Broadway Across America and Overture Center shine a light on essential workers in our community
Overture Center in collaboration with Broadway Across America has announced five winners of its “Nominate a Star Contest,” shining a spotlight on essential workers in our community.
In October, Broadway at Overture, presented by American Family Insurance, ran a social media campaign inviting nominations of local stars (nurses, doctors, first responders, teachers, grocery workers, delivery drivers or others working hard to help us all) who have gone above and beyond for the community. After reviewing more than 40 nominees, the five winners were selected based on their contribution to the community and the compelling nature of their story.
“It’s heartwarming to hear how so many wonderful people are stepping up to help in these challenging times,” said Tim Sauers, Overture’s VP of programming and community engagement. “We’re pleased to share their stories and recognize their amazing efforts. They are truly heroes.”
The following winners will receive four tickets to an upcoming show when Broadway returns to Overture Center.
• Tony Hornung, Madison: A state employee with the Department of Administration/Records department, Tony’s duties were shifted to COVID relief. Starting last April, he and his team members were called upon to deliver Remdesivir and COVID-19 test kits to locations all over the state, from Green Bay to Platteville. They were often called upon at the last minute, and sometimes those trips turned into 12-hour days, but all items were delivered correctly, on time, for facilities that needed them.
• Molly Jasper, Madison: Molly is a UW Health ultrasound technician who was redeployed in March to screen for COVID-19. She’s a single mom (partner died seven years ago) who sent her daughters to their grandma’s house for six months, so she could do this risky, heartbreaking work. Molly has sponsored at least four families via Madison Neighbors Helping Neighbors during the pandemic,providing food, clothing, household items and friendship.
• Gary Reynolds, Madison: Gary Reynolds is a chaplain at both Meriter and UW hospitals. At age 82, he brings a smile of empathy and encouragement, a warm conversation and a prayer of comfort to the sick, the scared, the grieving and the dying whenever he’s called on and any time of day or night. He faithfully risks his own health to bring comfort where it is sorely needed.
• Stacy Schrimpf, Madison: From the onset of the COVID crisis, nurse Stacy has been a member of the team staffing UW Hospital’s COVID ward. Stacy’s compassion for her patients was evident when she was interviewed by a local TV channel early on in the crisis to show the efforts required by nursing staff in putting on PPE and preparing for work. Stacy demonstrated this carefully, while speaking about how challenging it was to see COVID patients struggling because no loved ones could be with them. While working diligently at her UW position, Stacy also earned an additional degree at Edgewood College this spring. Stacy’s work includes caring for her two young sons, ages 7 and 9.
• Clare Vanden Hogen, Appleton: Clare is an activity assistant at a nursing home in Appleton. At 62, she has more energy for working with her residents than most children. During the pandemic, she has continued to bring her sunshine personality to her residents, bringing horses to visit their windows, calling bingo over the loudspeaker and holding their hands when they miss their family. She is truly amazing and anyone she meets is changed by her joy.
