Heart and Soul of Volunteerism Honored by Project Community Pride

Project Community Pride honored an array of volunteers from Chatham, Madison and Florham Park at its 35th annual breakfast fundraiser Tuesday at the Fairmount Country Club in Chatham.

Volunteers deemed outstanding by their local police chief were honored with the George W. Burroughs Award.

In Chatham, perennial volunteer Vince Fiorito was honored for his work with the Municipal Alliance Committee and for sponsoring the "Parents Who Host Lose The Most" campaign, which raises awareness about the liability to those hosting a party where alcohol is served to minors. 

"This award is an honor for me, but not a necessity," said Fiorito. "Most people who volunteer want to help make a difference."

Fiorito added that he had been helped by service organizations in the past and found his volunteer efforts with the Municipal Alliance a way to "pay it forward."

Chatham resident Chris Tomaino was also honored, receiving the Harold P. Higgs Award. Tomaino has served as the president of the Fishawack Fesival since 2006 and often lends his vocal talent to borough fundraising events, singing with his band.

"When I retired, I thought I'd play golf," said Tomaino, adding he imagined moving to a small town out west and cultivating friendships, being someone who everyone knew as he walked down the street. "But then I realized I had that here, so why leave?"

Keynote speaker Cpl. Edwin Santana of the Morris County Sheriff's office is an expert on gang violence in Morris County, and he noted that the Madison-based organization's approach to troubled youth serves a key function in helping to  preventing problems in the future.

"Being proactive before reactive is important," Santana said, noting that Project Community Pride has been working to help at-risk youth since 1976. "We need to work together in law enforcement and in families—these kids are our future."

Project Community Pride is a community-based agency that offers counseling and other services to at-risk young people. They work with the police departments in , Florham Park or Chatham Borough, often identifying kids who might be heading for trouble after they've had a brush with the law.

Project Community Pride Director Brigitte Kelly, who is a licenced therapist and social worker, as are all members of the staff, stressed the mission of the organization.

"We work with kids who get lost and there is a direct connection between families breaking down and kids getting into trouble," said Kelly. "I'm fascinated with working with the police and the schools. It is a great model."

"We do deal with a lot of juvenile issues in Madison, " said Det. John Miscia, who works directly with the Project, referring kids to receive counseling, coordinating community service hours, or even giving them a tour of the Madison Police Department's jail. "We hardly ever see them again if they go through Project Community Pride."

Funding for the organization comes from each of the towns they serve as well as fundraisers such as Tuesday's breakfast.

"We think of today as a public recognition ceremony," said Laura Shaljian, program specialist for Project Community Pride.

In Madison, teacher Mark DeBiasse was honored for leading students in giving 10,000 hours of public service back to the community. DeBiasse is also on the Madison Historical Society's Board of Trustees. 

"Parents are certainly paramount in raising our students," said DeBiasse. "All of us coming together the way we do in these three communities to help children make the right choices is essential."

Madison Mayor Mary-Anna Holden and council members Bob Conley and Jeannie Tsukamoto were also honored for their support of Project Community Pride.

"Every year since I've been on the Madison Council, Project Community Pride seems to be under the gun," said Holden, alluding to funding struggles. "But the funding is so small, and it is so powerful what they are able to do."

In Florham Park, former Town Clerk Judith Beecher, who has spent her retirement fundraising for causes like the Gift of Life program, which provides healthcare for children with heart problems who could not otherwise afford treatment. She can also be found volunteering and organizing several area events.

"Judy touches everyone from the very young to senior citizens, " said Florham Park Police Chief Patrick Montuore. "Then she does it once more by bringing the children to the senior citizens."

Beecher accepted the award with an emotional thank you and encouraged Project Community Pride to keep up the good work.