Quinn Sainato, a sophomore at St. Mary’s and a resident of Nahant, took it upon himself to make a difference in the lives of local veterans this winter. What started as a community service requirement for his confirmation at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church quickly grew into a meaningful mission to support those who had served.
“You always see these kinds of guys on the street and stuff, and you don’t really know their stories, where they come from, why they’re like this,” Sainato said. “A lot of them have good hearts. Around the Christmas season, I wanted to help them out.”
While looking for a way to give back, Sainato connected with Habitat P.L.U.S. INC. , a nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans in need. Since 1989, the organization has provided stable, sober housing for disabled veterans, many of whom might otherwise fall through the cracks of traditional support systems. By offering not just a place to live but also advocacy and access to essential services, Habitat P.L.U.S. helps its residents regain stability and independence. The organization plays a crucial role in Lynn, which has become the first city in Massachusetts to officially end veteran homelessness.
His initiative involved gathering essential supplies, including hygiene products, as well as securing gift cards for local businesses such as Dunkin’ and Walgreens to provide necessities. He also worked with Brother’s Deli, where the event was hosted, to ensure that the veterans would receive a warm meal. “I just walked in and asked for 15 gift cards to get these guys a free meal, free drink, some warm food on a cold winter night,” he explained.
Steve Campbell, a representative from Habitat P.L.U.S., praised Quinn’s efforts. “It made us very excited, like you can’t believe that a young man like this would come up with this idea, go knock on our door, and then run into the angel of God, George Markos, over there, and put this all together,” Campbell said.
George Markos, the owner of Brother’s Deli, expressed his gratitude for being part of the effort. “These are good people that come in, especially the veterans. I’m so thankful and grateful we were able to make this happen. You know I always look to support them and the Lynn community any way I can.”
Sainato’s work culminated in a gathering where veterans from Habitat P.L.U.S. could come together, enjoy a meal, and receive the items he had collected. He expressed a deep appreciation for their experiences and challenges. “You can tell that a lot of these guys are really goodhearted people who just need a little support,” he said.
When asked if this was a one-time endeavor, Sainato made it clear that this was just the beginning. “No.I love doing this, and I would love to do it again.”
His efforts did not go unnoticed. “Having someone like Quinn step up, it means a lot. He did the work” Campbell said.
Sainato hopes that his work inspires others to take similar action. “I think everybody should try something like this,” he said. “Get out there, do something to help, and you realize it’s actually not that hard, but it makes a big difference for someone else.”
