2018 Gift Of The Heart – Penns Grove High School

The law firm of Hoffman DiMuzio has allocated close to half a million dollars to its Gift of the Heart Community Scholarship Foundation. Forty-nine graduating seniors from Gloucester, Cumberland, 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 2018 Gift of the Heart Hoffman DiMuzio Community Service Foundation recipients are from Penns Grove High School: Zaria Robinson and Raymond Gilbert.

Zaria Robinson

Over the course of her high school career, Zaria Robinson has participated in a wide range of volunteer activities. In total, she has completed over 400 hours of community service.

For her church, Zaria has taken time to help with both the Community Harvest Festival and Community Christmas Party. As programs arise, such as manning the sound room for morning services, her responsibilities shift accordingly. During the holidays, Zaria and her mom fill book bags with needed supplies and hand them out to homeless people. Additionally, Zaria will travel to nursing homes for Christmas caroling.

In her school, she has helped with events such as food drives, Breakfast with Santa, Walk-a-thons, and the annual Red Cross Blood Drive. Regarding her love of community service, Zaria believes strongly in a quote by former U.S. President Barack Obama: “The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. lf you go out and make something good happen, you will fill the world with hope and you will fill yourself with hope.”

Zaria is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Congress, Peer Mediation and Peer Leadership. She has also maintained perfect attendance. Following graduation she will pursue a career as a music therapist. Thank you for your services Zaria!

Raymond Gilbert

In his community, Raymond Gilbert has volunteered in a myriad of activities. From his immediate neighborhood, to within his school, Raymond has provided support for the miscellaneous needs of his community as they’ve arisen.

During the summer, Raymond volunteers on a weekly basis to maintain his neighbors’ properties. Should someone be unable to mow their lawn, he ensures that they have the necessary support to keep their yard clean. Additionally, should parents in his community need a child caretaker for an evening, Raymond regularly provides babysitting services, free of charge. In the past he’s also taken care of his neighbors’ pets as well.

In addition to working at his part-time job, Raymond has been a member of his school’s soccer, track and tennis teams. He also dedicates time to his online graphic design business, in which he creates personalized art. Following his high school graduation, he intends to follow his passion and study Graphic Design. Keep up the great work Raymond!

Sincere congratulations are extended to Penns Grove High School students Zaria Robinson and Raymond Gilbert, as well as to their proud parents, family and friends! Next week, the featured Gift of the Heart 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 2018 scholarship winners, click here.