2017 Gift Of The Heart Scholarship – Our Lady Of Mercy Academy

Woodbury NJ, March 29, 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 recipient is from Our Lady of Mercy Academy (OLMA) — Dana Durham.

When Dana was 12, she wrote to the Progresso Food Company to request soup donations; the company replied by sending a sizeable stack of cans. The feeling of having played some positive role in aiding her South Jersey community invigorated Dana, and drove her to search for further service opportunities.

Dana has worked with the Red Cross as a blood drive coordinator for the past two years. At Winslow high school, she participates in the Big Brother Big Sister program. According to Dana however, the Juvenile Conference Committee (JCC) is the most meaningful service project with which she’s been involved.

The JCC is a program that reviews minor criminal charges against juveniles. As a member, Dana helps to provide peers the opportunity to adjust their actions before they’re forced to appear in a courtroom. Dana explains that the best part of community service is the opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s life.

At OLMA, Dana is a member of Spanish club, Chorus Angelorum, Good Samaritan club and plays varsity softball. She was nominated for the Envision Law program, which aims to help motivated students interested in a career in law gain relevant experience. Additionally she serves as president of the National Honor Society.  Following graduation, Dana hopes to study law, and ultimately become a judge.

Congratulations are extended to Dana Durham as well as her proud family and friends. Her community service embodies a Gift of the Heart.

Next week’s featured recipients will be from Paulsboro 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.