Robbie pictured on the right, with Kevin Rodriguez, left who is the house manager of the Patriot’s First House in Newark, NJ
Today we are shining a light on Robbie Donno. Robbie is currently the President of the Manhasset Rotary Club. In 2010-11 he served as District Governor for Rotary District 7250 which then consisted of all Rotary clubs in Brooklyn, Queens and Nassau County. He is also one of the founders of Gift of Life International, which is a Rotarian based program that provides lifesaving heart procedures for children all over the world. Although Robbie’s main focus is Gift of Life, through Rotary he became aware of the needs of Veterans. He wanted to expand the role of Rotary in support of Veterans when he was District Governor in 2010-11. He has always wanted to be involved in helping veterans. Through Lonnie, President of General Needs, Robbie now volunteers once a week, bringing food from a local Italian Restaurant to the Patriot’s First House in Newark. The Patriot’s First House houses 30 homeless veterans who are from all over the country.
“I made a good deal with the restaurant and the veterans are fed things like pasta and mussels, shrimp scampi over linguine, chicken parmigiana, always a salad of some kind and dessert. I don’t think they get a lot of food like that because they are lined up waiting for me every Wednesday.” “My travels overseas helping children through the Gift of Life has taught me that America is the best country in the world. I was in the Army Reserves during the Vietnam War. Even though I wasn’t in Vietnam, I served with guys who did go. I live with the freedom that I have because men and women put their lives on the line to protect that freedom, not only in Vietnam but in all the other conflicts. Because of their sacrifice, some of them came back in need of a helping hand. So, while I show up with food, the food is only part of the volunteering. Sitting down and talking to the guys is important. Showing them that someone cares is part of a mending process. There is genuine gratitude from those guys for the food and the company that comes along with it.” Robbie recalls a memory working with General Needs: “I had a couple of conversations with a guy named John from Georgia. He was enamored with the fact that I am in the solid waste business. He didn’t picture someone in my business wanting to help out. I kiddingly said “John, I am not buying the food. This stuff comes from the back of the truck!” He got a kick out of that. Every week that I showed up, John was first on line. That’s what I called him, “First On Line John”. Two weeks ago I went there and John had passed away in his sleep. Not Covid related, he just died. During the lock down of Covid-19, these guys are more alone than usual. A guy like John had so little, giving him a good meal, talking with him and putting a smile on his face is a big deal. A kindness given generates its own energy. All I know is that John was a good guy. What is the benefit of doing this? For one, you see the gratitude in their eyes. Secondly, you know that you are just doing the right thing. And, thirdly, who knows? Maybe when I cross the line from this life to the next, “First in Line” John will be there to greet me with a plate of Shrimp Scampi over linguine. If he is there, I will be glad to see him. I am thankful that Lonnie got me involved and that General Needs is helping those who gave so much of themselves for our country.”
