Jefferson Award winner brought spirit of giving to USA
Mar. 21—LIMA — Heera Shenoy left India with her husband and 2 1/2-year-old son in 1982. They came to the United States seeking a better life, and Shenoy knew it would take hard work and plenty of it to succeed in the New World. She was willing to make that commitment.
Today, at age 88, she continues to amaze others much younger with her commitment to volunteerism. Shenoy is in her 15th year of volunteer service at Mercy Health-St. Rita's Medical Center, averaging 88 volunteer hours each month. That service has not gone unnoticed as she is one of nine winners of the 2025 Jefferson Award for Public Service.
Getting Heera Shenoy to lend her time and talents wherever needed is the easy part of this story. Getting the petite woman to step into the spotlight — even for a brief moment — is much more difficult.
"I would be happy if this story wasn't written," she chided during an interview in recognition of her Jefferson Award. "I was even nominated without my knowledge. I don't volunteer my time to get attention. I feel good when I can give back to society," Shenoy said. "When we first came to this country we went through a lot of hardships and now I can understand the problems of others and help out wherever I can. I volunteer because I like to do it."
New country, new job
Trained in India with a Master's degree in cytogenetics, Shenoy found work at St. Rita's Hospital — now Mercy Health-St. Rita's Medical Center — in the accounting, finance and IT departments. She worked in the IT field for the hospital for 43 years before her job was outsourced some 10 years ago.
"I worked 85 to 90 hours a week for 24 years; one day job and one night job," Shenoy said. Today she volunteers at Mercy Health and the India Club. She takes people to appointments, escorts Haitian ladies to nursing homes to look for employment and brings food to elderly shut-ins. She is also a fixture at the Mercy Health Thrift Store in Lima.
Without hesitation
"Heera gives — her time, her talents, her resources — without hesitation," said Sara Heitmeyer, volunteer/auxiliary resource director for the hospital. "Her willingness to help those in need lifts up all who come in contact with her. She is completely unaware of how much she impacts those she helps. Heera feels that she has been blessed and therefore must bless others."
Heitmeyer said Shenoy worked two jobs for many years to put her son through college.
"Heera came to this country (from India) with very little. It's because of the hardships she herself has faced that she is so sensitive to the needs of others."
"I have known Heera since 2007 when she volunteered as an assistant treasurer for the India Club in Cridersville," Heidi Barnett said. "She has volunteered at St. Rita's since 2005. She helped build a shelter for Eagle Scouts, contributed regularly to St. Jude's and helped settle new arrivals from India by opening her heart and her home. She has regularly donated and collected donations for Goodwill and the Lima Soup Kitchen.
"Heera is a pious, devout Hindu Brahmin. She is humble, caring and wants to help others like a soldier of God and a silent worker without expecting any return," Barnett said.
Maddie Brunner, fitness coordinator at Mercy Health, said Shenoy exhibits "exceptional dedication" that contributes to the center's success.
"Heera comes to the fitness center six days a week and cleans for us. She consistently demonstrates a positive attitude and brings a lot of joy to the fitness center. She never fails to being a smile to the faces of those working out in the center."
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