Congratulations To The 2024 Gift Of The Heart Scholarship Recipients!

Clearview High School

Eliza Shenk

Eliza fills her free time with giving back to the community in every way possible. From volunteering at a local food pantry, YPATT, to driving to Camden, NJ leading student-based meetings at the local Ronald McDonald House, to utilizing her skills of photography to give back and promote organizations around her.  Applying freshman year to the TAC, Teen Advisory Council of the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey, she was scared, thinking she had no chance at getting into such a big organization, but after an intense interview process, she started her journey at the RMH. Beginning as a student member, she began to jump for leadership positions, as the Marketing Chair and then won the election to become Vice Student Director.   Overall, individually raising over $4,000 throughout her time was never the highlight, instead being able to immerse herself in the house at every meeting, volunteering for breakfasts, in-house activities, and being able to see the families this work was going towards was the best takeaway. Eliza also became heavily involved at the local food pantry, Your Place At The Table, YPATT, and created and organized dozens of food drives in the community, providing Clearview students with the chance to give back to the community. Spending weekends running events, and volunteering at monthly food distributions, being educated on the reality of food insecurity. Volunteering her photography skills to capture Virtua’s NICU Reunion, one that she attended a decade before, Eliza was able to give back to individuals that had saved her life 17 years prior.

Shawn Zou

Shawn has contributed 200+ hours in community service, including park cleaning, fundraising, and STEM showcases. But four of these activities – tutoring, library volunteering, inviting Lockheed Martin (LM), and making AI chatbots for small businesses has emerged as his most cherished endeavor.  Sean participated in Clearview’s Academic Assistance Program, aiding fellow students every Thursday. Witnessing their faces light up with understanding brings Shawn immense joy and fuels his desire to assist others.  Shawn also volunteers in the Mullica Hill Library. Shelving books and making children’s crafts might seem like simple tasks, but they knit his community together. Shawn’s commitments were recognized through the Clearview Kindness award and the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award.  Shawn also realized about 20% of Clearview seniors join the workforce right after graduation and felt a need to expand their career options. After discovering LM’s apprenticeship program, which offers high school graduates full-time job opportunities, Shawn contacted LM’s program manager and successfully brought her to Clearview.  Additionally, Shawn created 20+ free AI chatbots to help local businesses benefit from AI. After 2 months of effort, Raccoon Valley Swim Club is boosting user experience with Shawn’s chatbot, and several businesses like A-Team Driving School acquired extensive firsthand experience with AI to better equip themselves for the future.

Delsea Regional High School

Garbriella Szwed

Community service is a big part of Gabriella’s family’s life. Her father has been a volunteer firefighter since he was 16. Gabriella remembers growing up at the firehouse and helping the firefighters clean the floor, decorate for the holidays, help with fire camp and so much more. When Gabriella was in between 6th and 7th grade, Franklin Township formed a field hockey program and she was so excited. Gabriella was able to grow with the sport and teach younger girls ball skills and stick work. She would help with coaching the little 4-5 year olds and hope that they would fall in love with field hockey like she did. Gabriella is currently a captain on Delsea’s Field Hockey team and continues to dedicate her time to helping her teammates any way she can. Gabriella has volunteered and worked Franklinville day for the last 3 years. As a team they do community service by mulching Delsea Middle School, collecting donations for cancer research and going to Reutter School to help with the field hockey clinic. Community service will always be a part of Gabriella’s life. Gabriella hopes her community service has helped girls build a safe place, gain confidence, and work as a team.

Luke Dinkels

As a Boy Scout since first grade, Luke has been fortunate to participate in many service projects within his community. They have completed roadside cleanups, raked leaves at local churches, organized holiday food drives, and cleaned community walking trails. In 2020, Luke completed his Eagle Scout project. He constructed an outdoor classroom for his former preschool Richwood Preschool at Ewan Methodist Church. He rebuilt broken fences and landscaped and mulched the church grounds as well. The project taught Luke leadership skills, but more importantly, it showed him what it felt like to give back to a place that once gave to him. Over the past 5 years, Luke has also volunteered as a delivery packer for a local food pantry Your Place at the Table (YPATT). He packs monthly orders for homebound clients who cannot come to the pantry to pick up food. Luke also assists with their holiday food drives, picking up and sorting donations, and carrying bags to clients’ cars on distribution days. Meeting clients always gives Luke a tremendous sense of pride. At Delsea High School, Luke is part of the Friends of Save program. Friends of Save gives peers with special needs the ability to participate in sports and other after school activities. Through this program, Luke has developed friendships with the students. Although not physically helping them, Luke knows he is helping them to feel included and share in similar opportunities as other students. It makes Luke happy to see each of them during the school day. Whether serving Thanksgiving meals with the National Honors Society, assisting at Boy Scouts, YPATT, Friends of Save, or his church events, service has always been a fixture in Luke’s life.

