Individually we are special, together we are spectacular

Left to right, Judy Leone, Aaliya D’Sylva and Carolyn Cirigliano volunteer at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen’s Thrift Store, located in Phillipsburg, NJ.  Catholic Charities responded to 11,224 requests for food and clothing in  FY2016 and depends heavily on its voulnteers to extend the service they can provide to individuals and families in Warren County.

The room was full, and enthusiasm was high as volunteers for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen gathered for a volunteer appreciation luncheon held at the Willows Restaurant & Catering in Asbury, NJ last month. Volunteer Coordinator Joshua Santana addressed the crowd, and quoted Eric J. Schneidewind, President and Volunteer Spokesperson for AARP, “Planning to live to 100? Volunteer! A growing body of research tells us that those who volunteer have lower mortality rates and less depression, along with a greater sense of control over one’s life and higher rates of self-esteem and happiness.” The day included a special talk by author and local historian, Jeffrey Finegan, Sr. who is a noted speaker on the topic of George Washington.  Finegan tied history to modern day by sharing a not widely known fact:  George Washington’s service was that of volunteer.

Local Historian and Author Jeff Finegan, Sr. addresses volunteers at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen Appreciation Luncheon held in June, 2017 at the Willows in Asbury NJ.  Fifty volunteers, plus three staff and three guests attended the luncheon.

The Catholic Charities Thrift store and Social Service Center are staffed largely by 60 individuals who volunteer their time on a regular basis.  Volunteers in attendance spanned generations, and included mother-daughter, and husband-wives teams.  The volunteers, who share a special comradery, took a moment to reflect on their volunteer duties, which included helping in the thrift store and food pantry, sorting clothing, food, holiday gifts and providing for their distribution to clients, emergency shopping for those in need, food delivery to the elderly, operation of a summer lunch program, runs to grocery stores, ensuring vehicles are properly inspected, paperwork, case management, and other special assignments.  In FY 2016, the Social Service Center responded to more than 11,000 requests for food and clothing. Santana told the guests, “Individually we are special, together we are spectacular.”

 

Volunteer Coordinator Joshua Santana greets volunteer, Don Barbadora who donates his time to work in the Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen’s food pantry on Monday afternoons with his wife, Gail.  The couple is part of a group of 60 volunteers that keep the Social Service Center on South Main Street in Phillipsburg running.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen serves all people in need, from all walks of life, all religions, and all economic levels.  To learn about volunteer opportunities and the more than 100 programs operated by catholic Charities in the counties of Hunterdon, Middlesex , Somerset, and Warren, click on our home tab and browse!
 
About Jeffrey Finegan: A native of New Jersey, Jeffrey E. Finegan Sr.’s interest in history spans from the Norman Conquest of England to World War II with a concentration in George Washington, the American Civil War and historic architecture. He is the creator of the "I Knew George Washington" series and author of the three books that currently make up the series.  Jeff is available for lectures and book signings.