Levittown Residents Honored at 'Make a Difference' Awards

Lindsay Gruntorad and Matthew Leshinsky of Levittown were two of 10 extraordinary community members honored for contributions to their local neighborhoods at the 16th Annual Make A Difference Awards ceremony.

The ceremony, which was originally scheduled to take place in November, was postponed in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Several of the recipients of the award were those who stepped up to help others in the wake of the superstorm.  

 “We are here this evening to honor the unsung heroes who strive to improve the community and help their fellow citizens,” said Town Supervisor Kate Murray. “You will not find these people in the tabloids or on television. In fact, these honorees could be one of your neighbors, co-workers, or even the owners of your favorite pizza parlor.”

The honorees have all dedicated themselves to enriching the lives of others. Hundreds of nominations were received for the prestigious award.  

"Gruntorad has a way of making people feel “warm all over.” It began at 15-years-old, when she volunteered to serve Thanksgiving dinner to those in need in New York City. Lindsay hoped that a hot Thanksgiving dinner with the traditional fixings would bring some warmth and comfort to the people she served. But she noticed that they needed much more than a hot meal to keep them warm that holiday season.

These people, many of them children, needed coats to protect them from the frigid New York winter. She began asking friends and neighbors for gently used coats and jackets. By the following Thanksgiving, at 16-years-old, she distributed 50 coats to kids who needed warm outerwear. Over the next several years her efforts continued to grow. She added scarves, hats, gloves and sweaters to her collection list. Lindsay distributed the apparel through various outreach programs in Nassau County. Her hallmark moment occurred during a coat drive at Nassau Community College, where she collected 167 of the 180 total coats collected at the event.

Eight years later, Lindsay is now collecting more than 600 coats a year as well as hundreds of sweaters, scarves, gloves and hats. She drives all over Long Island to pick up apparel from donors and even sorts them into sizes to be delivered to various churches, organizations and outreach programs."

Leshinsky's story is just as impressive. Leshinky stepped up big in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, tending to all shelter duties at Levittown Memorial:

"Leshinsky is a special young man, who channeled youthful enthusiasm into inspiring acts of generosity, compassion and dedication. The harrowing impact of Hurricane Sandy brought despair and desperation to many town residents.  With so many homes damaged and people displaced, a young hero emerged in Matthew Leshinsky, who became a friendly and familiar face at the community shelter in Levittown Memorial High School.

With a warm smile, attentive ear, and helping hand, Matthew cast a ray of sunshine upon the dark aftermath of Sandy. Matthew tended to all the shelter duties, setting up beds, folding blankets, running errands, and being everyone’s friend in need. For his neighbors in need, young Matthew made the best of a bad situation.  He personally collected books and clothes for distribution at the shelter. 

Matthew’s drive and determination became an inspiration to his fellow volunteers. Matthew Leshinsky made a tremendous difference in a moment of great need."

“Our award recipients make our lives better every day and stepped up when people needed help most in the wake of Sandy,”  Murray concluded.

Do you know Matthew or Lindsay? Tell us in the comments below. 

Related Stories:

At 21, Gruntorad Devotes Life to Helping Others

Levittown Resident Organizes 7th Annual Coat Drive