Deptford High School

Autumn Daniels

Autumn’s community service hours are very versatile and meaningful. Autumn grew up in a Christian household, so she was always in the church no matter what. She did some of her community service in the church which would include helping clean up the altar and around the church for about an hour. Autumns’ church, More Than a Conqueror Deliverance Ministry, that is based in Brooklyn, New York was not the only church where she did some of her community service hours Autmn also did some in the church’s Trinidad branch. Out of all the volunteer hours and community service hours this was the one that touches Autumn’s heart the most. Last May Autumn went to Trinidad to not only take care of her late grandmother, but there were also a lot of opportunities to give back to her community. Autumn brought down a lot of her clothes and shoes that she did not use anymore and gave them to the young girls around her age. Even though the clothes weren’t all brand new, the look of happiness on the children’s faces was so heartwarming. Something so little meant the world told them. While I was there, we also cooked some meals and handed them out, outside of the church. Autmn also volunteered to go to a couple of elementary schools and read to them about Red Ribbon week and also went to Pine Acres for Read Across America, where she got to share her love of reading with the elementary students. Giving back and helping others is always a beautiful thing to do.

Gabriel Pino

Service to country is a family tradition for Gabriel. Many of his family members, including his father who played taps in the Navy, have instilled in him the importance of giving back to the community. Gabriel first played taps for the Oak Valley Veterans Memorial Day ceremony in 2018. Gabriel has come to truly understand the significance of playing taps alongside his father, a veteran, for the Veterans Committee. Gabriel said it is an indescribable feeling to have veterans in their 90’s come up to him, shake his hand, and thank him for his performance. Gabriel has also performed the Star-Spangled Banner at various school functions, including the convocation for the start of the school year for the entire Deptford Township School District, middle school playoff games, and marching band home shows. As a member of the jazz combo band for multiple years, Gabriel has performed for the Danny Greene Foundation, which was created to honor a former Deptford High School football player who passed away. Gabriel is grateful to have been able to share his love for music by singing and playing multiple instruments, as well as being a leader and mentor to younger students in his school and community. Gabriel has dedicated countless hours to working with individuals of all ages. Looking towards the future, Gabriel is excited for the opportunity to continue nurturing his passion for music and sharing it with audiences worldwide, while always giving back to his community.

Gateway High School

Francis Scher

Francis’ volunteer work has had an impact on both school and community. He was a mentor for a middle school student in his high school’s mentoring program. Francis was also involved with a pop-up community outreach event for an initiative called “Wheels of Change.” “Wheels of Change” is a local organization that donated items like clothing, toys, and even infant supplies to families in need. The event volunteered for was a pop-up community outreach event in the spring of 2022. Francis helped in a few ways during the event: first helped sort donated clothes, then aided in unloading a trailer and setting up the tables, and also helped people find what they needed. The donations really helped those in need, it was gratifying to know that people did not need to decide if they should replace their shoes or have food for the day. Francis was also part of the mentoring program at his high school. Francis was paired with a middle school student who needed some guidance in transitioning from elementary to middle school. The child Francis was paired with was very shy and did not have good conversation skills. Since he had no phone or social media accounts, Francis used the school email to keep in contact. The volunteer work Francis participated in has had a positive impact on his community.

Kaylee Glass

As part of the Girls Career Institute program, she attended Rutgers New Brunswick. They were charged with completing five hours of community service each day. The first day she helped dress baby dolls that are given to Alzheimer patients to calm them as part of Operation Cuddly Comfort. Kaylee also made no-sew blankets for cancer patients. The last project was to create a full box of toiletries for girls who do not have access to feminine products. Kaylee now realizes that she wants to put herself out there and do as much as she can to help people in need.

Glassboro High School

Isabella Marini

Isabella actively volunteers in two different places throughout the school year. She began volunteering at TOPSPORTS which is an organization that is dedicated to helping children with special needs learn how to play sports, get active and make friends. Isabella was paired with a partner every Saturday morning for two hours during the soccer, basketball and baseball seasons. Although she was nervous at first, this became Isabella’s favorite act of volunteerism. Isabella also volunteers at her church by being an assistant catechist teacher for children during the summer. Not only is she working with children, but Isabella is strengthening her own faith.

Adiaha Hazeley

Adiaha has always been taught “Give, and you will receive”. One Christmas Adiaha and her sisters were instructed to gift toys that were given to them to other children. It took Adiaha a few years to realize it truly was a gift to her. Adiaha volunteers with an organization called Sierra Leone Underprivileged Youth. They collect toys, clothes, food and other essentials. Adiaha truly loves the act of being able to help others. As a member of Interact Club, Adiaha enjoys many activities, but her favorite is a visit to a nursing home where she sat and talked with older people about some of their best days. Adiaha also baked cookies to staff appreciation as a member of Friend of Rachel Club. Adiaha could not wait to hand the cookies out and to see the beautiful smiles and knowing they felt appreciated.

Gloucester County Institute of Technology

Shirley Jenkins

Every year of high school, Shirley was part of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and now she is the Community Service Chair. Shirley has participated in many events such as the Out of Darkness Walk, Breakfast with Santa and the Color Run to raise awareness for Autism. Shirley has been working with many councils such as Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Council. Within that council Shirley helped events that make minorities feel recognized. Including Black History Month celebration, Multicultural Day and more. Also of note was Shirley’s participation in Peer to Peer, which was a three-day anti-bullying training session with representatives of the Anti-Defamation League. She was trained on identifying and stopping bullying, racism, discrimination and more. This led up to Shirley becoming a Certified Peer Trainer carrying out anti-bullying workshops with students and staff to put an end to bullying. Shirley felt responsible for leaving a lasting impact on her schools’ community and is extremely proud of the work she has accomplished for her school.

