PSEG Celebrates the Power of Volunteerism
December 01 2008 - 10:06AM
PR Newswire (US)
Recognizes Exemplary Employee Volunteers and Awards $34,000 to the
Non-Profit Organizations they Support NEWARK, N.J., Dec. 1
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PSEG will celebrate the power of
volunteers Wednesday at a ceremony recognizing exemplary employee
volunteers and rewarding the nonprofit organizations they support.
Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells will be part of the
festivities, helping the company award $34,000 in grants to
nonprofits as part of its annual Recognizing Excellence in
Volunteerism program. "Though our employees expend a great deal of
energy at work, they still manage to find time to give back and
make their communities better," said Ralph Izzo, PSEG chairman,
president, and CEO. "This year again, we honor their commitment and
support their efforts. They are truly remarkable." The nonprofits
receiving the grants are as diverse as the employees who support
them. This year's recipient organizations provide valuable services
for youth, elderly, low-income families and schools, and
concentrate their efforts on areas such as substance abuse
prevention, conservation, animal rescue, safety and cultural
education. Here is a list of awardees. $10,000 Betty Flood Award of
Excellence: Given to team led by Rich Dwyer of Bayonne, NJ New
Jersey Tae Kwon Do for Youth Organization This team of PSEG
employees is working to make a difference in the lives of at-risk
children growing up in tough Jersey City neighborhoods. They are
providing students with guidance and mentorship, and showing them
how they can make a difference in their community. The organization
has helped the kids organize toy, coat and book drives, plant
community gardens, clear vacant lots and riverfronts and volunteer
at community events. The kids involved with the group are thriving
academically and athletically, and learning to take the world into
their own hands. $ 3,000 Award of Achievement: James Christiano of
Colonia, NJ Eagle Rock Reservation Conservancy A strong advocate of
open space preservation, Christiano works to help restore and
maintain Eagle Rock Reservation. The grant money given by PSEG will
be used to purchase educational materials for visitors. Cheryl
Olcheski of Kearny, NJ American Red Cross of Northern NJ Olcheski
spends 150 hours a year responding to reports of accidents. She is
often the first Red Cross representative on the scene, working with
emergency management officials to assess damage and the urgent
needs of victims. She works to ensure that people affected have
food, shelter and clothing, and that they are aware of government
agencies and programs that can help. Karen Roots of Salem, NJ
Positive Impact Movement, Inc. An incredibly visible leader, Roots
has spent years working to make her community safer. As President
of this nonprofit organization, she works closely with local
officials, organizing town hall forums, events and programs aimed
at helping protect youth and senior citizens. David Rower of
Cranford, NJ The Street Light Mission, Inc. Rower spends more than
500 hours a year helping people in Union and Essex County survive
poverty, substance abuse and homelessness. He and his wife provide
the downtrodden with warm meals and shelter, as well as guidance
about how to live productively. PSEG's grant money will allow the
nonprofit to buy washing machines to launder clothes. $1,000 Award
of Merit: Scott Bickhart of Pennsville. NJ Southern NJ Council, Boy
Scouts of America Bickhart leads a pack of Cub Scouts, a troop of
Boy Scouts and advises a co-ed unit called Venture Crew 252. He has
given more than 1,000 hours this year in an effort to teach young
people about values and ethics. Susanna Chiu of East Brunswick, NJ
Chinese American Cultural Association Mid-Jersey Chinese School
Chiu is Principal of this school, which is promoting cultural
diversity and understanding, in addition to providing Chinese
language instruction to students who might not otherwise have this
opportunity. Lisa Coons of Bayonne, NJ Angels for Animals Network
Coons works to rescue and find adoptive homes for homeless and
abused animals, in addition to coordinating spay and neuter
programs for feral cats in neighborhoods in Northern New Jersey.
Robert A. Green of Colonia, NJ Colonia Volunteer Fire Department in
Woodbridge Township Green is Assistant Fire Chief at a department
involved with firefighting and specialized rescue throughout
Middlesex County. He works around the clock to protect his
neighbors from fires, accidents, floods, snow storms and other
elements and recently led a team that helped rescue firefighters
trapped in high waters during a Nor'easter. Michael Gaffney of
Rutherford, NJ Rutherford Little League Gaffney spends hundreds of
hours every year -- coaching, scheduling, managing, driving, and
repairing ball fields -- in an effort to provide a stable facility
and framework for kids to grow and learn to love sports. Francis
Grenier of Woodstown, NJ Bishop Guilfoyle School Grenier gives his
time and expertise to help the school gain access to technology and
integrate it into the classroom. In addition to his hands-on work
with the school's computers, he is helping students explore their
interest in science and build self-confidence. Bob Henriksen of
Landenberg, PA Project R.A.K.E. Foundation, Inc. Henriksen leads a
team of teenage volunteers who provide free home repair to low
income people in southern and southeastern Pennsylvania. He shows
the team how to repair roofs, fix plumbing, install ramps and
perform any other needed repairs. Not only does this work help
people in need, it also teaches young people the value of giving
back, and appreciating what they have. Howard Londner and Walter
Demeraski of Fairlawn, NJ Fair Lawn Borough Fire Co. #3, Inc.
Combined, these two men have served Fair Lawn as volunteer
firefighters for more than 50 years. They give their time freely,
at all hours of the day, in an effort to keep the community safe.
Tina Malinak of Howell, NJ Marine Mammal Stranding Center Malinak
helps educate people about marine mammals and sea turtles, in an
effort to empower them to help protect the environment. William
Metts of Rutherford, NJ Northern NJ Council, Boy Scouts of America
Metts is helping the organization find support at a time when
resources are dwindling. Thanks in large part to his contributions,
the nonprofit is bringing scouting programs to new communities and
training additional leaders. William Quinn of Westwood, NJ Care
Plus NJ, Inc. A volunteer firefighter, Quinn is an experienced fire
safety educator who works with the Bergen County Juvenile Fire
Prevention Program. Through this nonprofit organization, he is
helping to develop curriculum and teach young people and their
families to avoid the dangers of fire. Donna Vanderhook of Wayne,
NJ Friends of Wayne Animals Vanderhook works to help homeless
animals find permanent, loving homes. As President of the
nonprofit, she is involved with fundraising and animal rescue and
helps to educate the community about animal cruelty and proper pet
care. "These award winners are proof of the profound difference
individuals and organizations can make through volunteerism and a
steadfast commitment to helping their fellow citizens and
communities," said Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells. "We all
should be inspired by their example, and they have our pledge to
continue expanding outlets to assist anyone that desires to give
back in any way, shape or form." The employees will be formally
recognized Wednesday by Secretary Wells, PSEG senior management and
their peers and at a celebration at the company's headquarters.
Representatives from the nonprofit organizations supported by the
employees will also take part. Photos available upon request.
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) has a long tradition of
caring for New Jersey's people and communities. Each year, the
company and its employees invest millions of dollars and thousands
of hours to improve the quality of life in New Jersey. The
company's culture dictates that service to customers and community
go hand-in-hand. DATASOURCE: Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)
CONTACT: Denise Denk, Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG),
+1-973-430-6336 Web Site: http://www.pseg.com/
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