An Interview with Local Author and Philanthropist Helaine Mario
We spoke with author Helaine Mario, who has supported Doorways for decades, about her writing, philanthropy, and what inspires her to create and give. Helaine has published five novels, donating all the royalties from her book sales to Doorways and other charities.
For Helaine, both sharing stories and financially supporting local causes are driven by a deep, personal dedication to reaching out to and helping people.
It’s a “very intimate connection with someone you’ve never met in such a good and meaningful and positive way,” she said. “That’s why I write.”
Writing found Helaine, she said. “In every volunteer capacity, I gravitated toward writing, such as writing an article for a newspaper about a local organization, or a report for Save the Children.” And through her writing, she found a way to use her talent and skill to support the causes she cares about. Helaine and her late husband Ronald were dedicated “especially to small, local organizations,” like Doorways, she said, since they’re “less likely to get big grants, big money.”
Helaine chose Doorways because “I really believe in what you do,” she said. “I love my family and cannot imagine any woman being frightened by her partner – or even worse, afraid that her child won’t have a bed, or dinner, or warm pajamas, or a book,” she said. “EVERY woman needs a chance to keep her family safe. Hence, Doorways.”
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