[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 98 (Monday, June 9, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING DONNA TELESCO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2025

  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.

                          ____________________