Conner DeJesus

Conner has had the privilege of engaging in various community service activities including as a volunteer at Cathedral Kitchens, multiple blood drives and helping run an event called Goliathon which is a tiered obstacle race whose goal is to bring clean drinking water to developing countries. Conner’s work at Cathedral Kitchen we eye-opening. He witnessed first-hand the impact that a warm meal can have on someone. Whereas Conner’s participation in blood drives you do not see the recipients, but you gain a sense of fulfillment knowing that your contribution could potentially make such an impact on someone’s life. All of these experiences have not only shaped Conner’s perspective on the importance of giving back but have also taught him valuable lessons about empathy and compassion.

Kingsway High School

MaKayla White

For the last two years, MaKayla has been an ambassador at Kingsway which involves alot of leadership. MaKayla has toured new students as well as mentored freshmen as part of a new program. MaKayla’s involvement with the freshmen doesn’t end in September, she continues to check up on them throughout the year. MaKayla is also a volunteer with TOPSports which is an outreach program helping special needs people in the community. Joining this program was MaKayla’s best experience by seeing that the act of teaching children to shoot a basketball or learning to dribble brings them so much joy. In the process of working with her church, MaKayla has collected games for the elderly. They will bring the games to nursing homes and play the games with the residents. This brings joy to people, especially during the holidays when some may feel lonely because they aren’t with family. No one should spend the holidays alone and that is the reason MaKayla created this. Volunteering in her school and community has taught MaKayla to appreciate everything that she has.

Aryan Bhagat

Aryan attributes his high school to his participation in the Kumon math program and its tutors. Through his participation in Kumon since the age of three he was able to later teach the next generation of students to embrace the trials of learning. This time at the other end of the table, Aryan felt compelled to spend longer hours with the students who needed extra instruction. The same as his mentors did for him. Aryan also founded a physics club to teach physics to his peers in an approachable way. In his community, Aryan wishes to establish collaborative and supportive environments for learning and growth, just like that of his Kumon and physics communities.

Paulsboro High School

Alaysia Bumpers

Community service plays an important role in Alaysia’s life. Alaysia is involved in many organizations that are related to doing community service or giving back, like S.U.R.E., National Honor Society, Big Brother Big Sister, Soccer Cleanups, and more. Alaysia’s journey of giving back began in 6th grade, when she was first inducted into the junior national honor society at Loudenslager Elementary School. Alaysia began doing small acts of kindness, such as picking up garbage, walking people’s dogs, and helping kids with homework. Although it was challenging to volunteer during COVID, it did not stop Alaysia from giving back. Alaysia also joined S.U.R.E. and Big Brother Big Sister. S.U.R.E. is an organization that finds ways to spread kindness to both kids and adults around the school. They do things like week of respect and the senior citizens lunch and meet every Thursday to find new ways to get others to spread kindness and respect. Big Brother Big Sister is another organization which Alaysia joined to help the younger kids coming into a new school. By the time Alaysia got inducted into the National Honor Society in her junior year, her community service involvement had doubled to more cleanups, more setting up events, and more general helping out. Alaysia hopes that when she enters college and begins this new stage of her life, she will still be involved in community service activities.

Josiah Brown

Ever since Josiah was younger both his mom and grandparents always instilled the belief that the right thing to do is to treat others how you want to be treated. Whether it was simply using manners, holding the door open for people coming behind you, or helping clean up his community. Since Josiah’s birthday was in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month, his mom would take Josiah and his sister to the annual breast cancer walk to volunteer. Josiah also volunteered with the Wawa Foundation at the Welcome America Event handing out snacks and hoagies throughout Philadelphia. He also volunteered with the Sigma Beta Brotherhood club, and his high school’s National Honor Society chapter, the annual Juneteenth remembrance and Wawa Tour de Shore event. While volunteering with his high school’s National Honor Society chapter, Josiah performed more manual labor, including helping build a new playground for the town’s middle school, as well as chaperoning the elementary school’s fun day.

Pitman High School

Ellie Wisniewski

During her sophomore year, the first year of being in the new high school, Ellie shut herself out and lived a miserable year. In her junior year Ellie turned her life around. Ellie pushed herself out of her comfort zone and began to involve herself with school and community. Ellie joined Key Club which is a student-led organization, its parent organization being the Kiwanis Club. Through Key Club, Ellie volunteered at school events such as the Home Band Tournament, One Act Drama Plays, the Drama Photoshoot Fundraiser, the Happy Feet Sock Drive, the Food Drive, the Elementary School concerts, the Pitman Youth Council’s Women’s’ Drive, and the Pitman Speedball Tournament. Through Key Club Ellie also helped out at a local thrift store, Fig Leaf Thrift, by sorting and organizing donations. Ellie worked for Rescue Kitty, a cat rescue organization, to help advertise cats who were up for adoption. Ellie also volunteered for the annual Pitman Egg Scramble, where she assisted in hiding eggs for Easter egg hunts. As Ellie started to find joy in volunteering, she began to volunteer outside of Key Club and school. That was when Ellie found the Miss Pitman Pageant, in which she had been volunteering for two years helping backstage with props, microphones, helping the girls get ready, etc. The Miss Pitman Pageant allows Ellie to get to know an amazing group of girls and to help them feel confident and perfect for such a special occasion. Ellie also found the Angels of God Outreach, a community outreach that works to help the community through kindness. Ellie also worked as a volunteer leader for the GeoLocal Explorer’s Camp. After starting to consistently volunteer, Ellie discovered that volunteering helps her improve her physical and mental health with activities that keep her moving and show her how much she has to be thankful for. “Although it may not seem like you are doing a lot, it is the little things that count.” As Ellie continued to volunteer, she noticed that the little contributions she made have helped benefit her community as a whole.

