Mariela is passionate about helping those in need and giving back to the community. Since childhood, she has been involved with various charitable organizations and founded her own philanthropic initiatives, inspired by her parents’ teachings of compassion, service, and gratitude. Some of Mariela’s earliest memories include volunteering in community clean ups from the age of 6, collecting toys for homeless families throughout elementary school, and distributing blankets to the homeless every winter since she was 11.

Mariela has carried these core values with her throughout her life and still upholds some of the traditions her mother started, like Thanksgiving meal delivery and winter blanket distributions, along with regularly donating to non-profit organizations. Over the years, Mariela has collected hundreds of winter coats for homeless families, helped rebuild homes in Puerto Rico, and written/illustrated a children’s coloring book benefitting the Make a Veteran Smile foundation, among other efforts.

Mariela believes small contributions can make a big impact and strives to make a difference, even a small one, each and every day. Some of Mariela’s favorite organizations to support include: Happy Helpers for the Homeless, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, Maestro Cares Foundation, Best Buddies.