E-Edition Advertise Subscribe Login Newsletter SignUp
Home News Sports Opinion Politics Things To Do Obituaries Classifieds Search

Hometown Hero: Hard work, volunteerism and unselfishness


Marilia Procopio, the portfolio manager at Elm Grove Companies in Manchester, works in her office space where she also gets ready to make a zoom call to the Concord Young Professionals Network, where she is the vice president of the organization. - GEOFF FORESTER / Monitor staff

By RAY DUCKLER
Monitor staff
Published: 11-22-2023 - 13:45:28

Marilia Procopio, the portfolio manager at Elm Grove Companies in Manchester, is flexible like Gumby.

How else to explain how she crams three sections of her busy life into one neat little daily package? She's a single mother raising her 14-year-old daughter, works full-time at Elm Grove, and volunteers for several organizations in a life rich with unselfishness and altruism.

"Yes, my job is flexible," said Procopio, who's 34. "I do networking after work, so thankfully I'm good at my job."

So good, in fact, that Kayleigh Greene gave the Monitor its next Hometown Hero. They've been friends for nine years and worked together at Elm Grove and a mortgage company before that. Greene grew up in Concord, lives in Northfield and knows as much about Procopio as anyone.

"She's really outgoing and very kind," Greene said. "One thing is Marilia is always willing to help someone if she possibly can. She always says yes."

Procopio was modest when interviewed about the Hometown Hero honor. Greene was able to fill in some blanks, saying that she and Procopio created their own holiday cheer shortly before COVID hit, delivering turkeys and gift cards house to house in Manchester.

"She was very passionate about that," Greene said.

Elsewhere, Procopio coordinates golf tournaments at Beaver Meadow and Derryfield Country Clubs through a 501c organization. Money raised goes to children in Manchester and surrounding areas. She also fundraises for the Concord Boys and Girls Club and teachers who might need supplies for their classrooms.

And then there's the volunteer work she does as the vice president of the Concord Young Professionals Network and the Friendly Kitchen. She donates food to the less fortunate.

She stepped down as the Young Professionals Network's president to serve as vice president so she'd have time to devote to yet another volunteer organization: the New Hampshire Apartment Association.

"I do a lot of tenants' rights," Procopio explained. "I deal with a lot of landlords and vendors for restoration, flooring, paint companies, what to do in cases of how safe the landlords are."

Procopio credits her drive to her mother, also a single mom who worked in the same place as a nurse for 25 years. Procopio joined a lot of clubs in high school and began working at McDonald's at age 15.

Meanwhile, her 14-year-old daughter has carried the torch, participating on the cheerleader team at Manchester Memorial High School six days per week. After the season, she'll head back to her old job at Market Basket in Bedford.

Hard work and caring seem to be in the family's DNA.

Wrote Greene in her nominating email: "She always ensures equality and kindness. She truly goes above and beyond to be the best version of herself and to do good by others."

News

Downtown: Grateful relationship between merchant, customer is flourishing on Main Street

City of Franklin rejects lawsuit settlement from local business owner Miriam Kovacs

Three million people expected to visit NH this winter, and spend about $1.5 billion

Beaver Meadow clubhouse failed to meet criteria for community center grant

Sports

Hockey previews: Concord looking for more scoring options this season

Football: D-II, D-IV All-State rosters announced

Hockey previews: Concord looking for more scoring options this season

High schools: Division III hoops opening night, Franklin sweeps Pittsfield in D-IV

Boys' basketball: Hillsboro-Deering wins season opener for Hillcats' first victory since Feb. 9, 2022

Boys' basketball previews: Pembroke optimistic after championship appearance

Golf: Brady's Jason Bird named D-III Coach of the Year, All-State teams announced

High schools: Concord, Bow, John Stark wrestling open season with victories

Girls' basketball preview: Team chemistry, offense are a focus for Falcons under new coach Emerson

High schools: Concord Christian boys, Pittsfield girls hoops pick up first victories

High schools: Concord Christian boys' hoops, Pittsfield girls lose season openers

Wrestling preview: Growth of the sport and roster numbers a common theme for area programs

Division IV boys' basketball preview: Concord Christian looks to keep momentum

MV grad Gavin Wheeler rebounds from heart procedure to help Proctor Academy on the soccer field

Soccer: All-State rosters released; Coe-Brown's Hils, Bow's Smith named D-II Coach of the Year

New England College football will join Commonwealth Coast Conference

Volleyball: Coe-Brown headlines area teams in 2023

'This could happen to anyone': John Stark sophomore overcomes cancer diagnosis to help lead the Generals to a state championship

Cross country: Area runners compete at New Englands

Field hockey season recap: John Stark defends its title

Fall 2023 players of the season

Opinion

Opinion: The heavens are telling

Letter: Re-evalute clubhouse costs

Letter: The only question left

Letter: Beaver Meadow, an asset to the city

Opinion: Everyone's freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians

Opinion: Traditions, troops, and hoops

Letter: Response to 'fish hatcheries'

Letter: We the people

Opinion: Who is Donald Trump?

Letter: Preserve? Protect? And defend?

Letter: Preserving our republic

Opinion: The Broken Ground site is best for education

Letter: Israel-Gaza War

Letter: Mayor Bouley's legacy

Letter: Beaver Meadow's new gathering place

Letter: A time of giving

Events

Things To Do

Concord Chorale holds December concert

Players receive $50,000 matching gift pledge

Is it normal or a problem if your evergreens are browning?

Homeyer: 2023 holiday gifts for the gardener

Holiday folk concert returns to Concord

Holiday artist demo at Twiggs Gallery

Vintage Views: Our beloved depot

Symphony NH to hold Holiday Pops concert in Concord


Around Concord


Local Advertisers

e-Edition
Capital-Buzz

Contribute

Lend your voice to the discussion, view the Monitor's list of submission forms below:

Concord Monitor Office

1 Monitor Drive
Concord,NH 03301
603-224-5301

© 2023 Concord Monitor
Terms & Conditions - Privacy Policy

Customer Service

• 603-224-4287
• customerservice@cmonitor.com

Social Media

Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
Instagram

News

Part of the Newspapers of New England Family

Amherst Bulletin
Athol Daily News
Concord Monitor
Daily Hampshire Gazette
Greenfield Recorder
Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Valley News
Valley Advocate
The Concord Insider
NNEdigital