Ralph Trionfo
Simply put, I’m just wired to help others. Whether it’s doing a quick fundraiser to send supplies to those affected after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, organizing a fun event to benefit the local Boys and Girls Club or delivering food during the Covid lockdown, this is a big part of who I am.
During the most challenging year in my life on so many levels, helping others, really helped me. A true bright spot during the early days of Covid 19 was my long-standing relationships with local non-for-profit groups. The world is hurting, my neighbors need help and thankfully there were many charitable organizations helping. Relief came in many forms including providing food and beverages to anyone that stepped-up. Many of our neighbors especially the elderly could not leave their home’s during the Corona Virus lockdown, so we went to them. Serving my community with urgency, a sense of purpose is automatic. I met other wonderful volunteers that shared the same passion. We packed food bags in Astoria for a weekly food pantry, we walk-up to the nice lady on the 4th floor in Jackson Heights and handed out water and masks in Corona. Giving a little time can mean so much
I’m a “club kid” at the age of ten years old, I was perfecting my backstroke on the swim team at the Boys and Girls Club of Queens. After-school I would take to trains to get to the club to do my homework, shoot basketball and play with other kids. I personally know first-hand how important these clubs these activities are to the youth and families in our communities.
As an “adult” I reconnected with the club as an active volunteer. Eventually I was asked to join the board of directors and participated on every committee and attended every event. It’s the largest after-school program in Western Queens. This program cares for nearly 200 children during after school hours for a safe, active and positive environment as a constructive alternative to the streets. It was fun to participate in the following commercial (voice over and audience).
