Army Of 'Angels' On A Mission To Vaccinate Somerset County Folks

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — It started as a scramble to try and find COVID-19 vaccine appointments for their loved ones and has since expanded into an army of "angels" working to get Somerset County locals vaccinated.

Stacey Katz Friedlander, a Bridgewater resident and one of the founders of the Vaccine Angels, said she noticed early on how difficult it was for the most vulnerable to land a vaccination appointment.

Friedlander began talking with friends about forming a network to help get their loved ones' appointments. This then led to helping out congregants at their places of worship and now has expanded to forming the Vaccine Angels and helping anyone in the local community.

"We started this group because more than anything, we want to help protect our community and the best way to do that is to ensure its most vulnerable citizens are protected first," said Jennifer Feigley, one of the Vaccine Angels members.

The angels are completely volunteer-run with about 32 volunteers from the Bridgewater and surrounding area.

They are parents. They work full-time and part-time jobs. Some are college professors, social workers, school board members, council candidates — and yet they are dedicating their time at all hours of the day or night to getting local residents a COVID-19 vaccination appointment.

"Recently I learned from a conversation I had with my Rabbi that he said, 'Saving a life is one of the greatest mitzvahs someone, especially a Jewish person, can do.'" said Friedlander. "Whatever role the volunteers are playing in the Vaccine Angels — whether its booking appointments, driving seniors to appointments, calling for them — is all part of saving that life. Because ultimately it ends with that person being vaccinated."

The Vaccine Angels have set up a form for residents and teachers to fill out to get on the list for volunteers to find them an appointment. As of Tuesday, the Vaccine Angels has helped 1,359 people get vaccinated with 186 scheduled with an appointment.

"We just want people's faith to be restored," said Friedlander. "We want people to feel safe again."

Friedlander held back tears as she talked about a grandmother she was able to help. The grandma was unable to hug or see her grandchild for the past 11 months.

"You don't realize what COVID has done to some people. We have become their angels. Legitimately their saviors," said Friedlander.

For questions or to become a volunteer email vaccineangels21@gmail.com. Or to register to get help with an appointment from the Vaccine Angels, visit tinyurl.com/VaccineAngels21 for the public and tinyurl.com/VaccineAngelsTeachers for teachers.

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