Yorktown Woman's "Love in Action" Helps Local Families

Surrounded by jackets and shirts on racks, as well as bags and bins filled with children's clothing,  pointed at the items that had been donated to her through the non-for-profit organization she founded, Yorktown Love in Action. 

The organization provides families with clothes, furniture, and other basic services. It was founded in April 2011 to help local families who are struggling to make ends meet. Simone-Sofo was originally storing clothes and furniture in her Yorktown home, but eventually she had to move the donations into a storage room. 

"I just want the word to get out there that people can help each other," the Yorktown native said. 

The woman has been helping families for years and has housed several in her home. She paid for gas, brought clothing and food for a woman who had lost her daughter to cancer. There was another woman who had cancer herself and was out of work, and Simone-Sofo paid her car insurance, electric bill and plans on giving her firewood for the winter.

A few years ago, Simone-Sofo said she received a call from her daughter who had seen a woman wandering the street and asked her if they could help her. They did. Not knowing anything about the woman, who had an alcohol problem, they had the woman live with them for two years. 

With the bad economy, Simone-Sofo said more people are struggling to make ends meet. Although communities in Westchester County are considered affluent, there are people who can barely afford to live in their houses due to illness or unemployment. Yet, people don't know what their neighbors might be going through.

"People in Yorktown don't want to admit that something happened to them and they can't pay their bills," she said. "People are embarrassed."

The 56-year-old mother of two, who was a single mother four years ago, was out of work for two years at some point when her son had a severe illness. 

"I know what it's like but I always knew I was going to be OK," she said. 

Four years ago, she married Frank Sofo, a man she had known since they were 11 years old and were growing up in Yorktown. He is also involved with the organization.

"Donna is a very complex lady, though her personality leads you to believe otherwise," her husband said. "People who meet her, are instantly drawn to her. After a short period of time, you will come to love her, like so many others have and probably never know the exact reason why. They will say she has a loving personality, kind, caring and compassionate to all, with a zest for life."

Simone-Sofo, who also works as a CPR instructor and ballet teacher, said she gets her motivation from seeing the faces on the kids when she brings them clothes or food. She lovingly calls the people she helps her "families."

"Knowing it's making their life easier and we're here for such a short time," she said. "It's not about me enjoying what I have, it's about me enjoying giving to people who don't have something."

She is also a volunteer at the Lake Mohegan Ambulance Corps and said if she sees an accident, even if she's on her way to work, she would stop to help out.

"That's the way I am," she said. "I can't pass on people who are hurting."

Simone-Sofo credits her parents for "always helping" anyone who needed them. She said her mother, who passed away from cancer two years ago, was "full of life" and would have been proud of what she is doing.

Frank Sofo said her desire to reach out to people is not something that was taught, rather it's something in her. The organization is now looking for someone to give them a storefront at a cheap price, so they could store all the clothing and furniture they receive as well as sell them at an inexpensive rate to the families that need them.

Most importantly, Sofo said, the donations and money raised would help your neighbors as Yorktown Love in Action is geared toward helping people in the community.

Simone-Sofo said in the few months Yorktown Love in Action has existed, she has helped close to 26 people. She said she is working on recruiting more volunteers and getting the finances to help even more people. 

"Our goal is thousands [of dollars] a month, so I can help everyone is Yorktown," she said. 

If you'd like to donate slightly used clothing, foot wear, household goods, toys, baby items, automobiles and furniture, call 914-490-3966 to schedule a pick up or a drop off. You can also make a one-time monetary contribution or sign up to become a monthly sponsor.

"I love everybody," Simone-Sofo said of her choice to call the organization Yorktown Love in action. "It's really my heart in action."

Editor's Note: This profile was chosen to be featured in the Huffington Post's page for the Greatest Person of the Day.

--

Thank you for reading! You can "like" Yorktown Patch on Facebook and follow our Tweets.