Annual Senior and Persons with DisabilitiesAll Media Art Show
Debra Fryer with her entry "Three Boys and a Beach" 
John Dingman with his entry "Deep in Thought" Both artists are first time participants in the Annaul Senior and Persons with Disabilities All Media Art Show. VMC (Volunteer Management Centers, Inc.) hosted its annual All Media Art Show, featuring judged works by area artists who are senior citizens (ages 60+) or persons with disabilities of any age. Co-sponsored by the Morris County Division on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans, this event was participated in by more than fifty artists who have provided 87 pieces of art from oils, watercolors, pastels and prints to drawings, mixed media, photography and sculpture. A volunteer panel of art experts judged all works. There are professional and non-professional awards in every category. For further information on next year's show in May, 2007, please call VMC at 973 538-7200 ext. 23. VMC’s Outreach Program recruits and trains volunteers to phone or visit homebound seniors and persons with disabilities as part of its mission to mobilize people and resources to meet community needs. Visit Outreach Program for additional information about VMC’s Outreach Program or Volunteers for volunteer opportunities in your community, or call 1(800) VOLUNTEER. 2006 ARTISTS BY TOWN
VMC Celebrates Volunteerism Across Northern New JerseyVolunteer Management Centers, Inc. (VMC) hosted its 33rd annual volunteer recognition event on Thursday, April 27 at The Villa at Mountain Lakes. As part of National Volunteer Week, more than 70 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.” Volunteers Honored on April 27, 2006
A special Community Impact Award was presented to the
**Received SPECIAL RECOGNITION on 4/27 Simon Alexander, Visiting Nurse Association & Hope House - Simon Alexander is a young man in the transition program of Revolution New Jersey, an organization designed to teach vocational training and community integration. An energetic 15 year-old, Simon spends one day a week working for the Visiting Nurse Association, where he provides grocery-shopping services to elderly shut-ins. On another weekday, Simon can be found at Hope House assisting with things like document shredding. Simon has enthusiastically overcome his own challenges to assist others in his community, always unselfishly, and always with a smile. Charles Arteglier Jr., Morris County Nutrition Program- Those who work with Charles Arteglier, describe him as gentle, kind, caring and good-natured. He has worked with the Morris County Nutrition Program for an impressive 12 years, helping to package and deliver hot meals to homebound seniors within Morris Township. He is dedicated to bettering the lives of isolated seniors, and his constant smile and kind words are indicative of his genuine concern for their well-being. What is most impressive about Charles is perhaps his willingness to overcome his own physical adversity to improve his community. Following an accident in 1989, which left him with shattered vertebrae, and many broken bones, Charles was determined to rebuild his life, and did so by giving selflessly of himself to help others. Martha Bardin, 4-H Seeing Eye Puppy Project - For more than 38 years, Martha Bardin has been leading a youth club called 4-Footed Leaders that raises puppies for the Seeing Eye Program. Martha serves as a mentor to youth, encouraging her club members not only to give unselfishly of their time, but also to develop public speaking skills by sharing themselves and their puppies with residents of the Fireman’s Home in Boonton, Morris View Nursing Home, and various local libraries, schools, scout troops and community events. The incredible impact of Martha’s time and energy are immeasurable. She is nurturing the tolerant and caring adults of the future, and the puppies, which will go on to give independence and dignity to the visually impaired. Mary Ann Brinkley, Parents Anonymous - Some people accomplish one magnificent feat in their lifetimes, either by circumstance or by design. Others like Mary Ann Brinkley perform small miracles on a regular basis. As a help line volunteer at Parents’ Anonymous for more than seven years, Mary Ann has listened, offered support and empathy, and made appropriate referrals to people who feel hopeless and helpless—pregnant teens, frightened children, frustrated parents, and exhausted grandparents. Mary Ann’s efforts are especially meaningful because she experienced abuse by her own mother as a child. Far from being bitter, she recognizes the acute need for compassion and reassurance, and speaks as an advocate for children. As the voice of calm and reason, her hope is that she might be the voice that her own mother never heard. Jason Carrier, Jason Clarke, Christopher Conklin & Rebecca Stewart,- The Medical Needs Foundation - The “Fab Four” are extraordinary young professionals who have pooled their immeasurable talents—generosity, a dedication to community service, and strong leadership and organizational skills—to create a successful fundraising machine. The Medical Needs Foundation provides financial assistance to individuals and families facing overwhelming expenses due to chronic or catastrophic illness. Inspired by the personal needs of Jason’s mother, this group organized and developed a fundraising event which has evolved from raising $1,200 in its initial year, to