Colin Ambrosius

Colin has participated in numerous extracurricular activities, actively involved and led numerous clubs. A significant area of pride includes leading the Multicultural Club, where Colin managed culturally rich events, creating a deeper understanding of others through delicious foods, captivating decorations, and information sessions. Recently, Colin assumed the lead of the SADD Club, advocating for a safer school environment through impactful morning announcements and scheduling of upcoming activities. Colin has received the nomination to be the Head of Photography for the Yearbook Club. As a member of the varsity football, basketball, and baseball teams from 9th to 12th grade, Colin demonstrated leadership on and off the field, mentoring players and fostering a sense of unity within the team. Colin had the opportunity to volunteer at the Gloucester County 4H Fair and coach various youth teams. Colin dedicated time to the NJ Special Olympics, assuming the role of coach and manager. Colin‘s interest in veterinary studies led him to volunteer as a Social Media Manager and Strategist for Lauren’s Lost Cats, a non-profit animal welfare program. As a volunteer at the Adventure Aquarium, Colin had a variety of responsibilities such as ensuring regular animal feeding schedules, collecting specimens and data for onsite veterinarians, educating visitors about animal safety, fostering a deeper understanding of wildlife conservation and ethical interaction with captive animals. Through Colin’s active involvement and dedication to clubs, athletics, and various volunteer opportunities, he has consistently demonstrated a strong dedication to community service and civic involvement.

Washington Township High School

Peyton Bachich

During her freshman year, Peyton did mask sales before the start of school and a clean-up for Rowan University. She has also helped with blood drives for Interact. This was also the first year that they set up pacesetters to dance for students with special needs. Peyton started getting involved in Interact during her sophomore year and attended and helped with all of the events. Peyton also volunteered and helped organize donations for a clothing drive. Peyton has volunteered to help parents who were going to back to school at night, coming up with activities and things to do for their kids. She has also walked through Washington Lake Park and picked up trash through the different trails. Peyton has been in Interact all four years of her high school career and in all of those years she did Turkey Trot; which raises money for CHOP, Monzo; which raises money for ALS, blood drives, festival of friends; which is a carnival put together for people in the community with special needs, Josh the otter; teaching kids about water safety, and trunk or treat for kids in the community. Peyton became president of Interact this year, so she has been really involved in setting up and getting people involved in events.

Edward Mulvihill

Eddie has had numerous opportunities to give back to those around him. However, one of the most notable is the annual Festival of Friends that takes place at the high school. Students volunteer their time to create a station for the festival, where community members with special needs or disabilities come and have fun and play games. The games are always so fun, but the part that impacts Eddie is just the conversations that he gets to have. Eddie never feels like this event is a commitment. Instead, it feels like a blessing. So, while he is constantly doing things to give back to the community, in a sense, the community is constantly giving back to Eddie at the same time, and for this he is eternally grateful.

West Deptford Township High School

Jescenia Diaz

Throughout high school Jescenia has been very involved in her school and community. With the help of Key Club, she was able to put a lot of her time to use by helping others. Jescenia visited Cathedral Kitchen as well as an elderly center called Brightview numerous times. Jescenia also helped younger girls learn the fundamentals of basketball during the summers. She would love to share her favorite sport with the girls. Another favorite event was the Volleyball Marathon where the club would raise money for charity by students playing in a volleyball tournament. Jescenia also loved taking part in group activities after school such as making PB&J sandwiches to packing different kinds of foods and necessities for the homeless. Jescenia would also participate in the West Deptford Little League clean up each year where she has raked leaves, painted fences and added dirt to the fields to get the fields ready for the little ones to play. Jescenia loves helping others as much as she can; not doing it simply for volunteer hours but for the enjoyment of it.

Carly McKinney

Carly was happy to be able to write about her community service experiences and volunteering as they have been an integral part of her life. They have provided Carly with valuable lessons and a profound sense of purpose. Carly has volunteered at local events revolving around the West Deptford Center Stage Players for the past three summers. She has built sets and designed their productions. Carly has also worked with the local non-profit organization called Wheels of Change. This organization provides money, food, clothing and necessities to women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Carly has decided to pursue a degree in communications in college because she recognizes the relationship between education and community engagement. Carly’s dedication to her volunteer work, coupled with her academic pursuits reflects her commitment to creating positive change.

Williamstown High School

Destiny Lauletta

Community service is something that Destiny has always been a part of since she was very young. Recently, in her high school career, community service has become a huge part of Destiny’s life and something that she genuinely enjoys taking part in. Destiny’s family works with a non-profit organization, called “Serve Without Borders”, which goes to Camden, NJ once a month, and feeds the homeless. Not only do they serve hot meals and provide them with warm clothes, but they also give them someone to talk to. Along with volunteering her services at church every week on the worship band, Destiny has also participated in youth-group car washes, bake sales, and fundraisers. During the month of Thanksgiving, Destiny’s family partakes in making baskets of Thanksgiving dinner supplies for families in the area that are struggling to make ends meet. Destiny also helps with “Operation Christmas Child”, where at church, they are able to receive shoeboxes which are sent around the world, to provide for children that do not get to receive the same joy we do on Christmas. Destiny’s family makes a day out of filling the shoeboxes with coloring books, crayons, Bible stories, toy cars, stickers and so much more fun, small things, that make children so happy. “It is easy to ignore the troubles others face, but we can be a part of the solution that fixes the world around us.”

