STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Borough President Vito Fossella honored longtime volunteer Linda Lo on Friday at Borough Hall for her decades of service and dedication to giving back and helping those in need across Staten Island.
Lo, a Graniteville resident, has spent more than 20 years volunteering at food pantries, soup kitchens and other charities across Staten Island, including Catholic Charities of Staten Island, Blue Star Families, New York Cares, and AmeriCorps Seniors. She was recently recognized by NY1 as “New Yorker of the Week” for her longtime commitment to serving others.
At the celebration, Fossella expressed his gratitude to Lo for her years of service and dedication to helping communities across Staten Island, saying he wanted to highlight her selflessness and commitment to others.
“Every time one person steps in, it makes a difference — and Linda, you have made a difference, and we say thank you,” Fossella said.
Linda Lo, Borough President Vito Fossella, nonprofit organization members, and friends pictured together at Lo’s celebration event on Friday at Borough Hall.Courtesy of Pete Trivelas of the Staten Island Borough President’s Office
Nonprofit leaders, friends, and family joined Lo at Borough Hall last week to celebrate her years of service. Her friends praised her for always stepping up when help was needed, calling her a “Linda of all volunteer trades” for her dedication to a wide range of causes across Staten Island.
Lo began volunteering over 20 years ago, before her retirement. She expressed how the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, sparked her journey to help others. This motivated her to find ways to give back beyond donating blood to victims and their families.
After 9/11, Lo wanted to continue volunteering, but was juggling a full-time job and raising her children. One day, she came across an article about the nonprofit Helping Hands and began volunteering once a month at the St. Edward’s food pantry in the Pleasant Plains community. She said she thoroughly enjoyed the experience and knew she wanted to continue helping others.
Since retiring, Lo volunteers several times a week at different organizations, dedicating more time to helping people in need across Staten Island. “It’s something that keeps you motivated,” she said, describing the joy she feels in giving back and the connections she has made within her community.
When asked why helping others is so important to her, Lo said it not only brings fulfillment, but also helps her stay active both mentally and physically. She noted that the physical labor involved in volunteering is especially beneficial for her as a diabetic.
Lo said she was shocked and overwhelmed by the recognition she received from Fossella. “I never thought something like this would happen,” she said. She said she hopes her recognition shows that anyone can volunteer and play an active role in their communities.
Lo encourages anyone who wants to start volunteering but isn’t sure where to begin to just take the first step and research different organizations.
She noted there are many ways to get involved, such as through New York Cares, helping individuals with their taxes through AARP, tutoring and teaching children at local organizations, and much more.
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