now drawing over 200 guests and raising over $36,000 just several years later. Funds raised by this “Fab Four” have assisted nearly four-dozen recipients, including victims of cancer, amputation, paralysis, transplant and stroke. Ron Francioli, Employment Horizons- Ron Francioli’s commitment to Employment Horizons is extensive and personal. As the father of one of the agency’s program participants and the owner of a marketing communications firm, he has generously given of his professional expertise by developing an extensive print advertising campaign to support the agency’s public relations initiatives, resulting in thousands of dollars in savings of creative fees. In addition, Ron makes himself available to Employment Horizons whenever necessary, sitting on the agency’s Capital Campaign Committee, serving as honorary chairperson at the agency’s recognition dinner, and planning special events, among others. Ron is unselfish and philanthropic, and his efforts have not only created countless work opportunities for special needs program participants, but also a heightened awareness of Employment Horizons and its mission in the community. In his “spare” time, Ron is the Mayor of Hanover Township. Frances Giordano, Morristown Memorial Hospital - Some people see retirement as a time to relax, catch up on reading, and travel to distant ports. Not so for Fran Giordano, who has been volunteering her time three days a week in the hospital mailroom since 1983. Because of Fran’s dependability, accuracy and attention to detail, there is likely not a more efficient “small town” post office in the country than the one at Morristown Memorial. Ask Fran why she enjoys her work so much, and she will tell you that it keeps her thinking, and that she thrives on the fact that her tasks in the mailroom are different every day. Because of Fran’s commitment to excellence, the hospital’s 4,500 employees, 1,100 physicians and countless patients—even the ones who have already been discharged-- never miss a piece of mail. Mark Hladyk, Creative Heartwork, Inc. - The concept of “paying it forward”—helping others in similar need after receiving assistance yourself—is a worthy attribute in adults, but even more extraordinary when exhibited in children. Mark Hladyk first came to Creative Heartwork at age 12 after experiencing significant trauma, abuse, neglect and illness in a substandard orphanage in Russia. His childhood experiences prior to adoption understandably resulted in poor communication and social skills, and low self-esteem. Who would have dreamed that within just three years Mark would become a Junior Volunteer and eventually a treasured member of the Creative Heartwork staff, managing various office tasks and facilities projects, soliciting donations of much needed supplies, and publicizing the agency’s services within his school. A role model and advocate, Mark’s hard work and effort has resulted in an established junior volunteer program for other child participants in the program. Valerie Marino, Helping Hands of Passaic County – It is often a traumatic experience that helps one find their own purpose in the world. Inspired by her mother’s death from leukemia, Valerie Marino has made helping children and families suffering from life threatening disease her passion. Her extensive fundraising work with the Passaic County Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as well as Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund of Hackensack Hospital was her motivation to create Helping Hands of Passaic County, an organization that provides financial assistance and “special wishes” for cancer-stricken children who would otherwise do without. Currently an employee of William Paterson University, she also organizes an annual Thanksgiving dinner for more than 450 senior citizens. Harold Miller, The Community - Harold Miller is described as a “volunteer extraordinaire”. He gives generously of his time at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Mount Arlington, at his community of trailer dwellers at Lee’s Park, and at Mount Arlington’s Senior Citizen Center. Harold is amazing for many reasons, not the least of which is that he is a conscientious community volunteer at 88 years old. At church, Harold completes many daily support tasks, but excels as a greeter, welcoming everyone loudly and warmly, regardless of their arrival time. This results in a most punctual parish. He also serves as unofficial “mayor” of the trailer dwellers in his community in Lee’s Park, collecting newspapers and mail, visiting the ill and homebound, and making minor repairs as necessary. He acts in a similar role at the Senior Citizen’s Center, looking after all those in need of support and friendship. His philosophy is simple: to do all he can for his fellow man. For all who know him, the world is a better place because of Harold. Gloria Pulver, The Morris Museum - Gloria Pulver embodies the true spirit of volunteerism. In 2005, she contributed more than 425 volunteer hours to The Morris Museum, the second highest among the museum’s outstanding volunteers. Her attention to all the important details in both the Finance Department and the Morris Museum Shop are unparallelled, but her commitment doesn’t end there—Gloria has also knitted and donated nearly 30 doll blankets for the shop to sell, resulting in more than $300 in profit for the Museum. At 79 years young, Gloria is an inspiration to