Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen: Voice of a Donor Features Alicia Arinella

Alicia Arinella, President of On the Leesh Productions, and Executive Producer of What You Can Do, was recently interviewed for Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen's Voice of a Donor.  

Read below to find out more about Alicia's commitment to helping the organization.  

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FOOD FOR THE SOUL

ALICIA ARINELLA, DONOR, VOLUNTEER, WHAT CAN YOU DO

Voice of a Donor… Alicia

In Soup Kitchen Stories on June 26, 2013 at 3:01 pm

Founder and owner of her own production company, director and producer of 11 short films, one feature film and critically acclaimed series ‘What Can You Do’, Alicia Arinella is not someone who would strike you as being nervous. And yet, as she walked into the soup kitchen to begin her first day volunteering, that’s exactly how she was feeling.

‘We’d been looking for something we could do as an office team and we found the soup kitchen,’ she remembers. ‘I really wanted to help but I’d never done anything like this. I didn’t know what to expect, plus I can be really picky about table manners…’

As fate would have it, Alicia was put on table duty, the role with most interaction with our guests. In the busy flurry of a January morning with over 1,200 meals served, any time to notice table manners was soon forgotten, and in only two short hours, Alicia felt she had a life changing experience.

‘Everyone was just so nice,’ Alicia recalls. ‘Everyone I smiled at, smiled back. People thanked me all the time. The people I saw around the tables were not who I expected to see in a soup kitchen. The whole experience just blew me away.’

Shortly after her morning volunteering, Alicia decided to donate. She sold some books on Amazon and donated the profits to the soup kitchen. As the months passed, she found herself donating more – more money, more time, more attention. A little over a year on, Alicia has made a series of videos promoting the soup kitchen, spear headed several social media drives and continues to be a generous donor. Oh, and she types up work from the writers’ workshop as well.

‘It’s kind of an addiction, I admit it,’ she says, laughing. ‘I just love the soup kitchen and what you guys do. As I got to know it better, I grew to love it more. It’s a well oiled machine that doesn’t feel like a machine at all. I’m proud to be a part of it.’

Like most New Yorkers, Alicia encounters the problems of homelessness and hunger in her daily life, which she finds reinforces her connection with the soup kitchen. ‘Walking through midtown, riding the subway – these issues are ones I see all around me,’ she says. ‘I’ve been given a lot of opportunity in my life. You can think you’re immune to these problems but we’re all only ever a step away from a terrible phonecall that can change our lives forever. It’s so important to give back.’

An Interview With a WYCD Fan

Occasionally, we get emails from fans about different issues and/or organizations that have had an impact on their life. We love these! After all, What You Can Dowas created for the public as a way to encourage all of us to make small changes that can have a big impact. One email that recently came our way was from Chaz Southard. Chaz wanted to let us in on an organization that has had a major effect on his life. The organization is called justadollarplease.org and Chaz is not only a fan of theirs, but is also an active volunteer. Read below to find out more about Chaz and justadollarplease.org. And, as always, we'd like to hear from you - even if it's just to say hello and nice work!

Read our interview with Chaz below:

How did you get involved with justadollarplease.org?

Several years ago I sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI) and I looked to the path of hope carved by Christopher Reeve. Christopher Reeve credits a neuroscientist by the name of Dr. Wise Young for opening up the possibilities of a cure. After I learned that Dr. Wise Young is now starting clinical trials in the United States with the goal of curing paralysis I wanted to contribute in any way possible. When I realized that I could offer some of my web design knowledge to contribute to this organization I jumped at the chance.

Why do you think it's an important organization?

Justadollarplease.org is an unique patient driven organization that directly contributes to initiating clinical trials to help cure spinal cord injury. Since ancient times, spinal cord injury has been a permanent condition that results in loss of motor and sensory function. This organization is the synthesis and collaboration between patients and scientists. It is the first organization that I’m aware of that promises that all funds will directly contribute to real life treatments and not basic laboratory science.

What is the importance of clinical trials?

Clinical trials are a critical step to developing treatments. In order for a discovery to receive FDA approval, a clinical trial needs to be conducted in order to provide evidence of safety and efficacy. Legitimate clinical trials also help to change paradigms. It is the most direct way for doctors and insurance companies to provide treatment to patients.

You volunteer for this organization, what has your volunteering experience been like?

As a person living with a spinal cord injury, I find great meaning and hope in volunteering my time and being an active part in creating a solution. It is immensely rewarding to help and be able to take part in changing history. I feel that my involvement is directly helping relieve suffering and is creating hope for those living with injuries.

If someone is inspired to help, what one-minute action can you recommend?

I would recommend reading about the history and mission of justadollarplease.org and contribute one dollar by clicking the “Donate” sign in upper right corner.

Is there anything else that you'd like people to know about this issue?

Every dollar matters. I think there’s a great opportunity here to help eradicate an injury that has plagued human beings since antiquity. People with SCI need support and treatments. No treatments exists. For comparison, nearly 50% of people with cancer have the opportunity to be randomized in clinical trials. This compares with less than 0.1% of people with spinal cord injuries. We need the support and awareness. Since the passing of Christopher Reeve many with this injury are lost and in need of a leader. This organization is part of making Christopher Reeve’s vision a reality.