280 West Hanover Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960
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vmcnj.org
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VMC (Volunteer Management Centers, Inc.) hosted its 34th annual volunteer recognition event on Thursday, April 26 at The Villa at Mountain Lakes. As part of National Volunteer Week, more than 40 awards were presented to individuals and groups nominated as outstanding volunteers by the organizations they generously serve.
“While our volunteer honorees are diverse in their interests, they are similar in their commitment and enthusiasm to serve others and improve their communities,” said Carol McKinney, VMC’s Executive Director. “Tonight is a celebration of their dedication and selflessness.”
Established in 1973, VMC has consistently grown in its efforts to recruit and connect individual, group and corporate volunteers with the more than 500 non-profit agencies in northwestern New Jersey who are most in need. In partnership with UPS and Seton Hall University, VMC further supports the non-profit community through the Board Leadership Institute (BLI), an innovative program designed to develop and deliver relevant training to corporate executives preparing for non-profit board placement.
VMC mobilizes people and resources to meet community needs and serves as a leader, catalyst and advocate for effective volunteerism. For information about volunteer opportunities in your community, please visit www.vmcnj.org or call 1(800) VOLUNTEER.
**MORE**
Names with Agencies Served, by Hometown
Morristown:
**Eileen Brown – Carol G. Simon Cancer Center
**Mae DelaRosa - Sexual Assault Response Team
**Jennifer Friedland – Fosterfields and The Community
Alexis Ganz - Homeless Solutions
**Janice Gaskins - Sexual Assault Response Team
**Rupa Khetarpal - Sexual Assault Response Team
**Denise Lang - Sexual Assault Response Team
**Tassie Livingston - Carol G. Simon Cancer Center
Jan Miller - Creative Heartwork, Inc.
**Joan Murray - Carol G. Simon Cancer Center
Susan Picatello - Morristown Memorial Hospital
**Ilana Rossoff - Morris Habitat for Humanity
Alexander Sadle - Morristown Memorial Hospital
**Phil VanKirk - United Way of Morris County
**Sharon Willse - Jersey Battered Women’s Service
**Peter Wolfson - United Way of Morris County
**Terry Youngelson - Carol G. Simon Cancer Center
Denville:
Alex Filauro - Tech Ministry
**Steve Franz – Jersey Battered Women’s Service
**Gertrude Gerken - St Clares Health Care System
**Valarie Golden - St. Mary's Church
Maureen and Dane Hagen -Tech Ministry
Mendham:
Brittany Badal - Morristown Memorial Hospital
Helen Clear – Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey
**Jeanne Jaeckle - Carol G. Simon Cancer Center
Amy McHugh and Nancy Neary - Homeless Solutions
**John Lee - Carol G. Simon Cancer Center
**Barbara Morris - Carol G. Simon Cancer Center
Parsippany:
Marcy Poquette - Parsippany Animal Supporters Society
Mary Tarafa - Morristown Memorial Hospital
Basking Ridge:
Allie Flanagan - Morristown Memorial Hospital
Susan Spencer - The Eric Johnson House
Chatham
**Lisa DeRosa - Carol G. Simon Cancer Center
Kate Margolis - Jersey Battered Women’s Service
Randolph
**Diane Cousey - Sexual Assault Response Team
**Beth Gibson - Carol G. Simon Cancer Center
**Louise Monahan - Carol G. Simon Cancer Center
Landing:
**Doug Anderson - Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey
**Krysten Carew - Sexual Assault Response Team
**Eleanor Anderson - Morristown Memorial Hospital
Harriet Buono - NORWESCAP
John DelRusso - Morristown Memorial Hospital
Berkeley Heights
**Margaret DeOliveira - Blair Academy
New Providence
**Leonard Forgione - Runnells Specialized Hospital of Union County
Helen Gunst - Morristown Memorial Hospital
East Hanover
**Jessica Huang - Sexual Assault Response Team
Madison
**Mara Johnson - Madison's Downtown Development Commission
**Margaret Berger – Sexual Assault Response Team
**Amy Villano - Sexual Assault Response Team
**Ken Knipmeyer - NORWESCAP
Fort Lee
Nancy Marano - Big Brothers / Big Sisters
**Sister Lena Picallo - Sexual Assault Response Team
Christine O'Brien and Mark Del Mauro– Jersey Battered Women’s Service
**Ray Perkins - Kiwanis Club of Mount Olive
Far Hills
**Jeanne Schatzki - Mental Health Association of Morris County
Cranford
**Wendy Wintfeld - ECLC of New Jersey
**Shelly Herman - Sexual Assault Response Team
Theresa Kennedy - Millburn / Short Hills First Aid Squad
