GALESBURG, Ill. — Loleta Thurman has been friends with Cindy Rescinito for over 30 years. Thurman has watched her friend's giving heart and knew she was extremely deserving of the Pay It Forward award, sponsored by Ascentra Credit Union.
“She has a big heart. She’s always giving and helping others, and she’s been doing this for a while and I just think she’s so very deserving of it," Thurman. said
Rescinito loves helping others, but around the holiday season she devotes her time to making it special for drug court participants and their families on Christmas Eve.
“I give a bag of hygiene products to each drug court client. They get a gift card donated by Orange Cup Java Station, they get a hot meal that we give to each client plus every person in their household, so this year we’re giving away 120 meals," Rescinito said. She also makes sure each client's children has a stocking full of goodies and a few presents to make sure they have a good holiday.
Rescinito holds a special place in her heart for the people going through drug court because of her experiences of addiction within her own family.
“I’ve always been one that I think everybody deserves a second chance at life. Just because you make a mistake doesn’t mean you're sentenced for life with that mistake. That’s how I feel," Rescinito said.
Rescinito also cares for her husband, who has Multiple Sclerosis. They have been blessed with help on his medical equipment, so they wanted to pay it forward themselves. Each year they gather family members to help and call out for donations, all leading up to make the Christmas holiday a little more special to some who need it most.
“If you could be there Christmas Eve and see them walk in and get these hot meals and the bags of gifts for their kids and the bags of gifts with their hygiene products, the smiles on their faces would melt your heart," Rescinito said.
Do you know someone that goes above and beyond for his or her community? News 8 and Ascentra Credit Union would like to help you Pay it Forward to them. Click here to nominate someone you know.
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