Volunteer Spotlight
Why We Love Volunteering with General Needs
Margaret Bender
Margaret Bender is the blanket chair for General Needs. She also assists with distributions. For Margaret, it all started with a yarn drive to make blankets for vets. Margaret volunteers with General Needs because she loves the vets. Her father and grandfather are veterans. She believes that we all hit rock bottom at some point in our lives and we all need an opportunity to start over.
Some of Margaret’s favorite memories are the BBQs at Bayshore and the family atmosphere that they created. She enjoys giving the vet that came in with nothing, the basic necessities and knowing that “the little bag we give you don’t realize how far it truly goes.”
Margaret appreciates the relationship building with vets when you first meet them. She remembers setting up the Christmas tree and initially the veterans didn’t want to participate, but by the end they were hanging up ornaments.
Another memory that Margaret has is when a vet had dental work. The vet was unable to eat the food that they brought so she went out to get mashed potatoes so he would have something to eat. The vet is still grateful to her when she sees the vet.
Overall, Margaret volunteers with General Needs because she likes to help them start a new chapter in their lives.
Savina Indelicato
Savina Indelicato, a Rotary Club member, started volunteering with General Needs to help out with Christmas distributions. She joined after hearing Lonnie speak at a Rotary Club meeting, noting that he had great passion for the work that he was doing and she knew she wanted to be a part. She knows the bravery that our veterans have and believes that they all should be treated much better than they are right now, so she volunteers to give back. Her favorite memory was when she participated in a food distribution in Yaphank and was able to speak to the veterans and hear their stories. She was delighted that her work was as important to them as it was to her. She continues to be inspired by Lonnie and Susan’s passion for our veterans and wants to continue to give back and be thankful.
Susan Sherman
Susan Sherman, Co-Founder and Secretary of General Needs Ltd, wears many hats. While Lonnie works as the face of General Needs, she acts as the behind-the-scenes administrator of General Needs. When Lonnie first started volunteering at the Northport VA serving meals, he began to speak to the veterans he served, he was asked for underwear. After delivering underwear to these veterans, he quickly became known as the “underwear guy.” After doing multiple deliveries of underwear and socks, they’ve grown and evolved to follow veterans through their journey.
After starting General Needs, Susan noticed how other non-profits would donate, dumping used clothing from garbage bags onto a table for veterans to sort through. This lack of respect for the people other nonprofits were serving made her want to differentiate General Needs into an organization that emphasizes “Distribution with Dignity,” always making sure to distribute new clothes, pre-sorted by size. She also notes that these are not hand-outs, but hand-ups.
Susan’s favorite memories since starting General Needs have been the community barbecues at the Northport VA. Friday evenings in the summer, they would have gatherings with food, music, and even an ice cream truck. They would invite donors, friends, and veterans to all eat together and enjoy themselves. To Susan, it never felt like a volunteer event, but a community block party. She hopes to get back to doing these once the pandemic is over.
Susan is most proud of General Needs’ evolution. Since beginning as an organization that serves veterans in only emergency centers, they have grown to accompany every veteran on Long Island throughout their transition to having a home. From processing bed referrals for new full sizes beds to be supplied and delivered throughout the NY Tri-State area. In 2020, General Needs supplied 54 beds as well as over 4000 meals during COVID from local restaurants. General Needs is always striving to do more for the veterans they serve.
Dave Barry
Dave Barry, a 14-year-veteran and TD Bank Executive, serves as a volunteer and relationship builder for General Needs. He and his family are active in the community, serving veterans as well as multiple other causes they’re passionate about, such as autism awareness. He is especially enthusiastic, however, about serving veterans because he knows that the work that General Needs does is so vital to homeless veterans.
His favorite memories with General Needs include the veterans benefit concert and other events that they organized with TD Bank. He looks forward to being able to get back to having joint events with TD Bank and General Needs again. He likes to volunteer, support, and see the amazing work that everyone puts into for such a good cause. He says that the work that everyone puts in makes him want to “up his game” and do more to serve his community. Dave’s work with General Needs has been incredible and he has contributed a lot in his time with us.
Nancy Moffett
Nancy Moffett, a Kiwanian, met Lonnie a few years ago at a presentation he did for her chapter. She was instantly sold and knew that she wanted to become a part of General Needs. Assisting veterans is a cause that is near and dear to her heart, because her father served in World War II and her uncles served as well. She’s participated in honor flights in Washington DC in the past. When she first joined General Needs, she worked on multiple distributions throughout the area, and found fulfillment in the camaraderie she developed with fellow volunteers and the folks she served. Over the past year, she’s served as the recording secretary for General Needs. Her most memorable experience was a year ago at the Dennison Building at a distribution when she saw a man walk up to her with tears in his eyes, thanking her and General Needs for making a difference in his life. Moments like these struck Nancy and makes her whole experience volunteering with General Needs worth it. Nancy’s work with General Needs is much appreciated!
Linda Azzara
Linda Azzara, an accountant by trade, serves as the treasurer of General Needs. She’s served as treasurer of multiple PTA organizations in the past, and wanted to continue serving as a treasurer after her children graduated from school.
She went to an event at the VA for a healing garden and met Lonnie and Susan who were painting, immediately feeling like she was included in General Needs. She feels called to serve because she wants to be involved in her community and give back. She participates in multiple distributions along with her role as treasurer.
Her favorite memory with General Needs was at the Bayshore House a few months ago at a distribution when they set two gentlemen up with everything they needed when they showed up having had nothing to their names. Linda’s work with General Needs has been instrumental to our success.
