Christian Health Care Center Honors Volunteers at Luncheon ... Kicks Off Volunteer Appreciation Week!

Christian Health Care Center (CHCC) kicked off National Volunteer Week, Monday, April 23 to Saturday, April 29, by honoring its many dedicated volunteers recently at a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at Macaluso’s in Hawthorne.

“Christian Health Care Center would like to sincerely thank all those who volunteer for us in various places throughout our campus,” said Dot Faasse, CHCC’s Coordinator of Volunteers. “Their service is invaluable, and we are so grateful for the time and talents they so willingly give. We are truly blessed.”

The luncheon culminated with an awards presentation. Stanley Grossberg of Pompton Lakes was recognized for 5,500 hours of service. Toni McAlevey of North Haledon was recognized for 4,000 hours of service. Pat Burwitz of North Haledon and Lois Nieuwenhuis of Hawthorne were recognized for 3,500 hours of service. Ed Johanson of Oakland, Muriel Prins of Hawthorne, Brittany McNaboe of Ramsey, Cindy Kiefer of Oakland, and Ruth Ann Wynbeek of Midland Park were recognized for 1,500 hours of service. Barbara Carney of Mahwah, Don Klingen of Wanaque, Arthur Minck of Wyckoff, Olimpia Rubino of Mahwah, Carmella Talvy of Westwood, and Marie Wisher of Wayne were recognized for 1,000 hours of service. Carole Bechtold of Hawthorne and Bernice Siegers of Midland Park were recognized for 400 hours of service. Diana Connolly of Hawthorne, Wayne Lemme of Ramsey, Al Lowitt of Pompton Plains, Kathy Marsico of Wyckoff, Christopher Mazzocca of Oak Ridge, Rita Valvano of Franklin Lakes, and Henrietta Verblaauw of Prospect Park were recognized for 250 hours of service.

Douglas A. Struyk, CPA, LNHA, CHCC President and CEO, presented Mrs. Faasse with a surprise bouquet and a special gift to recognize her 30-year career at CHCC. She was honored because she plans to retire from CHCC in May.

“Dot was here before me and I looked up to her as someone with a lot of experience at Christian Health Care Center,” said Mr. Struyk. “She is very dedicated to her volunteers and a passionate appreciation for the difference they make to those entrusted to our care. She has worked with hundreds of volunteers over the years and had meaningful, personal relationships with them that impacted their effectiveness. The volunteer program has grown tremendously during Dot’s tenure. In 1990, our Junior Volunteer Program began, welcoming teenagers to experience an enriched volunteer program here during the summer months. Today, we average anywhere from 200 to 300 adult and junior volunteers annually, who volunteer anywhere from 10,000 to 16,000 cumulative volunteer hours.”

CHCC volunteers responsibilities are varied and extensive. Some assist with activities or work in de Snoep Winkel Gift Shop and Tea Room. Others organize fundraisers or serve on the CHCC Board of Trustees. CHCC’s goal is to make a volunteer’s experience a valuable one, while also benefiting residents, patients, consumers, and clients. For more information about volunteer opportunities at CHCC, call Mrs. Faasse at (201) 848-5797 or email dfaasse@chccnj.org.

CHCC provides a broad continuum of high-quality, compassionate care, offering superior senior-life, short-term rehab, and mental-health services. As a non-profit organization, we deliver person- and family-centered care to our community based upon the Christian principles on which we were founded more than a century ago.

For more information, visit ChristianHealthCare.org.

CUTLINE: Pictured, from left, are Dot Faasse, Christian Health Care Center (CHCC) Coordinator of Volunteers and a resident of North Haledon; Stanley Grossberg, CHCC volunteer being honored for 5,500 hours of service and a resident of Pompton Lakes; and Douglas A. Struyk, CPA, LNHA, CHCC President and CEO and a resident of Wayne.