A friendship forged in an act of kindness

One woman’s act of kindness brightened the Thanksgiving holiday for another - and helped to forge a friendship that will last long past this season of thanks and giving.
Grace D’Agostino, 67, of Ozone Park, affectionately known as “Lucy” to her friends, happened to meet Carmella D’Agostino - no relation - when she worked at P.S. 63 for the Board of Elections during this year’s primaries and vote on November 4.
The two immediately bonded, perhaps over the common name, and later, when Carmella, 64, mentioned that she had no family and no place to go to celebrate Thanksgiving, Grace opened her heart - and her home.
“If I know you have no place to go, you come to my house,” she said. “I told her that this is going to be her family from now on.”
So on Thursday, November 27, there were 11 people at Grace’s table giving thanks and breaking bread. For those who could not make the feast, food was sent to their home.
Carmella was so touched by the act of kindness that she called The Courier Sun.
“This woman deserves a medal for the act of kindness,” said Carmella. “I wish we really were related. She has a heart of gold. I had a wonderful time.”
This year was Grace’s eighth hosting people in her home for the holidays and her birthday - July 4 - but her generosity extends well beyond that.
When her friend Nancy Thompson - whom she also met through the Board of Elections - had a minor toe operation recently, Grace “made sure I always had food.”
“She goes out of her way for the community,” said Nancy. “She just has this dynamic personality.”
Grace says her altruism is something she and her siblings learned from her parents - much like the recipes she still uses.
“We’d all have everyone over our house,” she said. “[We’d] also give clothes and food to the unfortunate.”
And it’s something she has passed down as well.
Grace and her husband Michael have two children, a daughter, Lois Ann, and a son, Salvatore, and two grandchildren, Samantha and Stephen.
“My little grandson, Stephen, [now age 11], when he was nine, asked his mother, ‘My friend is poor, would you mind if I gave him [my toys].’ It passes on.”
She sums up her generosity with what she calls the “Power of one”: “We can’t do everything for everyone everywhere, but we can do something for someone somewhere. If everyone would take the time to help three or four people, we’d be OK.”