United Way
of Central Jersey

Hometown Heroes

An audience of community leaders, volunteers, representatives from social service organizations and educational institutions gathered recently at Middlesex County College to honor “Hometown Heroes,” outstanding volunteers who have shown extraordinary dedication and creativity in helping their neighbors.  2007 is the 18th year of honoring volunteers by United Way of Central Jersey.

It is important to thank those selfless people who have the foresight, insight and commitment that it takes to make a difference in our Central Jersey service area,” said Joseph Nirschl, Chief Volunteer Officer of United Way of Central Jersey.  “It is their leadership and the example that they set that keeps the number of volunteer hours at high levels.  Those in need are depending upon the work that the volunteers do.”

             Special Achievement AwardMiddlesex County College for the creation of Democracy House/Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement.  This unique program introduces students to the critical importance of social responsibility.

             Student VolunteerHoda Mitwally of Edison High School whose volunteer hours in 2007 may exceed 1300 hours recruiting student volunteers and being an organizer, activist and student leader.

             Student Volunteer GroupStudent Council of Benjamin Franklin Elementary School for the efforts of these third and fourth graders in promoting good deeds, organizing fundraisers and a food drive.

             Family GroupPeggy and Bob Schmerker for their many years of volunteer service at Roosevelt Care Center and for their remarkable leadership of the volunteer group at the facility.

            Individual AdultKaren Jones for the more than 10 years of selfless volunteer work at Livingston Elementary School in New Brunswick including organizing and participating in more then 12 volunteer groups.

             Adult Volunteer GroupPrudential Fox Roach Realty for their dedication to Women Aware, Inc. providing services for victims of domestic violence.  Thirty-eight offices of Prudential Fox Roach Realty close in order to participate in a day of caring for Women Aware and of their commitment to provide free facilities maintenance to the organization.

             New Award!!! The Hope of the Community AwardAgnes Barenti, an active volunteer and Board member with United Way of Central Jersey for her dedication to children’s issues that has resulted in the very successful Nurse Family Partnership Program where first time, at-risk mothers receive visits by a registered nurse from pregnancy until their child reaches age two . The Nurse Family Partnership Program has been independently evaluated has consistently demonstrated significant positive results in progressive pre-natal and child development practices.

             Master of Ceremonies duties were carried out by WCTC 1450-AM personality, Judith Leblein of The World According to Judith radio program. The guest speaker was Christina Rak-Samson, the current reigning Mrs. New Jersey, who spoke about the importance of community involvement, mentoring and commitment.

Nominees in all categories received certificates acknowledging their efforts, and included:

Student Volunteers:                       Joseph Reid, Helmetta Borough Recreation

                                                                    Shamonique Simons, Woodbridge Vo-Tech High School

                                                                    Diane Vigueras, Perth Amboy Salvation Army

 Student Volunteer Group:          Middlesex County 4-H Teen Council

                                                                    People to People Ambassadors at Kiddie Keep Well Camp\

                                                                    Safe Teens of North Brunswick

Individual Adult Volunteers:     Sherry Abell for Buddy Ball Division of No. Brunswick Soccer Club

                                                                    Nancy Alberici for St. James Parish in Woodbridge

                                                                    Brenda Crespo at Robert Wilentz School in Perth Amboy

                                                                    Dawn Duffy – Women Helping Women

                                                                    Betzaida Feliciano – advocate at Coordinated Family Care

                                                                    Harriet Hershevov – 25 years of service for youth and families

                                                                    Abby Hoffman – Elijah’s Promise

                                                                    Anneliese Mueller – Elijah’s Promise

                                                                    Elizabeth Nemeth – Grandview School in Piscataway

                                                                    Valerie Rabinskas – Bowne Munro School in East Brunswick

                                                                    Susan Sendelsky – Kiddie Keep Well Camp

                                                                    Marjorie Spangler – Linwood Middle School in North Brunswick

 Adult Volunteer Group:              Siemens Caring Hands Foundation for their work at the

                                                                   Cerebral Palsy Association of Middlesex County

 United Way of Central Jersey’s Chief Professional Officer, Gloria Aftanski, summed up the awards event: “This is an important evening because volunteers are the core of United Way’s community service agenda.  It was the Volunteer Services Advisory Committee that spent hours evaluating the nomination applications.  In essence, the Committee, nominees and the award winners embody United Way’s tagline of everyone “working together to do what matters.”

United Way of Central Jersey’s Volunteer Center actively recruits community volunteers and also serves as project coordinator for worthy organizations that need volunteers.  The Center has an online database of volunteer opportunities, and also arranges “Days of Caring” for United Way’s corporate benefactors and members of the community, primarily with non-profit agencies whose programs receive United Way financial support.  During 2005, 1200 individuals and groups have spent time volunteering through United Way’s Volunteer Center. Meaningful Days of Service are developed to address needs in the Community or commemorate special events such as September 11th and the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday in January.  For information on volunteering, visit United Way’s web site at www.uwcj.org or call John Ross at (732) 247-3727.



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