Sparta Businessman and Community Volunteers Honored

Volunteers and representatives from local businesses and organizations were recognized for their outstanding efforts in support of Project Self-Sufficiency at the agency’s annual “Mosaic Awards” on Thursday. The event recognizes individuals, schools, civic groups, businesses and non-profit organizations which have provided invaluable assistance to the agency during the previous year. The President’s Award was bestowed on Vince Perella, owner of The Printing Center in Sparta, in recognition of his years of support. Several longtime volunteers were welcomed into the new Louise E. Murphy Center for Volunteerism Circle of Leaders. Project Self-Sufficiency is a local, non-profit agency which specializes in services for low-income families in Sussex County, as well as portions of Warren and Hunterdon Counties.

“The Mosaic Awards honors the individuals and organizations that have been instrumental in helping us to pursue our mission throughout the year,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “This event recognizes that even the smallest contributions can combine with the efforts of others to have a powerful impact on the community. The lives of thousands of local families have been changed for the better because of the thoughtfulness and generosity of these individuals.”

Each year Project Self-Sufficiency singles out one volunteer who has demonstrated overwhelming support of the agency to receive the Michael J. Holub President’s Award, named in honor of the agency’s late Board President. The 2016 President’s Award was given to Vince Perella, owner of The Printing Center in Sparta. Perella had previously been recognized with a Foundation Award for his contributions to the agency. “The support provided to Project Self-Sufficiency by Vince Perella and the entire staff at The Printing Center throughout the years has been invaluable,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “Vince leads by example and selflessly contributes his support to every event. We are constantly grateful for his generosity of spirit.”

Several longstanding volunteers and businesses were inducted into the Circle of Leaders, under the umbrella of the new Louise E. Murphy Center for Volunteerism, including Lois DeLuccio, André and Tracey de Waal, Elsie Lorber, Delores McDonough and Patricia Wolfrum. All have contributed countless hours volunteering at fundraising events, assisting with the distribution of Thanksgiving food baskets and holiday toys, and assisting agency clients with literacy and other endeavors.

Food insecurity is a dire problem for many Project Self-Sufficiency participants, and contributions to the agency’s food pantry, Thanksgiving baskets and other feeding programs are always welcome. Andersen Family Farms and Heaven Hill Farms were recognized for their extraordinary measures to ensure that Project Self-Sufficiency participants have access to quality food and fresh produce, and for donating flowering plants to beautify the campus. The Sussex County Food Pantry, specifically Carol Novrit and volunteers Rita Oroho, Lisa Parrot and Ellie Daingerfield, were thanked for providing weekly backpacks brimming with food for local low-income children, and for assisting with snacks for the Project Launch Newton after school program.

Assistance with fundraising and publicity is appreciated every year. Jaime Boffa, of Sussex Macaroni Kid, and freelance reporter Laurie Gordon were honored for their help with publicizing agency events to the general public. Melissa and Brian Fagersten, who were recently welcomed into Project Self-Sufficiency’s Young Leadership Council, were recognized for initiating a pub crawl to raise funds for the agency.

Project Self-Sufficiency works closely with area healthcare providers to provide support and education for local residents. The Sparta Cancer Center was acknowledged for their ongoing support of Project Self-Sufficiency’s breast health education program, including providing lunch for hundreds of attendees at the annual breast cancer survivor’s event in the spring. Dr. Michelle O’Shea and the staff at Summit Breast Care, were recognized for their assistance with the agency’s breast health program. Coventry Family Practice and Hillcrest Obstetrics & Gynecology were thanked for supporting the agency’s home visitation programs for expectant and new parents, and for help with job placement services. Bev Keur and the High Point Wildcats Field Hockey team were recognized for developing the annual Pretty in Pink multi-sport effort to raise funds for breast cancer research and early detection.

Assistance with workplace training, education and internships is vital to the agency’s mission of helping individuals to become economically self-sufficient. Those organizations which contributed valuable help with workplace training included Compassionate Care Hospice and the Sussex County Surrogate Court. Mary Ann Stanek was acknowledged for volunteering to teach computer classes at Project Self-Sufficiency. The staff at Sussex County Community College was thanked for helping Project Self-Sufficiency participants to further their education through the new Campus to Campus program. Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Intervention Services was recognized for implementing a media literacy program for agency participants.

Project Self-Sufficiency welcomes assistance with coordinating programs for children. First Hope Bank employees Kim Morlock and Lidia Zdunek were recognized for teaching financial literacy to the students in the Project Launch Newton program. Lynn Hodum was thanked for her countless volunteer hours at the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center. Julie Sheaffer and Talia Teneyck were lauded for helping the students at the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center to create homemade gingerbread houses during December. Halsted Middle School nurse Carol Marinaro was recognized for her ongoing assistance with the Project Launch Newton program.

Project Sussex Kids, The Sussex County Council for Young Children, was launched during 2015 to support local families parenting children up to the age of eight. Kris Imbrie was lauded for her ongoing support of agency programs, and for agreeing to develop online parent training workshops on behalf of Project Sussex Kids. Peggy Askew and Kathy Nauta were recognized for their assistance in implementing Project Sussex Kids. Nauta was also thanked for her enormous contributions to the Season of Hope Toy Drive year after year.

The Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive involves the participation of hundreds of individuals, schools, civic organizations and businesses each year. The 2015 toy drive gathered more than 20,000 items for distribution to more than 2,100 children. The United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, represented by Gunnery Sergeant Matthew Hutcheson, was acknowledged for their enormous contribution to the effort. Eileen Mitchell, Isabelle Marseilles and Mariapia Riso were recognized for providing music at the toy shop and for donating the proceeds of their CD’s to Project Self-Sufficiency. SCARC was acknowledged for their assistance with the toy shop and for providing volunteers to work in the agency’s garden during the warmer months. Sheri Cecchini, owner of Off Shore Marine, was thanked for developing the inaugural Stuff the Boat event on behalf of the toy drive. Volunteer Kay Kleinienst was recognized for knitting over 100 hats for the children served by the toy shop. Sandy and Mike Lipka were thanked for the significant contribution to the toy drive, and for their assistance with other agency events, such as the annual Back-to-School Fair.

Girl Scout troops have been involved on a variety of levels at Project Self-Sufficiency for nearly thirty years. Several troops were recognized for their support during 2015, including Green Township Brownie Troop #5015, Green Township Junior Scout Troop #5004, Green Township Junior Scout Troop #4542, and Stillwater Girl Scout Troop # 95010. Girl Scout Anah Oozeerally was singled out for special recognition for developing a tennis camp for the Project Launch Newton after school program in pursuit of her Gold Award. Likewise, Girl Scout Ruby Esposito was recognized for developing the Project Toys 4 Teens effort on behalf of the Season of Hope Toy Drive.

Access to transportation is a constant challenge for many agency participants. Elite Automotive & Tire was recognized for donating refurbished automobiles to Project Self-Sufficiency clients for the past two years. Michelle Olenick, Esquire, was thanked for her years of service with the agency’s legal education program, including providing free Family Law seminars and legal consultations to area residents.

Project Self-Sufficiency is a private non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey. The agency’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of holistic, respectful, and comprehensive services enabling low-income single parents, teen parents, two-parent families, and displaced homemakers to improve their lives and the lives of their children while achieving personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability. Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 20,500 families, including more than 30,000 children. For information about the programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or 844-807-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.