Volunteer Spotlight
Why We Love Volunteering with General Needs
Arnold Quaranta
Arnold is the District Trainer and former District Governor of Rotary District 7260. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he volunteered for General Needs, where he would pick up meals every Friday from Ronkonkoma and deliver them to two different veteran shelters in Bayshore. When asked why he chose to volunteer for General Needs, he said, “I have been involved with Lonnie and Sue when they first came into Rotary around six years ago. After watching them go to different homeless shelters and supply veterans with clothing and food, I realized that General Needs was something I was interested in getting involved with.”
Arnold’s most special experience with General Needs was with his daughter. His daughter worked for the Salvation Army in Riverhead, and she decided to drive cross-country from Long Island to help out a particular family, but she needed some help of her own. She called Arnold and then Arnold called Lonnie and Sue about helping that one family. Within 48 hours, they all equipped the family’s entire apartment with new furniture and supplies. They brought beds, sheets, microwaves and other items for the mother and her two kids. Arnold said that it was an amazing experience to be a part of.
Rotary Club of the Ronkonkomas
Louis Scotti
Dr. Louis Scotti is a member of the Ronkonkoma Rotary Club and the director of the Michael P. Murphy Run Around the Lake, a yearly charity run in honor of Navy Seal Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy that funds a major portion of the General Needs budget. Louis has been involved with the event for the last twenty years, helping raise over $250,000 towards worthy causes, including General Needs.
“I believe in General Needs’ mission. I think we owe our veterans a large debt of gratitude, and it is our obligation to take care of them and make sure they are doing well. When I saw what Lonnie and Sue Sherman had started, I was on board to help out. Their cause is great and is needed, so I wanted to support that in any way that I could.”
Not only has Louis helped sponsor General Needs, but he has also volunteered as a helper in giving out food and supplies and doing medical exams. He has a background in podiatry, so he performed foot exams and checked the veterans’ sizing for their shoes.
Louis’ most touching memory was when he once attended a General Needs Christmas party at the Brooklyn Veterans Hospital and noticed a couple cars full of coats and shoes for the veterans: “Seeing how genuinely grateful the veterans were that someone cared about them had such a strong impact on me.”
Kathy Gibson
Kathy Gibson has been with Rotary since 1991, and has served as the governor of their district in 2003 and 2004. Kathy has had a very positive experience working with General Needs, and is very happy to be able to work with Lonnie and his team. She has helped in distributions and enjoys working with the veterans. We asked her why she continues to work with General Needs: “The sincerity of the group. This is my small opportunity to pay back and it is a pleasure working with them. It is amazing work they are doing.”
Patriot First Professional Services Inc
Keven Rodriguez
Keven is the director of operations at the Patriot First Professional Services Inc, a for profit Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. Currently, they run three temporary housing shelters for homeless veterans in New York and New Jersey. The staff works with the veterans to find them permanent housing solutions, as well as provide veterans at their sites with food, security, and case management services.
“General Needs has been a valuable partner in our efforts to help the veterans at our sites. Many of the residents lack proper clothing, footwear, and basic hygiene supplies. Although we try to accommodate each veteran, our resources are limited. General Needs has stepped in and provided our residents with the things they lack. The staff at General Needs is extremely dedicated to serving veterans in need, and work tirelessly in their efforts. I have seen first hand the impact they have had on the veterans we house.”
Keven has also mentioned that often, after a visit from General Needs, his residents will go out of their way to let their staff know how grateful and happy they are for the things that General Needs supplies. Keven recalls a time one resident was very happy to receive sneakers from General Needs.
“I am incredibly grateful for General Needs, especially during the time of COVID-19. They were able to help us with masks, hand sanitizers and meals through all that is going on.”
Robbie Donno
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.”
Veteran R.Z.
Today we are shining a light on Veteran R.Z., a Vietnam veteran who was originally in a homeless shelter. He had a great experience with the General Needs team and decided to join them. He recalls a time in the shelter where General Needs brought big events with families, dinners and clothing. They created something that everyone was excited about and looked forward to. “I was SO impressed with the group of people that came, it was almost surreal that people had such compassion and outpouring of love. They made us very proud recipients. I found they were absolutely genuine and filled with happiness that they could help us.” Since then Veteran R.Z. has been trying to help raise money, create contacts, and help in donations and distributions. He has since found a nice place to work and would like to continue to be involved in General Needs in his life going forward. “General Needs is a stellar group of angels here on earth. There are not enough superlatives to describe them. Just the very best.”
