While all have special meaning to Mr. Berrios, it is clear that time
spent at the Concourse House has made the most lasting
impression. One of eleven children raised by a single parent,
Fred knows first-hand what it is like to go without, and he does
not want to see others struggle in the same way.
The Fathers’ Club orchestrates an annual Advent Christmas
party for the residents of Concourse House, supplying Christmas
trees, refreshments and a visit from Santa, ensuring each child
gets two gifts from their carefully penned list.
“To watch the faces of these kids when Santa comes in, and then
when they realize he also has presents for them – well, the look
on their faces and the faces of their moms – it literally brings
tears to my eyes – but then it brings joy to my heart,” he explains.
Whether serving meals with his family at POTS or assisting the
St. Ignatius School by securing funding necessary to fix door
locks, secure safety signs, or simply treating the teachers to
lunch, Fred wholeheartedly embraces the chance to make a
difference facilitated by his association with the Prep.
While he recognizes and appreciates the value in helping the
Prep with its all-important fundraising events to support its
mission, it is the example he is setting for his children through
service at these three remarkable organizations that has been
his most fulfilling experience.
“When I look at my son and see how he’s grown in the last four
years I know Fordham Prep had a lot to do with that. I am
forever grateful for what the Prep has given him so giving back is
a no brainer. But it’s more than that. It’s showing my son what’s
truly important in life. He sees me and so many other parents
here day in and day out giving of themselves for the benefit of
others, and that’s huge. That’s putting your money where your
mouth is and it’s such an important lesson that doesn’t happen
everywhere,” Fred states emphatically. “It happens every day at
the Prep. I’m just one of many who pitch in however they can. It’s
a natural part of the culture here.”
There’s another, secret reason Mr. Berrios devotes the
equivalent of three days a week helping at the Prep: it has
become his personal fountain of youth, an unexpected benefit
of the countless hours he spends being a man for others.
“It makes me feel twenty years younger! Really!” he says with a
laugh.
When asked what he would tell others about giving of their time
to the Prep, Mr. Berrios is quick to respond.
“I’ve spent my career in sales and marketing, and this is the
easiest sell ever. Volunteering at the Prep has rewarded me and
my whole family in more ways than I could have ever imagined.
It’s really a win-win situation all around.”
Linda and Joe Costelloe P ’10, ’11, ’14, ’16
How does one begin to explain the always smiling, always willing
to help, always there when you need her, full-of-energy dynamo
that is Linda Costelloe? Fordham Prep has been blessed with
many parent ambassadors over the years, but few have left their
mark on the Ram family the way Linda has. And make no
mistake, quietly (except when on the rugby pitch) there by her
side has been another incredible supporter of the Prep, her
equally enthusiastic husband, Joe.
Little did anyone know when the first of their four sons came to
Fordham Prep it would be the start of a relationship that has
spanned eleven years and brought so much to the Prep, not the
least of which has been the re-instatement of the wildly popular
Rugby program.
As the parents of a large family, Joe and Linda knew they needed
to plan ahead for the education of their boys. Though they lived
in Port Chester, Linda took a teaching job in Rye Neck; part of
her contract enabled her children to attend school in that highly
sought-after district. Yet there was something about a
faith-based education that compelled the Costelloes to explore
other options – and for high school the most likely choice was a
prep school in New Rochelle that many of the boys in their
Parent volunteers Linda and Joe Costelloe
neighborhood naturally gravitated towards. However, their oldest,
Liam, wanted to check out Fordham Prep, a place Linda and Joe
knew nothing about until they walked into the Open House when
Liam was in seventh grade. The rest, as they say, is history.
S U M M E R 2017 | 45