2017 Gift Of The Heart – Gateway High School

Woodbury, NJ, March 7, 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 one thousand dollar 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 Gateway High School: Aidan Maldonado and Emily Minichino.

Aidan Maldonado

“For the strength of the pack is the wolf and the strength of the wolf is the pack.” Aidan Maldonado cites this Rudyard Kipling quote as a testament to the value of community service. In an increasingly isolated society, Aidan considers fostering community to be incredibly important. An individual harbors the ability to alter their society for the better, if only they choose to act.

One of Aidan’s most fulfilling volunteer activities is tutoring with the National Honor Society. His invested time has helped fellow students find academic success in math, physics, and history classes. In addition to tutoring, Aidan is a member of student council. As a member, he has contributed to blood drives in collaboration with both the Red Cross and his community.

Outside of school, Aidan engaged in service while working at Mission BBQ. The restaurant led initiatives to show their appreciation for veterans, gold star families, and servicemen. Past projects include fundraising for charities such as the United Service Organizations.

When he isn’t volunteering, Aidan is a lawyer on the mock trial team and competes with the Tennis and Soccer teams. Good work Aiden!

Emily Minichino

Emily has found that her service is best conducted through extracurricular organizations.

She’s had the pleasure of working with a number of clubs, including Rachel’s Challenge, FCCLA, Key Club and Book Club.

As a member of Rachel’s Challenge, Emily had the opportunity to visit the Pitman Pantry on several occasions to help unpack, organize and bag donated food with her fellow members. With the FCCLA, she has cooked meals for low-income families during the holiday season, and helped with a trick-or-treat event for special needs children.

The HOBY conference has been particularly influential in molding Emily’s perspective on service. After submitting an essay, Emily was selected to attend the leadership retreat on behalf of her school. The consequent weekend comprised of learning the most effective methods of enacting change, and what qualities define leaders. Emily explains that the conference served as both a positive experience and a moment of useful networking. From those three days, she found further opportunities for volunteer work.

Emily hopes to continue her community service throughout her entire life; the feeling brought by helping people is priceless. She notes: “the smallest acts of kindness can end up making a big impact…” Keep up the good work Emily!

Congratulations are extended to Aidan Maldonado and Emily Minichino, as well as their proud family and friends! Their community service embodies a Gift of the Heart.

Next week’s featured recipients will be from Glassboro 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 2017 scholarship winners, click here.