Houghtling Named Hometown Hero
In the wake of COVID-19 and recent events fighting racism and inequity, Tiffany & Co. has developed the “Tiffany Hometown Heroes” program as a way to recognize and celebrate some of the Heroes that have emerged in local communities. Through the program, Tiffany employees nominate someone who has made a significant positive impact in their local community during these challenging times. The person can work in any profession or capacity, from front line healthcare workers or anti-racism activists. They can be someone who helped their neighbors, rallied volunteers, advocated for diversity and inclusion or otherwise supported their community needs in extraordinary and creative ways.
Tiffany & Co. is very excited to recognize New Lebanon Town Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling as a Tiffany Hometown Hero. Supervisor Houghtling was nominated by Abbie Shoobs.
Tistrya’s Nomination Story
Tistrya took office in January, after being town clerk for years. She has three young children. Everything she did, she did while also homeschooling.
Tistrya organized and rallied the town to keep us all safe. She had people making masks and mask attachers (Abbie included) people doing drug store and grocery runs and delivering to the elderly, the homebound and those quarantining. She provided businesses and residents with free hand sanitizer from NYS, with volunteers delivering hand sanitizer, masks and groceries right to people’s doors.
She fundraised to make sure the town could help people who couldn’t afford supplies. She made sure that those who couldn’t shop themselves were shopped for and if they couldn’t afford their groceries, they were paid for by the grocery fund. She continued to email frequent all-town updates. I don’t think she slept until May, there’s no way she had the time.
The Eastwick Press spoke to Ms. Houghtling about the award. She told us “I am extremely honored and humbled to be recognized by Tiffany & Co. as a hometown hero! A huge thank you to all of the volunteers who worked tirelessly making masks, delivering sanitizer and masks to people’s homes and going grocery shopping and running errands for their fellow community members! Although I started many of these programs and ran them, it truly took a village and I want to recognize all the hard work that the volunteers put in to make it all happen! It really does take a village and I am so honored to be part of ours!”