2017 Gift Of The Heart – Washington Township High School

Woodbury, NJ, May 23, 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 Washington Township High School: Olivia McGough and Matthew Venuti.

Olivia McGough

Volunteering has been an important part of Olivia McGough’s high school experience. Through her high school, she has had the opportunity to be involved with several organizations focused on providing services to the community.

Interact Club is an organization focused on engaging in community service. For the past two years, Olivia has served as co-president. While she has participated in and planned many events while holding her position, Olivia cites the Pacesetters Dance and Festival of Friends as her favorites. Both events are held for special needs adults, but are incredibly fun for those involved in planning as well. Olivia explains, “The Interact club has allowed me to participate and run events such as these for several years now, and I cannot think of a better way to spend my free time.”

Olivia also volunteers with the National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. Through these organizations, she helped plan Township Makes Cut, an event that lets volunteers donate their hair to cancer patients, and perform for community members at a charity event. Additionally, she participated in the 2016 Rotary Youth Leadership Conference, and the 2016 EntrePrep Summer Institute. You go Olivia!

Matthew Venuti

Throughout his childhood, Matthew Venuti was very involved in his community. He recalls the holidays as being a time when his family would collect donations for local families.

In high school, Matthew is involved with the Tri-M Music Honor Society and the Student Council Executive Board. Both organizations focus on volunteer work. As a member, Matthew has had the opportunity to help with numerous events. With Tri-M, he has performed at nursing homes and large charity concerts and participated in Monzo Madness, an eighteen-hour dance-a-thon fundraiser for charity.

With Student Council, Matthew volunteered to help plan the Homecoming dance and set up for the Senior Kickoff dance. He was involved in organizing Casino Night and Senior Citizen Prom, both held at local assisted living homes.

Additionally, Matthew is a member of French club, a peer counselor in the Freshman Transition program, the Washington Township Orchestra, and the National Honor Society. He believes, “Nothing is more rewarding than knowing you have helped someone in need or had a positive effect on them by doing something you love.” Great work Matthew!

Congratulations are extended to Olivia McGough and Matthew Venuti 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 West Deptford 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.