I am lucky. I am surrounded by good people doing good things. There’s ample evidence of that in our Nov. 5 Expo Issue, where we’ve profiled the people and companies in our industry that are doing remarkable things to help others, whether it’s through bone marrow donation, building schools or helping others get a leg up in the world. But, as it turns out, I didn’t have to look far to find such examples close to home.
Take my friend and colleague, Lena Ragusa. She’s our HR manager and has been with Pool and Spa News for 21 years. A couple of years ago, she decided to find more meaningful ways to contribute to her community.
“I used to just write checks to charities,” she said. “But three years ago, I felt the need to put action behind it. I needed to do more.”
She looked around and found Community Action Team, a non-profit based in Long Beach, Calif., whose mission is to “promote social well-being among the general public.” They do this by organizing community events that benefit children, animals and the environment. They do everything from beach clean-ups and fundraisers to more themed events: a huge Touch-A-Truck event for kids, a sock drive for the homeless, a Beard and Mustache Championship, a Bulldog Beauty Contest, to name but a few. By my count, they put on more than 50 community events last year.
Volunteering with this group has enriched Lena’s life. Through them, she learned about the AIDS Food Store, a food bank for those in need who are living with or affected by the disease. She spends a few Saturdays a month helping with food distribution. This particular cause is near and dear to her heart.
“I had a cousin who passed away from AIDS at the age of 28,” she told me. “He was one of my favorite people in the world. The AIDS Food Store raised the awareness that there are still a lot of people living with the disease. Volunteering for them quickly became a passion for me.”
So much so that she was asked to join its board of directors, and then, two months ago was made secretary of the executive board.
All her efforts have not gone unnoticed. First, she was named a Long Beach Hero. A few months later, she was honored as a 2018 Woman of Distinction for California’s 70th District.
But she’s not resting on her laurels. Although she already spends 10-20 hours a month with the two non-profits, she’s applied to volunteer for a third — the Rainbow Lion’s Club, which works with people of all ages who need help getting glasses and hearing aids.
So why do you do all this? I asked.
“It’s actually selfish,” she said. “People say that I do a lot, but I get so much more than I give. The people that I’ve met through these groups have become a really important part of my life. To have a like-minded circle of people in my life is really rewarding.
“And I just really enjoy taking care of people.”
If you’re here at the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo in Las Vegas, come by our booth at 1343 and say “Hi” to Lena!