JEREMY GULISH – FOUNDER OF MASKS FOR MORRISTOWN

Fate brought Jeremy Gulish to become involved in COVID-19 community outreach efforts. As a Morristown resident, business owner and Morris School District parent, he has several friends and clients who work at Morristown Medical Center and both of his daughters were delivered there. He had been hearing that obtaining Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was an issue at the hospital as it was throughout the country. In passing, his neighbor Michael Morris, mentioned that he was working on procuring PPE as his lighting company, Durabrite, manufactures in China and was one of the few with access to masks and gloves.

His initial goal was to be a liaison for the Hospital to get access to the supplies needed. They soon realized that the Hospital would not purchase supplies that were not from approved vendors, however, the PPE would be used if it was donated. Understanding that immediate need as their approved vendor supplies had been mostly exhausted, they decided raising funds to purchase the PPE on their own to donate would be the quickest and most effective way to protect the frontline doctors and nurses.

With the initial goal to raise $10,000 via GoFundMe, they launched the Masks for Morristown campaign the evening of March 20. When he checked the page before the end of the night, they were halfway to the goal. At that point, Jeremy knew the community was passionate and would support the campaign. From there they increased the goal by $10,000 increments.

Leveraging his Facebook connections, hyper local groups including Morristown Helps and I Love Morristown! as well as contacts on Instagram, they quickly created awareness throughout the community. After sharing posts online, they would almost systematically see a rise in donations. The GoFundMe page was shared nearly 4,000 times. Jeremy knew the viral effect had taken hold when neighboring communities began contacting him to see how they could do the same to support their local medical professionals, which resulted in helping to set up several similar campaigns in the State as well as a campaign in West Chester, NY and Columbus, Ohio.

Including donations outside of GoFundMe, they were able to raise almost $45,000 from more than 570 individual donors. As a result of their efforts, they purchased and donated roughly 35,000 KN95 and surgical masks, a few thousand face shields and some gowns.

He believes their success was driven by the heightened emotions and feelings of uncertainty experienced by most at the start of the campaign. The locality of the effort was the other driver. As a member of the community, residents likely know someone working at the hospital, delivered or visited a child born there, or spent time there as a patient. Knowing the money being contributed may directly help someone you know makes a huge difference.

“In many ways, I think living through the chaos of the pandemic stripped us to our core and put a spotlight on what is most important in life: our health, relationships and kindness,” said Jeremy Gulish. “I’m humbled by the compassion and care that I’ve witnessed and am more thankful every day to be able to call Morristown home.”

Jeremy works as Team Leader of The Gulish Group at Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan in Morristown, with his wife, Christina. They are also both involved with Homeless Solutions Inc., where he serves on the Young Professionals Advisory Council and Christina has been a committee member for their annual Women’s Day event.

He is also a proud father to his two daughters attending schools in the Morris School District; Eliana (9 yrs old – Thomas Jefferson) and Alexandra (7 yrs old – Woodland). Christina has been a class mom nearly every year and Jeremy has been fortunate to tag along to enjoy many school activities.

Jeremy is another hometown hero – who like many – was following stay at home orders, but felt compelled to do something to make a difference locally and stop the spread of COVID-19. If you are interested in staying up-to-date on these and other community news spotlights, join Morristown Colonial Nation by clicking here!