Basking Ridge-Area Moms Create 'Signs Of Hope' To Support Heroes

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — In an effort to thank all of the health care workers fighting the new coronavirus pandemic, Basking Ridge-area moms have launched a fast-growing grassroots initiative called "Signs Of Hope."

The lawn signs are flooding local neighborhoods to show support for doctors, nurses, EMT workers and other front-line staff during these unprecedented times.

"The inspiration for this initiative came as I looked for a way to thank my close friend and her 24-year-old daughter, both Morristown Memorial Hospital nurses," said Basking Ridge resident Bonnie Graziano. "They were both placed in the COVID-19 unit to help with the pandemic."

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about the new coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Graziano, whose family owns Capital Craft in Green Brook and East Hanover, teamed up with Erika Desimone of Bernardsville, who does marketing for the restaurant, to launch the initiative.

"I jumped at the opportunity to join Bonnie in building this because I knew our skills together could create something amazing," Desimone said. "The response from people has been beyond overwhelming. We're getting dozens of orders every hour."

The mission soon spread outside of the Somerset Hills communities, where hundreds of signs have been placed on residential lawns and businesses. Tara DiTore, a Whippany resident and high school friend of Desimone, asked if she could participate. Then, Jennifer Gallo of Mendham also agreed to spearhead the initiative in her neighborhoods.

"While most of us are feeling powerless as we comply with social distancing, home schooling and mitigation efforts, we realized we can uplift spirits if we flood our neighborhoods with Signs Of Hope during these trying times," Desimone said. "These beautiful lawn signs display our gratitude to those tirelessly working the front lines of this pandemic, and hopefully give them a much needed boost as they travel to and from long shifts."

To date, nearly 550 signs have been ordered by residents and businesses. Organizers also have received generous donations above and beyond the cost of the signs, and those funds are being used to support struggling restaurants, which will deliver food to staff at Morristown Hospital.

"This amazing program has showed how quickly we can join together and empower each other with a small gesture of gratitude to the selfless heroes in our local communities," Desimone said.

Desimone hopes to continue to expand this effort in more communities across New Jersey.

"We're a small army, but we’re doing really big things," Desimone said.

For information on the signs, to make a donation, or to kickstart this effort in another local community, email signsofhopeNJ@gmail.com.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.