volunteers of all ages, always ready to give more than is asked of her. It is no surprise that the Museum honored her with their prestigious Volunteer of the Year award in 2005. Sally Rushmore, Morristown Memorial Hospital - For 37 years, Sally Rushmore has been a fixture at the Carol G. Simon Patient Information Desk. To describe her as dedicated is a gross understatement—she has contributed more than 14,000 hours as a volunteer and resource to patients, visitors, and hospital staff at Morristown Memorial. Clearly, Sally thrives when busy, and she has inspired many others to join her at the information desk as front-line volunteers. Always a compassionate and professional role model, Sally’s dedication and hard work distinguish her as a star among stars in the hospital’s Volunteer Program. SHIP Counselors of RSVP (NORWESCAP) - For more than 20 years, State Health Insurance Program volunteers have offered advice and counseling to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. Collectively, this group of 29 active volunteers has over 275 years of experience, on average assisting more than 400 people annually to resolve issues and questions about supplemental insurance, claims and billing problems and Medicare fraud. In the last two months of 2005, however, following the introduction of Medicare Part D, this group worked with an additional 600 individuals (for a total of 1,000 for the year), an increase directly attributed to questions about the new drug coverage plans. In an effort to keep the community well informed, the SHIP group not only worked with beneficiaries at SHIP sites, but also gave presentations at nutrition sites, senior centers and hospitals. Kenny Smith, Morristown Neighborhood House - Kenny Smith has dedicated the last 26 years of his life to the children of Morristown Neighborhood House. As Head Coach of the traveling teams—the New Jersey Panthers and the Junior Colonials—he has not only led the teams to many championships, but also touched the lives of countless children in and out of the community. Coach Kenny’s selfless commitment to creating a safe, productive and organized environment for local children, combined with his strong leadership and teaching skills, make him an invaluable community role model in Morristown. Arlene Sullivan, Learning Disabilities Association of NJ - Arlene Sullivan is an artist, an author and illustrator, and the co-founder of Changing Images Art Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the lives of people in traditional settings by bringing color and comfort through supervised art activities. Inspired by her own experience in a hospital pediatric ward with her infant son, Arlene’s desire was to create brighter and more cheerful environments for those in similar settings, or in Arlene’s words, “Medicine for the Soul”. In the past nine years, and with the help of more than 4,000 volunteers, Arlene has painted thousands of murals worldwide, in places as far away as South Africa and New Zealand. She was also recently commissioned by the former first lady to do a mural at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Maine. Fritz Weimerscheimer, - For more than 12 years and over 4,600 hours, Fritz Weimerscheimer has worked to assist and comfort patients in the oncology infusion treatment area at the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, devoting his time, skills and compassion to patients receiving chemotherapy treatments. His unique sense of humor and unselfish attitude provides both patients and caregivers unending support during especially difficult times. Patients are always Fritz’ first priority, and his determination to provide every service available—even if improvised—is always appreciated.
Ann Elizabeth Young - One of the youngest volunteers on the Fosterfields volunteer team, Ann Elizabeth Young has embraced the farm’s early 20th century history and culture in its entirety. She is often found clad in period clothing in the herb and heirloom vegetable gardens, where she completes design and planting, all while readily conversing with interested visitors. In Fosterfields’ two historic house-museums, Ann speaks knowledgably about the farmhouse family and its history, and has even role-played the farmer’s oldest daughter, Edna Woods. A high school honor student, Ann is not only an academic role model, but also a shining example of youth volunteerism. She is President of the local chapter of Amnesty International, and Vice President of Interact, where she established a pen pal program between local students and students on a southwest Navaho Reservation. She has also volunteered a summer in settlement houses in Northern Ireland, helping to resolve conflicts between Catholic and Protestant children. Anne Marie Zelenoy, - “Put me wherever you need me.” That’s the phrase most often heard from Anne Marie Zelenoy when asked to participate in any of the opportunities sponsored by Cendant’s PATH volunteer group. A part-time employee at Cendant, she has nonetheless never missed an event since PATH’s inception three years ago, and has taken on significant roles as well—creating and designing the organization’s banner, and advocating for donations to overseas service personnel via the Operation Outreach program. Her supervisors and fellow volunteer employees alike applaud her giving attitude and commitment to doing well for others.
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