2016 Gift Of The Heart – Penns Grove High School

Woodbury, NJ May 30, 2016
For Immediate Release

The law firm of Hoffman DiMuzio has allocated close to a half a million dollars to its “Gift of the Heart” Community Service Scholarship Foundation. Forty-one graduating seniors from Gloucester & Salem County High Schools have been selected to receive a one thousand dollar scholarship for embodying the service ideals of the program. This week, the 2016 “Gift of the Heart” Hoffman DiMuzio Community Service Foundation recipients are from Penns Grove High School, Jordan Burkhardt and Jason Stefanski.

Jordan Burkhardt

Since Jordan was a child, her family has instilled in her the value and importance of helping others. To be selfless and care for others more than you do yourself. Jordan volunteers for “A Little Smile of South Jersey.” This organization helps local families in need. Jordan participated in a motorcycle toy run to DuPont Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. She helped sell tickets and organized the toys. At the hospital, she helped unload the toys and handed them out to the children. Jordan will never forget the faces of the children as well as their parents when handing out those toys.

Jordan also created her own community service project entitled Penns Grove Blanket Bouquet. This project was based on the idea of giving flowers to someone who is ill. Instead, Jordan gives out colorful blankets resembling flowers to cancer patients. Jordan explains patients receiving chemotherapy tend to get cold during treatment. The blankets help comfort them during this difficult time. Jordan’s motto comes from Gandhi, “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Great job, Jordan!

Jason Stefanski

For Jason, for each hour he serves others, someone benefits from it and there is no better feeling than that. Since he started high school, Jason has taken a much more active role in his community. One of his favorite activities is helping to coach at the Calvary Church’s World Cup Soccer Camp. This is a weeklong camp each summer that lasts up to 5 hours each day. Jason will work with the youngest age group 6-8 years old. He enjoys teaching them basic soccer skills while giving them something to remember.

At school, Jason is also involved in Project Graduation. He helps raise money throughout the school year for a special night for seniors after graduation to create an alcohol and drug free night. Their fundraising activities include road cleanups, coin drops, clothing drives and sub sales. Through National Honor Society, Jason also helps run the concessions stand for his school’s boys and girls basketball teams. He also assists in events throughout the year such as a pancake breakfast with Santa. Jason enjoys these activities as it builds community pride and trust and loves being part of it. Way to go, Jason!

Congratulations are extended to Penns Grove High School students Jordan Burkhardt and Jason Stefanski as well as to their proud family and friends! Their community service to others exemplifies the true meaning of a Gift of the Heart!

Next week’s featured recipients will be from Pennsville High School.                      

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 2016 scholarship winners, click here.