Aidan LaFrance

Some of Aidan’s friends ask, “Why do you spend so much time doing all these clubs and community service activities when you barely have time for yourself?” Aidan’s response has always been that he enjoys making the world a better place. “It is what gets me up in the morning and what lets me sleep at night.” Thus far, Aidan has accumulated 124 service hours with the help of NHS and Band in his junior and senior years. The first and perhaps most impactful service event to Aidan was called Adopt a Family. Students purchase gifts for children whose families are going through financial hardships and then wrap them for the holidays. Aidan felt inspired to know that these children would have presents, specific to their interests, because of their kindness. Ever since, Aidan was hooked on “being the good” that he believes in. Aidan has done a variety of activities from cleaning up neighborhoods to running concession stands. As NHS Peer Tutoring Coordinator, Aidan spent unrecorded amounts of time behind the scenes developing a new tutoring system, researching, meeting with his advisor, sending emails, and pairing students. Aidan is committed to getting students effective help and making them less anxious about class. Aidan also relishes community service activities where he can interact with a wide range of people in different ways and overall put a smile on their faces. Aidan has had the privilege of meeting local veterans through his school’s biannual Honor Flight, where he served food and talked to veterans about their experiences.

Woodbury High School

Aleyah Lynch

The idea of helping others in any way possible essentially brings Aleyah joy. Aleyah has participated in events held by the FAF organization involving Lot 323 over the past couple of years. From distributing flyers around the town to promoting the activities they had to offer to physically being at the event and offering support to help organize the raffle to win prizes. Other opportunities have presented themselves as well, such as collecting cans for the local food drive and donating any essentials that she can to those in need. Aleyah was chosen to be a part of the National Honors Society, which allows its members to participate in community service activities, such as food and clothing drives. Additionally, the Leaders of Promise group that Aleyah is a part of strives to create a better surrounding for students. They recently planned a meeting with the principal of their school to set forth ideas that they felt would better support the students and provide them with a different outlook on their negative feelings towards school. Aleyah has also been a basketball manager since sophomore year, taking part in keeping track of the players’ stats and team’s overall points. Overall, community service has played a very important role in Aleyah’s life, and she strives to help individuals when the opportunity presents itself.

Jayden Johnsone

Throughout Jayden’s high school career, he has participated in food banks, and Christmas shopping for those who are less fortunate in the community. Throughout the year the school holds food banks, but during the wintertime the school was not getting many volunteers, so Jayden decided to step up and volunteer. It was worth every second. He would hold the shopping carts and walk down the food aisle, putting food into the shopping carts. Doing even so much as taking it to their cars and unloading. Jayden enjoyed all of the conversations he had with every single recipient. Jayden was also grateful to participate in a Christmas shopping event for local children. Going to Walmart to buy a couple of toys that he knew kids would enjoy. Jayden and others spent an hour or two wrapping the presents that he and his classmates had purchased. Since it was Christmas time, the students at all three schools were at their Christmas pep rally. The kids were actually bummed out that they had to leave the pep rally for a little bit, but they were pleasantly surprised and grateful when they saw they were receiving presents. Jayden remembers this as being very heart-warming. Jayden could not control his smile. He was happy that he could make an impact on those kids’ lives and do positive things in his community.

Millville High School

Allison McCollum

Allison has been able to see firsthand the lack of young people getting involved in their community. Allison has been able to take on many rewarding community service projects including musical production coordinator, the Youthworks mission trip, helping in various school productions, and coordinating community events sponsored by her local church. Allison’s trip with Youthworks, serving the underprivileged community in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, enriched her in humble service allowing Allison to experience the satisfaction of accomplishing a task that was not expected. Allison is very excited and grateful for the opportunity to volunteer with Youthworks again this upcoming summer. Allison is a member of the National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society which frequently bring up exciting volunteer opportunities, such as helping with a school-sponsored community trunk-or- treat, helping backstage at elementary school holiday and spring concerts, helping the regional auditions for Olympic Honors Band hosted by her school, and so much more. At her local church, Allison helps organize free community events, such as the annual family carnival. Allison also helps the elderly with tasks such as raking leaves or shoveling snow. Although these tasks are not extremely difficult, it is very rewarding to know that you helped someone. Allison is very proud of the volunteer work that she has been able to accomplish during her high school career, and is very grateful to have had the opportunity to serve others.

Joshua Flores

Throughout Joshua’s high school career, he has become involved in various activities in order to provide a service to his community. Particularly with the Tri-M Music Honor Society and Souled Out Community Youth. As a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society at Millville High School, Joshua works with other music students at the winter and spring concerts for the middle and elementary schools. Handing out programs, navigate performance groups to their rooms and on stage, and aid the music teachers in any way possible to make the experience easier. Along with the concerts, Joshua also assisted in the spring musical productions at the Lakeside Middle School for the past two years. Joshua and a few Tri-M members serve the staff and students during tech week, ensuring that the show runs smoothly and working wherever is needed behind the scenes. This could involve helping with costume changes, scene changes, the student performers directly in singing or acting, or finding microphone tape or other various items. Joshua is also involved with the youth group at Cumberland County Community Church, Souled Out Community Youth. The high school students in Souled Out traveled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for the YouthWorks Mission Trip for part of a week. While there, Joshua ‘s youth group worked with another youth group to clean the area around a children’s community center. The time Joshua has spent for the communities in Millville and elsewhere has brought great joy to his life that can only come from serving others.

