Woman Devotes Life To Turtle, Wildlife Rescue: Jamesport Hero

JAMESPORT, NY — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Sal Caliguri of Jamesport, who nominated his girlfriend Karen Testa of Jamesport.

Name of the nominee:

Karen Testa

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?

Yes.

What does the nominee do for work?

Rescues and rehabilitates our native wildlife.

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?

I have known Karen for over 15 years. She always did whatever she could to help any animal. In 2012 , she opened a non-profit rescue, Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons, in Jamesport. Every day for the last eight years, even through hurricanes and snowstorms and holidays, Karen has made her way to work so the animals can get fed, medicated and cleaned. She is on call and goes out on rescues all hours of the day and night, 24/7. She does this with zero compensation. No one funds the rescue but she and I — and our generous supporters. The animals are not pets. They are our native wildlife that she is helping to keep from endangerment. No government funding is available for this type of work, and without her, we may never see a wild turtle again.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?

She gives all of herself to the animals, even in the worst conditions, where anyone else, including myself, would give up, with no compensation to her whatsoever except to see our native wildlife continue to survive.

Thank you for all that you do, Karen!

Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.