Gift of the Heart – Washington Township 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 Washington Township High School: Deven Patel and Christina Fath.

Deven Patel

Through community and school organizations, Deven Patel has had countless opportunities to volunteer. Deven explains, “Community service has always been a part of my life, and I hope to continue this throughout college and beyond.”

In Washington Township high school, Deven is a longstanding member of Interact, a student club dedicated to providing services to those in need. He participated in Monzo Madness, an 18-hour dance-a- thon dedicated to finding a cure for ALS. This annual event regularly raises over $20,000 in funds. Events such as this inspired Deven to run and ultimately accept the position of club president. In this role, he helps to plan and organize Interact events.

Additionally, much of Deven’s volunteer work has been completed through Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Whether planting flags for veterans or collecting donations for local homeless shelters, the aim of scout projects is to serve the community. When needed, he supports various Eagle Scout projects, such as creating a butterfly garden at the park or making game boards for children in hospitals. Following graduation, Deven aims to continue his service by studying chemical engineering. Great work Deven!

Christina Fath

For Christina Fath, volunteer work has played a critical role in her high school career. As a member of the Student Council she has organized countless events. On one occasion the student council organized a “sleep out” on the football field overnight. The event aimed to spread awareness for youth homelessness and raise funds for charities that address these issues.

Additionally Christina volunteers with PAWS, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society. As president of the organization, she helps to plan fundraisers for local animal shelters. One such event, Heroes with Paws, collected needed products for military forces’ K-9s. Similarly Stockings for Soldiers, planned in collaboration with the National Honor Society, collected needed goods for soldiers. With her local church, Christina volunteers in several respects by singing with the choir, teaching at vacation bible school, and as Eucharistic Minister.

She notes that volunteering is an important part of who she is, explaining that, “even a small act of kindness reaps a large reward in my heart.” Keep up the amazing volunteering Christina!

Sincere congratulations are extended to Washington Township High School recipients Deven Patel and Christina Fath as well as to their proud parents, family and friends! Next week, the featured Gift of the Heart 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 2018 scholarship winners, click here.