Somerset
**Kristen Brucker - Sexual Assault Response Team
Wanaque
**Cayte Castrillon - Sexual Assault Response Team
Boonton
**Nicola Hayward - Sexual Assault Response Team
**Shirley Prill - Sexual Assault Response Team
Verona
**Liz Mandalas - Sexual Assault Response Team
Livingston
**Gita Patel - Sexual Assault Response Team
**Helen Quan - Sexual Assault Response Team
**Mariana Vergara - Sexual Assault Response Team
**June Witty - Sexual Assault Response Team
**Received SPECIAL RECOGNITION on 4/26/07
Doug Anderson -Visiting Nurse Association of New Jersey
Described as a “treasure” by the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey, Doug Anderson has served as an active hospice volunteer for more than 5 years, providing companionship to patients nearing the end of their lives, and respite to caregivers and family members. His generous and compassionate spirit continues to brighten the days of many, as he consistently finds ways to build trust and make connections with all those who he works with.
2007 marks Eleanor Anderson’s 43rd year of volunteer service at Morristown Memorial Hospital, where she has contributed almost 7,000 hours of her time to help others. Despite her many years of service, Eleanor has not lost her enthusiasm for learning new things, and she attends all information workshops and meetings to stay updated about all hospital related news, willingly offering suggestions for improvements. Eleanor is both a great joy and a role model for others.
Margaret DeOliveira is not just a scholar-athlete, but a scholar-athlete with an extraordinary and generous heart. Despite days filled with academics and year-round varsity sports, Margaret is a member of Blair Academy’s community service club, school newspaper and leader training program. Outside the school community – and in her “spare” time – Margaret has completed the Congressional Award for over 200 hours of community service combined with personal development and physical fitness. A long-standing member of the Girls Scouts, she is currently working towards the completion of their most prestigious Gold Award, for which she will organize free sports clinics to raise money for equipment for children who otherwise could not afford to participate.
Leonard Forgione - Runnells Specialized Hospital of Union County
Leonard Forgione first became involved as a volunteer at Runnells when his mother became a resident, sensing a need to help people adjust to their new surroundings. He has given his time in many capacities, first in the coffee shop, and then in several leadership roles within the Volunteer Guild, serving the past three years as President. Under his leadership, the Guild has raised more than $30,000 a year to support the purchase of things like equipment, personal care items, holiday and birthday gifts for Runnells residents. A dedicated ambassador of his cause, Lennie is actively involved in the recruitment of volunteers, as well as the promotion of the Guild’s good work throughout the community.
Steve Franz – Jersey Battered Women’s Service
Consistent. Extraordinary. Invaluable. The primary “go-to” person. These are all words used to describe Steve Franz and his volunteer service at the Jersey Battered Women’s Service. A devoted volunteer since 2004, Steve has given more than 500 hours per year acting not just as primary support of the agency’s Facilities Manager, but by connecting with clients and children to insure their comfort while in residence. From driving clients to appointments, to picking up supplies at Walmart, Steve is an integral member of the JBWS family.
Jennifer Friedland – Fosterfields and The Community
Jennifer Friedland has been a faithful volunteer at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm for 13 years, giving tours and interpreting the property’s rich history for hundreds of visitors annually. More recently, she became a member of the Board of the Friends of Fosterfields and Cooper Mill, and serves as their Membership Chair. She has been devoted in volunteer service to many other not-for-profit organizations as well – as a recruiter, trainer and consultant for CASA, as a Board Trustee for Literacy Volunteers of Morris County, as a driver for Meals on Wheels, and as a volunteer fundraiser for Morristown Memorial Hospital. Her organizational skills and sensitivity to others make Jennifer a true gift to the community.
