the contest was still ongoing, a TV station in Atlanta asked if they could help us surprised a local winner. We introduced them to Alexa Hudgins, who recently graduated from nursing school when she was thrust into an unprecedented start to her career in healthcare. She thought she was just going to be interviewed about being nominated for the contest by her mom – watch as the reporter revealed the real reason.
Debbie Romain
In Detroit, Closets by Design was able to surprise Debbie Romain, a nurse practitioner, with the good news on her birthday. During the pandemic, This wife and mother of three made a point of personally calling her patients to check on them, sending cards to cheer them up and even dropping off their medicines on their doorstep! Look what happened when Closets by Design showed up on her doorstep.
Congratulations to all our winners and thank you again for all you do.