Recognizing Donna Telesco

Floor Speech

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding contributions that Donna Telesco has made as a volunteer with United Way of Hernando County. Donna not only coordinated relief supplies inventory at our Family Resource Center (FRC) daily for 2 weeks, she was a lead volunteer when it came to identifying unmet needs and residential trends as individuals impacted began to open up regarding their level of destruction. She prepped supply bags, organized inventory, communicated with other volunteers, and showed up each day with a smile, ready and willing to help however needed. In preparation for Hurricane Milton, just a few short weeks later, Donna helped the organization pack up thousands of relief and recovery items onto a 40 foot trailer. She and her husband patiently waited on stand-by for the storm to pass and roads to clear, offering to help again when needed. With Milton severely damaging the East side of the county, the Withlacoochee River began to overflow at a historic rate, leaving many Ridge Manor families with limited access to their homes. As the United Way's team set up a POD (Point of Distribution) of basic necessities, washer/dryer, showers, hot meals, and MRE and water distribution, Donna and her husband Billy volunteered daily, connecting with every distraught resident along the way. When United Way activated its FRC in Ridge Manor, Donna oversaw operations for distribution at the center-- prepackaging food and toiletry bags, creating a procedure to collecting and filling the needs, and organizing all items donated to us and distributed out. This effort took place daily for 30 days. Without Donna and her ability and willingness to coordinate, far fewer people would have been helped. As the holidays came and went, Donna kept in touch, wanting to donate her time with us in ``blue skies'' as well. She completed the agency's stringent 3-day VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) training in December and became IRS certified to assist low-to-moderate income families throughout tax filing season. Donna volunteers her time as a tax preparer, working one on one with families, at 3 of 5 Hernando preparation sites, equaling a total of 5 days a week since February (logging over 135 TD). This doesn't include her endless hours assisting the organization with event prep, administrative services, and partnership planning. Donna works beautifully in a group setting, as well as independently being able to complete projects. She is thoughtful, caring, and always going one step beyond you would expect someone to.

It is clear Donna Telesco has made a profoundly positive impact on our community, and I am grateful for her service. May we all strive to serve our communities with the same dedication and humility.

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