2017 Gift Of The Heart – Woodstown High School

Woodbury, NJ June 14, 2017
For Immediate Release

The law firm of Hoffman DiMuzio has allocated close to half a million dollars to its “Gift of the Heart” Community Scholarship Foundation. Forty-one graduating seniors from Gloucester and Salem County high schools have been selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship for embodying the service ideals of the program. This week, the 2017 “Gift of the Heart” Hoffman DiMuzio Community Service Foundation recipients are from Woodstown High School — Mikayla Morrell and James Bates.

Mikayla Morrell

At a young age Mikayla Morrell was diagnosed with Celiac disease. Her personal experience dealing with, and ultimately overcoming, her illness inspired her to create ‘Silly Acts for Celiac.’ To raise money for research, students performed various acts in a talent show. Ultimately the fundraiser has raised over $5,000 for Beyond Celiac, an organization dedicated to awareness and research. Mikayla explains that she believes there’s immense value in all levels of impact, even if only one person benefits from a given project.

In addition to creating this fundraiser, Mikayla has volunteered with Inspira Elmer. For one summer she regularly visited patients in the orthopedic ward and aided them in whatever way she could. Primarily this involved providing a friendly person to talk to during a trying time. During this summer she also went on a Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic where she helped to provide supplies to certain communities, decorate a room for an orphanage, and build a house.

In her school, Mikayla is a member of the National Honor Society, Concert and Marching Band, Philosophy Club, and the Woodwind Ensemble.

James Bates

There are many means by which a student can give back to his or her community. James explains that his interest in playing the trumpet led him to perform at Memorial Day services and Taps for Veterans Day. He also has helped to run the school blood drive, and aid his church chorus with their equipment set up and sound checks. Beyond these acts of volunteering however, James cites Boy Scouts as one the most substantial means by which he can support his community.

With Boy Scouts, James has participated in road cleanups and helped with various Eagle Scout projects. These projects have ranged from retiling a church floor to building a rest area at a ferry boat port. James also planned and executed his own Eagle Scout project. While visiting Fort Mott in Pennsville, he saw that an old communications room was in need of repairs. It began as a concrete room, overgrown with moss. James endeavored to power wash the room, paint the walls, and install two doors to safeguard the space.

In his school, James is a member of marching, concert, and jazz band as well as the National Honor Society, Chess, and AV clubs.

Congratulations are extended to Ashley Campbell and Kyle Bailey as well as their proud family and friends. Their community service embodies a Gift of the Heart.

Click here to read more about the Hoffman DiMuzio Gift Of The Heart Scholarship Foundation.

If you’d like to see the rest of the 2017 scholarship winners, click here.