HERO: Cindy Cosenzo, Community Leader
NOMINATED BY: Lisa GeniS,  AAA Travel

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Cindy Cosenzo initiated a group called AGE CELEBRATION. She takes seniors on walks around the community not only to get them outside and moving, but to teach them all about their community and why it is a great community. She really pulls people out of their shell and people really love her meet-ups! This group has become very large in a short time frame. Everyone is welcome. Even if you are not a senior. I have learned so much and became very proud of my community.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she saw to it that all of our community small businesses were supported. Every single day she has new, exciting and innovative ways for the community to help the small businesses. She coordinated efforts to raise the following amounts:

1. Donated $1,040 (52 relaxation kits of $20 each) to support local business Gifts A GoGo and Tuality medical care workers in their “Spreading the Good” peer-recognition program.

2. Donated $330 (22 handmade SHINE ON 4-card packs of $15 each) to support local artist Elizabeth Higgins and wrote 88 (!!) personalized heartfelt cards for Tuality ER and critical care workers to receive at the end of their shifts.

3. Donated $10,920 (546 activity bags of $20 each) to support local business Piccolo Mondo Toys and students in need at all eight Title 1 Elementary schools in Hillsboro School District, plus an additional $3,280 (164 bags of $20 each) for students in need at other HSD Elementary Schools.

4. Donated $400 (40 scarves of $10 each) to support local business Amrapali Boutique and Hillsboro Meals on Wheels volunteers who continued to serve meals each day to our homebound neighbors during the pandemic.

5. Donated $2,334 (389 loaves of bread of $6 each, plus matching donations from the bakery for a total of 778 loaves) to support local business Great Harvest Bakery Hillsboro and over 850 families in the school food pantry programs in the Beaverton & Hillsboro School Districts.

6. Donated $3,445 (689 sets of cards/stickers of $5 each) to support local artist Joyce Gabriel and local business Lithtex Printing and to send love and encouragement to all 1500 HSD graduating Seniors to let them know their community is thinking of them and is very proud of them.

7. Donated $1,640 (82 art experience kits of $20 each) to support local business Colours Art Supplies and to provide art supplies and opportunities for creative expression for Hillsboro youth experiencing homelessness in support of Safe Place shelter and Home Plate Youth Services.

She shows up for everyone with an incredible open, loving and giving heart.

I would like to thank her for all she does but she really feels that all this and more is not work to her. To her, Hillsboro, OR is her community. She keeps thanking us, but without her I don't think there would be a community. Because of her we all feel safe and proud to be in her community!