Dorothy Carpenter remembers when she was a 'newcomer' in Bernardsville 30 years ago. "We ran an auction to raise money for the Matheny School," she recalled, "and it went extremely well. So, we asked Matheny, 'Would you like to have a friends group?'" That was the genesis of The Friends of Matheny, an auxiliary group that has raised more than $3 million for the students and patients at the Matheny Medical and Educational Center since the group's founding three decades ago. Matheny is a special hospital and educational facility in Peapack for children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities.
Carpenter now lives in Westport, CT, but she returned to New Jersey on June 11 to help The Friends of Matheny celebrate its 30th anniversary at its annual meeting held at the Roxiticus Golf Club in Mendham. Speaking at the meeting, Carpenter said, "I've always had a special place in my heart for Matheny. I'm just so proud of what you all have done."
Steve Proctor, Matheny president, thanked The Friends for everything the organization has given to Matheny, and The Friends presented Proctor with a check for $100,000, which will be used in the coming year to acquire equipment, technology and other gifts that directly impact the students and patients. Liz Geraghty, Friends president, also revealed that a major project this year will be the construction of a garden in front of the main entrance to Matheny where families can gather and relax during warm weather. The Friends also elected its slate of officers for the coming year: Geraghty, president (second term), a resident of Cranford; Kathy Sisto of Bernardsville, vice president, allocations; Helen Fallone, Bridgewater, recording secretary; and Karen Thompson, Gladstone, treasurer.
