Unsung Hero #79

The other day, alert — and compassionate — “06880” reader Elaine Marino sent me an email.

Earlier that morning, she said, she dropped off her husband at the Greens Farms train station.

Elaine noticed a woman who had just gotten off the train. She began walking, and turned left on Greens Farms Road, toward Morningside Drive.

Elaine pulled over and asked, “Can I give you a ride?” The woman gladly got in the car.

Elaine drove her to a house on a side street, just past the Sherwood Island Connector. Her name was Maria, and she was very grateful.

That was not the first time Elaine gave a ride to someone walking from the train station. For the past several years she’s done it for people who are household staff — nannies, cleaners, gardeners —  who don’t have a ride from the train to their destination.

“I have met lovely people this way,” Elaine says. “I have never felt unsafe. It gives me a good feeling to help someone — especially in below-freezing temperatures. It would be great if even more people did this.”

Elaine did not expect me to name her this week’s Unsung Hero. She just wanted more Westporters to be aware of needs like this in our midst — and to reach out and help those who need it.

I’m sure she’s not the only one who has done something like this.

But I’m also sure there are many more — like me — who have not.

Thanks, Elaine, for stopping, and caring. And for reminding us all to do the same.