Penns Grove High School

A’mani Taylor

Growing up A’mani was always told that providing service for others would be most rewarding. She did not know what that meant until she started visiting nursing homes in 8th grade. The smiles she received from the patients melted her heart. Although very busy with sports in high school she volunteered on weekends and holidays working at food banks and local Christmas holiday events where she wrapped gifts. A’mani also volunteered as a mentor tutoring students at an after-school program. One of A’mani’s most memorable experiences was participating in a Premature Awareness Fundraiser. Being a 1 lb. 5 oz premature baby herself, A’mani was able to share her testimony and connect with other families with the same experience. A’mani has always had a special desire to help promote Premature Awareness and her goal in the future is to one day organize and host a project awareness event for NICU parents. A’mani feels that community service is her way of giving back and showing appreciation for all that she has and believes that we all have a responsibility to contribute to our community.

Camren Thompson

Camren believes that we he has done in his community has been impactful. He has cleaned his community as well as parks and streets of Penns Grove. Camren also believes that we should do good things when people aren’t watching. Such as giving money to those in need. Camren wants to put positivity out there into the world. He has worked with his church preparing and giving away food during the holidays. He would also donate his own clothes to those who needed them. Although Camren feels as though has hasn’t done as much as he knows he can do, he wants to work towards changing people’s lives and changing his environment. Camren knows that being a giving back and serving can only pay off for you in the end.

Pennsville High School

Cara Hoyt

Throughout Cara’s years at PMHS, she has participated in many hours of community service including events associated with the school, as well as numerous events and programs held by the Pennsville Recreation Department. As a member of the Interact Club, Cara has visited Penn Towers to assist in holiday luncheons for the past two years. She helps serve the residents of the complex with the meals that the Rotary Club provides. Cara also helps the Challenger League in the spring as a part of the softball team. Cara helps guide people of all ages that have special needs through the game of baseball. Cara also helps the Pennsville Recreation Department with several activities. For the past four years, she has volunteered at the annual Halloween Contest held at the park. Starting out helping with free concessions then was asked to monitor the voting for the trunk-or-treat. This year Cara fulfilled a bigger role and responsibility by assisting at the sign-in table for children entering the contest as well as being a judge. During her freshman and sophomore years, Cara helped in the Tuesday night hockey program that lasts for six weeks in the fall for girls grades 3-5. Cara’s job is to help the girls if they may be struggling and fill in if they need an extra player. Similarly, Cara also volunteered at the Saturday morning basketball program for the past five years which runs for six weeks in the winter for girls grades 4-6. Cara helps coach, establish players into teams, and run the clock for games. Cara also makes connections and conversations with the girls. Overall, Cara participates in many volunteer opportunities because she feels that it is important to give back to the community. Not only is Cara helping society, “I also make connections and become more involved”.

Ethan Hankin

Ethan’s community service experiences have ranged from big events to small acts of service, but serving others in the community continues to be a source of joy in his life. As a member of the Tri-M music honor society, Ethan has had many opportunities to serve others with my musical abilities. Each year, Ethan has been a part of a musical group that travels to play holiday music for senior citizens. The experience is so delightful as he gets to watch the music fill their faces with the happiness of the holiday season. Ethan also was honored to play music for the funeral of someone who lost their son. While sad, serving the family this way was meaningful and a comfort. Through the Challenger League, Ethan has also had the joy of serving people in the special needs community. Helping them with baseball is such a great joy! Ethan was further able to serve these amazing kids and their families by helping with their first awards ceremony. “Seeing their faces as they received their medals served me far more than I was serving them.” Ethan was also eager to assist at vacation bible school for the special needs community as the technology person and game assistant. These opportunities were extremely hard work, but they reminded Ethan of the impact that serving others has on both himself and others. A couple of minutes that you would have been relaxing can be spent comforting others and showing them the loving care that they need. That is why community service is an important part of Ethan’s life, and he believes it should be a vital part of society.

Salem High School

Tamya Driver

Richard Nichols

Richard has dedicated his life to being involved with the community, youth, their education, mental health, and their impact on the world. Since 2014, Richard has been involved with his community when the Olive Street Garden opened across the street from his house. Going there every day in the spring and helping grow fruits and vegetables became Richard’s escape as a child. Getting close to those people caused Richard to connect more with their other programs which led him to start tutoring 2nd graders when he was in 3rd grade. To this day Richard has been tutoring 2nd-5th graders from John Fenwick Academy and Salem Middle School. Richard has made countless bonds and connections with people through Lighthouse Ministry programs. There are also summer camps with those same people where he volunteers as a leader to help kids learn about the importance of reusing and recycling and also to keep them informed about the issues in our community like the food drought. Richard has also devoted time to Salem High School by participating in student council trash pickups, Ambassadors Club where they guide incoming SHS students, and decorating for school events like homecoming. Additionally, Richard is involved in the IB program. This summer Richard went on the trip they offered to Scotland where he and his peers helped out by going to a community garden and helping farmers pick berries to make jam. They also went over multiple CAS (Creativity, Activities, Service) projects in meetings with IB teachers from around the world. Richard’s group came up with a blanket drive with multiple care packages for people in the city to choose from and to donate to.

