The desire to help others was instilled in Jo Leary at a young age. When she was a child, Leary would go out with her mother to visit some of the older adults in her neighborhood. They’d check on these friends (some of whom were younger than her mother) to make...
A broken elevator and nine flights of stairs in the summer would be a deterrent to some people. Not to Linda Vieira, who week after week made sure her Meals on Wheels recipients still received their daily lunch, a wellness check, and a smile. “Some of them told me to...
What do you get when you take a foster kid from Everett, put him in the Air Force, and send him to Germany where he develops a passion for the martial arts? You get Larry Giordano, a person filled with discipline, respect, and a strong sense of civic duty. His...
Jackie Stern's journey into advocacy took root years ago, inspired by a personal experience while living in Pennsylvania. Faced with a medical emergency requiring an ambulance, she was taken aback when the subsequent bill deemed her situation non-emergent, leaving her...
Maxa Schutzbank Berid, 81, has explored the vastness of our world with an unwavering passion. Her travels have taken her to exotic destinations such as Tibet, Bhutan, and much of Africa. From traversing European landscapes to hiking mountains in the Annapurna Circuit,...
When Glenn Stewart embarked on his post-retirement journey in 2003, he had no intention of becoming just another runner. He aspired to be the very best, not only in his personal running achievements but also in making a positive impact on his community. A...
For more than 17 years, older adults in Georgetown have counted on Colleen Ranshaw-Fiorello to do the right thing, and time after time she delivered. In her role as the town’s Council on Aging director, Ranshaw-Fiorello has built relationships, built programs,...
It’s safe to say Rhina Espaillat, a self-proclaimed Trekkie, has lived long and prospered in the literary world. Over nine decades of writing, the Newburyport resident has published 21 books, won numerous awards, and later this fall, Boston College will dedicate...
Have you ever heard the one about the two women who met at the quilting museum? If not, we’ve got you covered. This is the story of Grace Gullotti, co-founder of the Billerica Spools Quilting Club and dedicated civil servant. At 88, she continues to give...
Leslie Dube got a later start in the world of volunteering, but maybe that’s because she was waiting for her perfect calling. It just so happens that calling came shortly after she moved into North Village, part of the Chelmsford Housing Authority, about 11...