By GRETA SHUSTER
Beacon Media Staff Writer
Terry Santos knows the importance of giving thanks and giving back. As the co-owner of My Favorite Muffin, she and her team have organized numerous initiatives to support Warwick families facing hardship.
On Nov. 26, Santos was invited by the Boston Celtics Foundation to receive a Heroes Among Us Award. She, along with co-owner Linda DiPalma and long-term employees Bryanna Follett and Candy Silva enjoyed a full day of basketball activities, including seeing Celtics memorabilia such as Shaquille O’Neil’s size 24 sneakers, at TD Garden in Boston before sitting courtside at the home game versus the Detroit Pistons.
“Everybody got chills … when we saw Terry waving on that big basketball court in front of all those people at the TD Garden,” said DiPalma. “It was amazing.”
Established as an initiative of the Celtics in 1997, the Heroes Among Us program honors individuals who have made a lasting impact on the lives of others. At each home game, the Celtics and their fans commend the efforts of the honoree during a special in-game presentation on the court.
“Every time you help somebody, and you don’t want nothing back, just to see them smile, that makes me very happy,” said Santos, who has run food and clothing drives for years out of the store on Post Road.
When asked about her day with the Celtics, Santos said it was one she’ll never forget. “It means a lot to me,” she said. “I know I did something good.”
Santos is originally from Cape Verde and came to Rhode Island in 1994. She first began working at Rocky Point, then moved to a job at Rhode Island Hospital. With the dream to run her own business, Santos opened My Favorite Muffin in 2010 alongside DiPalma.
Drawing from her own experiences and deep commitment to her community, Santos has organized drives that have raised nearly $3,000 in food, essentials and monetary contributions for local households in need. Her work has made a meaningful difference for neighbors across Warwick, especially during the holiday season.
“We will always help,” she said.
Santos thanked all her customers for supporting her through the business so that she can be in a position to give back.
“The people of Warwick … they just come over and love me the way I am,” said Santos. “They are like my family.”
Santos said she is grateful for the community she’s built around the business. She says that if she doesn’t see her regular customers after a while, she’ll try to reach out and see if anything is wrong. She said some customers refer to her as “auntie muffin” or “mama bagel.”
“We help people. Sometimes you’ve got people that come in here and they’ll ask if they could have a bagel. Maybe they don’t have the money on them or they’ll say, ‘I’ll pay you when I get paid,’” said DiPalma. “And Terry just gives it to them, because we know how hard it is.”
My Favorite Muffin is located at 1535 Post Rd. in Warwick. It is open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.