Gertrude Gerkin - St Clares Health Care System
Volunteer service has been a way of life for Gert Gerkin and several generations of her family. It is estimated that she has spent almost 22,000 hours in service to her community following her retirement in 1978 - an average of 750 hours a year – and she has found a special place to share her gifts at St Clare’s Health System. She has served in many leadership capacities within the volunteer Auxiliary, and as its President was the inspiration for a $300,000 annual gift to the hospital from a dedicated group of volunteers. Gert is currently the manager of the Auxiliary gift shop, an operation that yields $40,000 annually. Gert’s tireless devotion to the mission of the Auxiliary and the Denville community at large makes her a role model for all.
Valarie Golden - St. Mary's Church
For more than 20 years, Valarie Golden has listened with compassion to hundreds in need in the privacy of their homes, in the public square, or at the underside of a bridge. She has worked with Meals on Wheels and Denville Social Services, mobilizing volunteers in St. Mary’s church through a lunch delivery program called MASH. She is an active leader and coordinator for the church’s Social Justice Committee, a driving force in the efforts to provide food, clothing, shelter, and counseling to the needy in Morris County. Despite negative press and resistance from local businesses, Valarie has been a part of the ongoing effort to feed the homeless in Dover. In short, Valarie selflessly provides “works of mercy” on behalf of others wherever needed.
Mara Johnson, VP and Branch Manager of First Morris Bank and Trust, is the heart and soul of Madison’s “May Day”, a town-wide clean-up project which mobilizes more than 1200 residents, employees and shop owners to willingly take pride in beautifying their community. As chair of the event, Mara spends more than 500 hours annually coordinating fundraising, coordinating public works employees and laborers, and developing and managing the projects which will result in not only the transformation of public spaces, but a bounty of community pride which lingers throughout the year.
Ken Knipmeyer - NORWESCAP
NORWESCAP’s executive director, describes Ken as the “consummate board member” and “a passionate cheerleader” for his organization. He also noted that Ken’s “enthusiasm is contagious and his quest for excellence has been a driving force in taking the board to a new level.”
Joining the Board in 2003, Ken’s leadership qualities were recognized immediately by both Board and staff, and he was elected the Board’s vice president after only 1 ½ years of service. Presently, Ken is President of the Board and is credited with leading the charge for building relationships in the community and keeping the Board focused on its mission and responsibilities.
Ray Perkins is a busy man. He serves on Mount Olive’s Town Council and the Township’s Pride Committee, is an officer of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the Knights of Columbus. But perhaps his most endearing role is that of Chair of the Santa House project, a community tradition that hosts more than 500 children a year during the weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Such a job requires the coordination of local businesses and municipal departments, the complete seasonal transformation and yearlong annual maintenance of this special building, as well as The Santa House’s dailyoperation during the holiday season, a significant commitment of volunteer time.
Perseverance. Enthusiasm. Reliability. Dedication. These are all attributes admired in adult leaders, but even more impressive when exhibited in youth. Ilana Rosoff has made extraordinary volunteer contributions to Morris Habitat for Humanity throughout her high school career, coordinating events and fundraising projects, and developing youth leaders through the agency’s Youth United program. Committed to Youth United’s success, Ilana has served in multiple leadership roles – Historian, Publicity Chair, Program Chair – and is involved in the planning and execution of advocacy activities to federal, state and local legislators as well as the recruitment and inspiration of new student volunteers who will keep the program strong into the future.
Jeanne Schatzki - Mental Health Association of Morris County
For more than 20 years, Jeanne Schatzki has played an integral role in the Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Player Program, an initiative which aims to reduce the stigma of mental health disease while educating the community using interactive role play techniques. A reliable team player and enthusiastic volunteer, Jeanne steps in for others in the event of unanticipated vacancies, and is committed to educating herself and then her audience about the multiple diseases that she portrays.
