2016 Gift of the Heart – Woodstown High School

Woodbury, NJ July 3, 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 Woodstown High School, Rebecca Johnson and Mason Strawderman.

Rebecca Johnson

Rebecca’s favorite quote is from Booker T. Washington who said, “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”   When Rebecca was going through a rough time her freshman year, she decided to volunteer at the Special Olympics Summer Games. She was thrilled when she saw the look on the faces of the competing athletes who were just happy to be there. Rebecca forgot about her own problems and was amazed at the impact she had on a stranger’s life. From that day forward she knew she had a calling to help others that were less fortunate.

Rebecca has expanded her volunteer spirit to many different charities. She has volunteered at the local animal shelter, made meal bags for the hungry, participate in relays for life, and cleaned up the trash on our beaches. Rebecca has also helped women at Cornerstone Women’s Center and became a volunteer on the nursing floor of Elmer Hospital. Through clubs at her school, Rebecca participates in road and park trash clean ups, clothing drives, can food drives, and mentoring younger students. Rebecca says it best “people do not realize what an impact they have on other’s lives even if it is just something small, every act of kindness has a huge outcome.” Way to go, Rebecca!

Mason Strawderman

Mason believes giving back to his town and church are opportunities that are given to him. The summer before his freshman year, Mason went on a mission trip to the Emmaus Biblical Seminary in Haiti. He was exposed to the immense gratitude and hospitality of those who are less fortunate. Mason found that serving others satisfies something inside that nothing else can. He has channeled that feeling into many different community organizations.

Mason participated in the Hurricane Sandy Relief effort in North Jersey. He also completed mission trips to Albany and Philadelphia repairing houses and helping the community. Through his church, he has volunteered at summer camp. Mason has been a counselor, kitchen staff, and drummer and plans to return this year as well. For Mason, taking time to serve others isn’t a sacrifice but a privilege that he is grateful for and will continue in the future. Great job, Mason!

Congratulations are extended to Woodstown High School students Rebecca Johnson and Mason Strawderman as well as to their proud family and friends! Their community service to others exemplifies the true meaning of a Gift of the Heart!

This completes the Gift of the Heart recipients for Gloucester and Salem counties for 2016. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

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.