Schalick High School

Leah McAllister

Leah has been attending West Park Methodist Church since she was born and has volunteered for a variety of tasks over the years. Leah’s service included handing out programs, putting together packages for “Operation Christmas Child,” making coffee before the church service, and showing up for events such as the church yard sales, family potlucks, and Vacation Bible School. During her five years as a Girl Scout, Leah concentrated on helping others and giving back to the community. Leah helped collect clothing for homeless shelters and participated in numerous trash clean-ups in public spots throughout town. In high school, Leah volunteered for a school-based organization called Camp PRIDE for over 100 hours during the summers of 2021 and 2023. This organization included tasks such as directing children to their classes, leading activities centered on social-emotional learning, and guiding them to make healthy choices for themselves. Leah volunteered for an organization called “Color A Smile,” where she colored pictures to give to people in need of a smile. Leah has also volunteered at a privately owned therapy facility called “Partners In Care.” There she greeted clients, managed the front desk, and handled maintenance. Leah also volunteered for organizations such as “The Ave,” in Vineland, and assisted guests at Olivet School’s “Cookies With Santa” holiday event. Leah also volunteered for an Easter egg hunt at Greenbranch Park, where she set up the eggs for the kids to find and did face painting. Community service has always been an important part of my Leah’s life and she enjoys assisting others and seeing people smile.

Jayson Cagle

Over the past three summers, Jayson has served as a volunteer mentor for the Pittsgrove Township School District’s summer camp experience. Jayson worked with students in third and fourth grades, logging over 225 hours. His position focused primarily on promoting social and emotional learning as well as helping students interact with one another. Jayson also interacted with campers as the PTMS Waldo the Wildcat and Olivet’s Ollie the Owl mascots. Jayson assisted the Teen Institute and Prevention Alliance (TIPA) in providing a mixture of fun physical activities with an overarching anti-substance abuse message to Pittsgrove Township Middle School students. Jayson has given speeches, led educational stations and directed activities, all in an effort to establish a positive environment. Jayson was a mentor for Cub Scout camp, providing support to the young campers who were experiencing their first night camping. As a Boy Scout with Troop 1058, Jayson has assisted with setting up the annual Pittsgrove Township Veterans Day ceremony. He has assisted with Centerton Fire Department’s annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser for several years. Jayson has collected canned goods as part of Scouting for Food, which helped replenish Peter’s Pantry in Elmer. He has also done various road clean ups to benefit Boys Scouts and the nonprofit Schalick Sports Hall of Fame. Jayson has also assisted Elmer Borough in testing their holiday wreaths to ensure they’re in working condition prior to being displayed on lampposts in town. Jayson’s Eagle Scout project was creating and installing new shelving for the Schalick High School band room’s equipment storage. The new shelving protects the instruments so they won’t be crushed or damaged easily.

Woodstown High School

Taylor Sparks

Woodstown is home to a strong and loyal community. Taylor gives back through helping with things she is passionate about like kids, sports, and the people of Woodstown. Taylor volunteers for the Woodstown Soccer Club, usually with the 14U Boys team. Working with 8th grade boys has given Taylor helpful life skills including patience, sternness, and grit. Watching them be able to grow up in a great community was special and it means a lot to Taylor that she was able to be a part of it. Taylor also helps out with U6 Girls Lacrosse. Each year they get a new group of girls who have never played lacrosse before. Aside from sports, Taylor also serves her community through the 4-H club. The pledge is, “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.” Two of the four Hs in 4-H stand for “heart” and “hands”. They focus on these two values the most. They give back to their community through food drives, road clean ups, and preparing food for local fire companies annual dinners. Taylor is also part of the Students of Service Club. The club’s purpose is to serve others. They create drives for the less fortunate families in the community. Doing a lot around the holidays such as stuffing stockings for children, but also try to do their part to help throughout the year as well by doing clothing drives. Taylor also participates in Light the Candle Club. They make cards for children who would not usually receive anything for their birthday. Taylor absolutely loves being a part of these clubs. While it’s easy for Taylor to give back to her loving community at Woodstown, the love for service that she gained here will follow her wherever she goes.

Andrew Guckin

The Monroeville Volunteer Fire Company was the first team Andrew had ever really been a part of from the age of 15. Andrew’s dad, who is the Assistant Chief, volunteered all his life and he influenced Andrew to join and give time to his community. When Andrew joined, he was the youngest member on the team and wasn’t allowed to go into fires, but he had to quickly learn what every tool and button on the fire trucks did. Andrew’s role was “On Scene Support”. This entailed doing everything that wasn’t running into fires. Most times when the fire occurs, Andrew would have to draft water from a nearby source. Doing this as a teenager was very rewarding to Andrew because he got to respond to actual emergencies with real firefighters. Andrew will forever be grateful to his father for introducing him to this community and convincing him to stick with it at times when he wanted to quit. Andrew’s most memorable moment has to be the yearly fundraisers and bringing the community together to raise money for the Monroeville Fire Company for new equipment. Andrew’s favorite memory is preparing the food with the rest of the crew hours before the event. This Community has made Andrew into the person he is today and has had a life-long impact that he would never want to forget.

