Lemoi receives Volunteerism Award at LLS ceremony

Add Stephanie Lemoi’s name to the list of Rhode Island’s outstanding fundraisers.

Although the 22-year-old Johnston resident and Mastery Martial Arts program director didn’t win the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year Award, she took home a prestigious honor at Saturday night’s Gala at the Providence Biltmore Hotel.

Lemoi, who raised over $17,000 and placed third in the LLS Woman of the Year Campaign competition, was thrilled when area director Carla Mulhearn called her name a winner of the Volunteerism Award.

The award, as Mulhearn told an audience of LLS supporters, goes to an individual for giving selflessly, involving the community and helping those in need.

“I was so happy,” Lemoi related after receiving the award. “I really enjoyed the last 10 weeks raising money to continue the research and fight to cure leukemia and lymphoma. All of the contestants were excited with the amount of money we raised.”

A total of nine people – six women and three men – participated in the 2019 LLS Man and Woman of the Year event and raised a combined total of $240,000. Mulhearn said that figure is “still rising even after the original 10-week campaign.”

Channel 10 news reporter and Toll Gate High School graduate Lindsay Iadeluca – who lives in Warwick – won Women of the Year honors by raising more than $54,000 during her 10-week campaign.

The LLS Man of the Year honor went to Ken Menna, who raised over $29,000. Jason Ferri was runner-up for men and Gina Clapprood took home the same title among women. Lemoi was also third overall in women’s fundraising.

Lemoi thanked many of her team members who were on hand for Saturday’s night’s Gala, and that group included her parents, Philip and Lori Lemoi, as well as Susana Ricchiuti, Michael Rossi, Ryan West, Allegra Graziano, Lynne Baccari, Bob Graziano, Mary Lou Proia, Joseph Pezzullo, Daniel Proia and Matthew Glass.

“It really feels good knowing our fundraising efforts will make a difference,” Lemoi said. “I’m hoping that more people will get involved in next year’s campaign. It’s truly a rewarding experience.”