NEWARK, N.J., Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- PSEG will celebrate
the power of volunteerism today at a ceremony recognizing exemplary
employee volunteers and rewarding the nonprofit organizations they
support. PSEG CEO Ralph Izzo will
lead the festivities, awarding $34,000 in grants to nonprofits as part of the
company's annual Recognizing Excellence in Volunteerism program.
Representatives from the nonprofit organizations supported by the
employees will also participate.
"Though our employees expend a great deal of energy at work,
they still manage to find time to give back and make their
communities better," said Ralph
Izzo, PSEG chairman, president, and CEO. "This year
again, we honor their commitment and support their efforts. They
are truly remarkable."
The nonprofits receiving the grants are as diverse as the
employees who support them. This year's recipient organizations
provide valuable services for youth, low-income families and
schools, and concentrate their efforts on areas such as disaster
response, substance abuse prevention, conservation, animal rescue,
mental illness and safety.
Here is a full list of awardees. Photos are available upon
request.
$10,000 Betty Flood Award of Excellence
Given to Cheryl Olcheski of
Kearny, NJ
American Red Cross of Northern New
Jersey
Olcheski is a lifelong Hudson
County resident who has worked for PSEG for 37 years. Seeing
the images of people displaced by Hurricane Katrina compelled her
to pick up the phone and see how she could help. After a two-week
deployment to a Red Cross call center in California where she used her administrative
skills to help make logistical arrangements for Katrina volunteers
and victims, Cheryl began volunteering her time at home. She logs
about 80 hours a year volunteering for the American Red Cross of
Northern New Jersey, responding
round-the-clock to reports of accidents. As a Disaster Response
Team leader, she is often the first Red Cross representative on the
scene, working with emergency management officials to assess damage
and the urgent needs of victims. This year that meant helping
people pick up the pieces after their homes were wrecked by floods.
The money from PSEG will allow the Red Cross to train volunteers,
update communications equipment and purchase blankets, clean up
kits and comfort kits.
$ 3,000 Award of
Achievement
Joseph Barone of Hamilton, NJ
March of Dimes
Barone works tirelessly to increase awareness about the importance
of preventing birth defects, premature births and infant mortality.
He has worked for many years to spread the word that prenatal care
is critical to ensuring that babies have a healthy start in life.
The grant money from PSEG will help fund research, community
services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives.
Robert Green of Colonia, NJ
Colonia Volunteer Fire
Department in Woodbridge
Township
Green has worked around-the-clock to protect his neighbors from
fires, accidents, floods, snow storms, and other elements for 35
years. As Chief of the Colonia
Volunteer Fire Department, he spends hundreds of hours a year
coordinating drills, developing training scenarios and establishing
standard operating procedures.
Matthew Lutek of Pittsgrove, NJ
The Williamson Free School of Mechanical
Trades
Lutek has given countless hours over the last 22 years, helping
with alumni fundraising efforts and mentoring students and teaching
them about careers in power plants and the importance of putting
safety first.
Michelle Brady of Hillside, NJ
Contact We Care, Inc.
Through her listening skills and compassion for people, Brady is a
source of comfort for people who call the organization's 24-hour
crisis hotline. A volunteer and training facilitator, she brings
hope to people who are suffering from loneliness, depression and
mental illness.
$1,000 Award of Merit
Mark Lovretin of Morris Plains, NJ
St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center
Lovretin spends hundreds of hours a year counseling people about
adoptions and photographing homeless cats for the organization's
website. The money from PSEG will go toward expanding the shelter's
vaccination and spay/neuter programs.
Mike Hornsby of Princeton Junction, NJ
Princeton Junction Fire
Department
A volunteer firefighter, Hornsby dedicates hundreds of hours a year
to protect lives and property in his town. Last year he responded
to 186 calls for help.
Jo Ann Bowden of Colonia, NJ
Family Resource Network
Bowden has volunteered with the organization for 3 years and gives
more than 100 hours a year, helping people with special needs such
as epilepsy, autism, developmental disabilities and chronic
illness.
Harry Mahoney of Branchburg, NJ
Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey- Livingston, NJ
Mahoney became a volunteer to help raise awareness about cerebral
palsy, and he has been the chief organizer for the nonprofit's
touch football tournament for more than twenty five years. His
efforts have helped generate more than $1
million for programs that help people with disabilities.
Jose Roman of Newark, NJ
Roseville Sports Group of North
Newark
Upset by the lack of community support for youth sports, Roman took
it upon himself to do what he could to persuade parents to allow
their children to join a team and play ball. He began coaching
North Newark Little League five years ago determined to keep kids
occupied and off the streets. The money from PSEG will be given to
Roseville Sports Group of North
Newark to help kids afford uniforms, and to pay umpires.
Jennifer Coyne of Harrington Park, NJ
Friends of Wayne Animals (FOWA)
Coyne works to help homeless animals find permanent, loving homes.
In addition to fostering cats, she helps to educate the community
about adoption, animal cruelty and proper pet care and raises funds
through grant writing and events. The grant will be used to cover
expenses such as spaying and neutering and veterinarian bills.
Blaine Burns of Pennsville, NJ
Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc. – Palmyra, PA
Called the "dog whisperer" Burns has a knack for gaining the trust
of abandoned dogs that have been abused or neglected and helping
them heal and become loving family pets. He transports dogs to
doctor's offices and shelters, and helps find the animals good
homes. The money will help fund the organization's community
outreach programs.
Timothy Foley of Livingston, NJ
Livingston Fire
Department
Foley has been protecting and serving his community for 25 years.
In addition to serving as Captain and Lieutenant of multiple engine
and truck companies over the years, he volunteers his time to teach
kids about fire prevention and safety.
Gerard Pandolfo of
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Atlantic Highlands First Aid and Safety Squad, Inc.
An EMT, Pandolfo has spent the last 14 years providing emergency
medical service and training to his community, and teaches
teenagers about water and ice rescue.
Patrick Halpin of Jamesburg, NJ
Boy Scouts of America, Central New Jersey Council- Dayton, NJ
Involved with the Boy Scouts since he was a child, Halpin
volunteers his time in an effort to provide kids with the same
opportunities and perspective that the organization gave him. His
efforts ensure a safe and fun campground environment for over 7,000
scouts. The money from PSEG will be used to repair and upgrade the
facilities at Yards Creek Scout Reservation.
Walter Demeraski, Kenneth Kubasta and Howard Londner of Fair
Lawn, NJ
Fair Lawn Fire Company No.
3
Demeraski, Kubasta and Londner have 85 years of combined service as
member of the Fair Lawn Volunteer
Fire Company. They have all served as officers and are active
members of committees in addition to their normal duty as volunteer
firefighters. They give their time freely, at all hours of the day,
in an effort to keep the community safe. The grant from PSEG will
likely be put toward purchasing and installing a back-up generator
for the firehouse.
James Harris of Fallsington, PA
Guardians of the National Cemetery- Newtown, PA
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Harris spends hundreds of hours a year
helping to give veterans an honorable funeral service and
burial.
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG) has a long
tradition of caring for New
Jersey's people and communities. Each year, the company and
its employees invest millions of dollars and thousands of hours to
improve the quality of life in New
Jersey. The company's culture dictates that service to
customers and community go hand-in-hand.
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SOURCE Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)