Beacon of H.O.P.E. contributes bike
About two weeks ago the Beacon of H.O.P.E. purchased a bicycle for a Pine Island man in need of assistance. Ron Rosse has been unemployed since he injured his back working construction and needed transportation to search for employment on the island.
“The Beacon of H.O.P.E. helped me in the past,” Ron Rosse said. “I went in for something and just mentioned that if I had a bicycle I’d be able to look for a job on the island.”
“Mr. Rosse came in and when we found out he was looking for a job we sent him over to speak with Dee Petraglia Dee is our Goodwill JobLink person,” Director Betsy Haesemeyer said. “Goodwill’s Job-Link centers help people with employment, skills training, and family strengthening. Dee has a way of lifting people spirits sometimes by just listing their assets. They come in kind of down but leave with a bit more confidence.”
“When Mr. Rossi came in I helped him with his resume,” Dee Petraglia, Goodwill’s JobLink coordinator said. “We sat down together and listed his particular skills to be included in his resume. Every resume has to reflect the individual. I can help with interviewing skills and locating both island and online jobs. Then if there is a job available I can direct them to that opportunity. It seemed to me that Mr. Rossi was more than willing to walk to find a job. But as you know the island is 18 miles long and walking isn’t really practical.”
“Both JoAnne Merritt and Dee Petraglia felt this gentleman really wanted to find a job,” Haesemeyer said. “So when we thought about it we decided that a bicycle would help. Pine Island Cycle helped us out by giving us a great price on a bicycle about two weeks ago. I believe it’s a 21 speed “almost new” bike. Mr. Rosse has been dropping off his resume at businesses on the island and is still looking. This was a great opportunity for us to live our motto “Helping Our People Excel.”
The Beacon of H.O.P.E. is a tax-exempt 501c3 organization determined to discover and support the needs of the Greater Pine Island community. The Beacon operates many Community Programs and the Pine Island Attic Thrift Store. They also work with other Pine Island assistance groups and clubs, county, state and federal agencies we address the needs of our community.
The Beacon is devoted to the Greater Pine Island Community and together they form a continued, unbroken circle of give and take. There is no ulterior motive. In other words, donations of cash and material are given to the Beacon and go directly to supporting the Pine Island community in the form of inexpensive goods through the Pine Island Attic and services provided through our Community Programs. Nothing else.