Bridgeton High School

Diana Chavez

Diana had always been interested in helping her community but didn’t know where to start so she joined the Interact Club. The club does community service at certain places like the Cohanzick Zoo, a thrift store called Bridge the Gap, and other events. Diana’s favorite place to volunteer is at the Cohanzick Zoo since they host holiday events, and it’s nice seeing the scenery. Bridge the Gap is a non-profit organization, and they have programs that help the community. Finding out that the thrift store has programs that help the community made Diana want to know more. Diana started volunteering more at the Bridge the Gap and started donating clothes and books that she did not use. Helping others and her community has given Diana the motivation to continue volunteering. Diana also wants to encourage people to volunteer in their communities. Volunteering has been useful for her because it helps her social skills and helps her find out more about her community.

Manuel Sanchez Angel

Manuel joined Interact Club in his junior year with the hopes of becoming a better person who devoted himself to his community. When socializing and volunteering, he felt both excited and fulfilled. Manuel involved himself at his local zoo for leaf cleanups or any events they hosted like the “Boo at the Zoo”. He also volunteers at a local thrift shop named “Bridge the Gap”. Manuel had the pleasure of meeting great people doing the things he learned to enjoy. Manuel has helped with causes to support his community with some being breast cancer awareness, local food bank, local animal shelter, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Holding events like; The empty food bowls project in which they collaborated with the art club and created unique bowls with designs and asked local food shops to participate in feeding the community and raise money for the food shelter by selling the bowls with soup. Manuel now has the honor of being President of Interact Club and counts Boo at the Zoo as their latest success. Manuel is proud of what they have accomplished thus far. He is happy with what they have done and has high hopes for what the future holds.

Cumberland High School

Samuel Thompson

Samuel believes that Cumberland Regional HS is home to two of the best clubs; Interact Club and Leo Club. Both clubs, which he is a part of, focus on getting teens to volunteer for different activities that give back to the community. Samuel has done Salvation Army Bell Ringing, worked at Samaritan’s Purse: Operation Christmas Child Box; road clean ups and Breakfast with Santa. Samuel has met some of the nicest, most caring people while doing community service. He also believes that volunteers must have an instinctual need to help others. Samuel’s time as a volunteer has taught him character traits such as kindness and respect. If you treat people disrespectfully, they will not have a desire to help you should you need them in the future. Samuel has learned from an early age that burning bridges in life is the quickest way to get nowhere. Samuel believes there is no greater feeling than making someone else smile because he knows in that moment he is doing the right thing in life.

Grace Albert

Grace first started to get involved with the Interact and Leo Clubs during her junior year. Volunteering for fall events such as the Greenwich Craft Fair, and Operation Christmas Child and fell in love with the atmosphere. She loved being able to interact with kids and help the community in such a small, but important way. From there she participated in the Moore School’s Breakfast with Santa. Grace decided to purchase a Mrs. Claus costume to wear. She put on a wig, grabbed some glasses, and put on the costume and went to Moore School. When she got there, the coordinator was so taken back that Grace went all out that she no longer wanted her to just help out the kids but pose with Santa Claus for pictures. Grace had no intention of doing so, but for the remainder of the time, she got the privilege to sit and take pictures, receive letters and hugs, and make a child’s day with Santa. Grace will never forget the time a mother expressed to her how happy she was that her special needs child wanted to sit on Mrs. Claus’ lap. Because of her love for this club, in the Spring of 2023 Grace was elected President as she completed the greatest number of hours of volunteer work. Fall of 2023, when school started again. Once again participated in fall activities such as The Cohanzick Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo and Operation Christmas Child. To Grace’s surprise, she was actually requested by the coordinator for Moore School’s Breakfast with Santa to be Mrs. Claus again. Grace will never forget the way this club has impacted her outlook on life and has given her opportunities she never could have imagined.

Our Lady of Mercy Academy

Amelia Bell

Community service has been a vast and ever growing part of Amelia’s life. When Amelia was three, her aunt brought her to help pack shoeboxes with necessities for children in extreme poverty, and Amelia’s involvement in the community has only grown since then. Amelia has worked in soup kitchens, collected donations for a local animal shelter, and participated in different service schools, such as making sandwiches and participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters. Amelia’s favorite and most crucial community service activity, however, is volunteering as an EMT in her community. When Amelia turned 16, she joined the squad as an EMT aide, and then several months later, she enrolled in EMT school. Amelia completed the 250 hour course during her junior year, before passing the national registry test. Amelia‘s passion does not stem from the adrenaline rush she gets while running lights and sirens to the hospital, but from the ability to save someone’s life and, by extension, their family. For example, once Amelia and her partners were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident. A man was standing next to the car, screaming for help. His girlfriend had a laceration across her face, almost down to the muscle of her cheek. The facts were clear, her laceration, although distressing to look at, was not her biggest problem. The internal injuries she sustained from the car flipping were going to kill her quickly if no intervention was taken. Immediately, the other EMT and Amelia loaded her into the ambulance and went to the rendezvous point with the helicopter. Amelia didn’t know what happened to that woman after they transferred care, except that she lived. Being in a position to save someone’s life as a volunteer is not only the best service Amelia can provide but it is also exhilarating and valuable.