Friends Rally To Help Woman Who Gives To Others Finish College

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Friends are coming together to help someone they say spends her life devoted to empowering others.

A GoFund Me, "Giving Back to the Giver," was created for Lisa Votino of Southampton by Christine Nower of Amagansett.

"You already know the name Lisa Votino," she wrote, "When children and adults detained at the southern U.S. border needed clothing, medicine, toys, and toothbrushes, Lisa Votino was there for them, raising money for supplies and traveling to Tijuana to bring it directly to them.

"When the Black Lives Matter movement on the East End needed a voice to organize action, Lisa Votino spoke up," Nower said.

Votino, Nower said, has advocated for friends and relatives on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation; she has joined the Southampton Town Police Department’s community advisory panel.

"She always comes through for people in need, in our community and in the world around us, and now it’s Lisa herself who needs some help," she said.

Votino, who is working toward her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Empire, needs a semester’s tuition and fees until her student loans become accessible in January, she said.

Nower is campaigning to raise $5,600 to help Votino with college tuition and fees, as well as textbooks and supplies, so that she can complete her education in the human rights field, "and continue to make a difference," she said.

The cost breaks down to $4,000 for tuition, $500 for textbooks, a $700 fee for SUNY Empire's portfolio review procedure, and $400 for miscellaneous fees, supplies, and expenses, she said.

"This woman is strong and hopes to share her strength with the world. She envisions herself possibly even working for the United Nations someday," Nower said. "A single mother, Lisa also wants to be a good role model for her daughter, Lily, 7, by showing her the value of education, ethics, love, respect, and commitment."

Votino, she said, has received the People Power Patchogue Civic Excellence Award, the New York Civil Liberties Union of Suffolk Advocate of the Year Award, and the Long Island Region NAACP Delano Stewart Award, among others.

"With our support, Lisa will be able to finish her education and continue helping others. She is a dear friend to many, and she inspires me every day to be the best person I can be," Nower said.

The fall semester begins in just over two weeks, the need is immediate, Nower said.

"Any contribution will enable Lisa attain her goals — and through her, make the world a better place," she said.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.