Phil Van Kirk - United Way of Morris County
Phil Van Kirk chairs the United Way of Morris County’s Affordable Housing Action Team. He joined the team in 2002 and became its chair two years later. A valuable member of the United Way’s Board of Directors, he is also an advocate for affordable housing. Phil brought the Housing Alliance of Morris County together; he helped prepare a white paper on the affordable housing crisis that garnered great media exposure; went to Trenton to meet with public officials; and helped make affordable housing a United Way priority. Phil’s passion, persuasion and persistence gave birth to a beautiful 24-unit affordable housing complex in Harding Township that can only serve as a can-do model to all New Jersey municipalities.
Five years ago, VMC saluted Sharon as an outstanding volunteer, and she has risen to the top again. Jersey Battered Women’s Service sings the high praises of Sharon’s volunteer commitment. Over the past 9 years, she has given nearly 5,000 hours to JBWS, which our government values as $80,000 worth of service. Sharon has been part of the Legal Advocacy and Community Counseling teams, the 24-hour hotline and has used her bi-lingual skills in assisting women at the courthouse. She was described to us as “passionate, caring and extremely knowledgeable.”
Caring for a child with special needs requires a tremendous amount of patience, time and emotional fortitude, which often leaves a parent with little time or energy to volunteer. Not so with Wendy Wintfeld, who is currently serving her 10th year as President of the ECLC’s Parent Teacher Association. As anyone familiar with this role can attest, this is more than a full-time job, and encompasses not only the coordination of all fundraisers – bookfairs, gift auctions, wrapping paper sale – but also the organization of recreational opportunities and events for students and their families. Quite simply, the PTA provides for all the wonderful “extras” not covered in the budget. Wendy’s only agenda is simple and transparent – she serves the faculty and administration of the school, and most importantly, its students.
Peter Wolfson has been an active an engaged volunteer on behalf of the United Way of Morris County for the past four years. Indispensible in his efforts to raise sponsorship money for capital improvement projects and repairs at local not-for-profit agencies, Peter’s involvement with UWMC’s Commercial Real Estate Committee has been extraordinary, and this committee has raised more than $842,000 and funded more than 57 projects throughout the county in the past seven years. In addition, Peter serves as Chair of the UWMC’s Public Official’s forum, a speaker series designed to raise awareness of critical community issues, such as the lack of affordable housing in New Jersey.
Music in the Atrium Volunteers - Carol G. Simon Cancer Center
Eileen Brown, Lisa DeRosa, Beth Gibson, Jeanne Jaeckle, John Lee, Tassie Livingston, Louise Monahan, Barbara Morris, Joan Murray, Terry Youngelson
It is hard to imagine a hospital visit related to a cancer diagnosis ever being described as “an hour of sanity and pure pleasure”, but somehow the Music in the Atrium volunteers at Morristown Memorial Hospital manage to create such an environment. A unique group of individuals specially trained to provide support and comfort to cancer patients and their caregivers, these 10 extraordinary volunteers have spent every Wednesday morning since 2001 offering live music, refreshments and conversation to all at the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center. Their devotion of time, compassion, song and support has provided immeasurable joy to so many during the most trying of times.
Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) - Morris County Sexual Assault Center
Margaret Berger, Kristen Brucker, Krysten Carew, Cayte Castrillon, Diane Cousey, Mae DelaRosa, Janice Gaskins, Nicola Hayward, Shelly Herman, Jessica Huang, Rupa Khetarpal, Denise Lang, Liz Mandalas, Gita Patel, Sister Lena Picallo, ShirleyPrill, Helen Quan, Mariana Vergara, Amy Villano, June Witty
The mission of the Morris County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is to insure a coordinated and collaborative response to meet the needs of victims of sexual assault. All SART members are volunteers, professionally trained to provide an immediate, compassionate, comprehensive and culturally sensitive response to this heinous crime. SART specialists are often the victim’s first point of contact following assault, remaining with the victim throughout medical examination if requested, and providing important emotional safety during this crucial period of time. While their immediate value to victims is obviously immeasurable, their service has a long-term benefit as well: victims receiving non-judgemental care following assault are the most likely to seek out the counseling and supportive services necessary to most effectively get on with their lives.