'Provided A Port In A Storm': Summit Hero

SUMMIT, NJ — 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 Mary Higgins, who nominated neighbor May Fridel of Summit. Higgins says that when there's trouble in Summit and no one else can help, Fridel, a professional chef, has reached out time and time again, particularly during the recent power outages caused by storms.

Higgins has lived near May for more than 20 years.

Name: May Fridel

Town: Summit

Hero's job: Passion for Spices Cooking Camp

Relationship to nominee: Neighbor

Reason for recognition: No power in Summit for six days.

One thing to know: "No power in Summit for six days during quarantine and damaging storm. My nearly 90-year-old legally blind mother-in-law was staying with us. May got a generator on Route 22, hooked it up. May provided a port in storm for elderly, compromised, overwhelmed, asthmatic."

Submitter name: Mary Higgins

Higgins further explained, "May was so resourceful during Sept. 11, Hurricane Sandy, and recently the power outages of the last hurricane. My 90-year-old mother-in-law stays with us. With the power outage, no air conditioning, we had to relocate her to a relative's home that had power." May offered to drive her.

Fridel has helped many more people in Summit.

"With neighbors who have nebulizers and electronics needing power, May was a port in the storm," Higgins wrote. "May went to Route 22 and purchased a generator and invited neighbors in to power up and use their nebulizers for breathing. The Summit power up station, due to quarantine, was outside. Closed because of rain. May was the only one to reach out."

Higgins said May, a chef and educator, does all this while taking care of her elderly mother and cooking healthy food for the homebound and sick.

"May inspires children to learn about world's best food," Higgins wrote. "May is a supporter of farm to table. Shares her knowledge and bounty with all. May is a generous and welcoming neighbor. She cares and considers all family. Thank you for considering neighbor May for your great honor. We are grateful for May and the Fridel family."

Higgins said May doesn't know she's being nominated. "She is very humble," she said.

Thank you for all you do, May Fridel!

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

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