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PSE & G
(November 12, 2009 – Newark, NJ) – PSEG is celebrating the power of volunteerism today by recognizing exemplary employee volunteers and rewarding the nonprofit organizations they support. The energy company will award 16 New Jersey nonprofits a total of $34,000 in recognition of the work of employees who donate their time and energy to philanthropic organizations throughout the Garden State.
The employees were formally recognized today by PSEG Chairman Ralph Izzo and Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells at an afternoon luncheon at the company’s headquarters.
“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. “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, the homeless, disabled, elderly and low-income families, and concentrate their efforts on areas such as substance abuse, grief counseling, premature births, conservation and animal rescue.
The awardees include:
$10,000 Betty Flood Award of Excellence:
James Colligan of Wayne, NJ
Wayne Little League – Challenger Division – Wayne, NJ
For Colligan, the founder and vice president of Wayne Little League’s Challenger Division, no obstacle is too big and everyone can make an impact. He established a baseball program for mentally and physically challenged children ten years ago in an effort to enhance the lives of handicapped children through sports. The program has grown over the last decade to include over 100 volunteers and children from many NJ towns. In addition to teaching kids about baseball, participation also provides participants with the opportunity to experience the joys of teamwork, being cheered, and earning awards. PSEG’s grant will help the league pay for equipment and supplies, and allow kids to compete in regional and national games.
$ 3,000 Award of Achievement:
Patricia D’Alia of Union, NJ
Good Grief, Inc. – Summit, NJ
As a support group facilitator for The Good Grief Center, D’Alia helps families heal after the death of loved ones. She uses play, art therapy and group discussions to give children a safe, loving and supportive environment to express themselves. This program has helped young people avoid unhealthy or destructive behavior by showing them better ways to cope with painful feelings. The grant money from PSEG will be used to purchase classroom supplies.
Donald Massey of Summit, NJ
The Network Youth Development Program – Newark, NJ
Massey is committed to helping Newark’s inner-city youth. As a mentor for The Network Youth Development Program, he provides at-risk kids with support and encourages them to avoid negative behaviors, learn the value of education, and make well-informed decisions. The organization will use PSEG’s grant money for supplies and equipment for their academic, health, recreation and performing arts programs.
Karen Roots of Salem, NJ
Positive Impact Movement, Inc. – Salem, NJ
Roots devotes much of her life to making her community a better place to live. She created a neighborhood development program called Positive Impact Movement, which works with local officials and community leaders to promote education, economic development and reduce crime. Her efforts have helped protect residents in communities in Salem County – especially youth and senior citizens. PSEG’s grant money will help the organization fund existing programs and new initiatives.
David Rower of Cranford, NJ
The StreetLight Mission, Inc. – Elizabeth, NJ
Rower spends much of his time bringing help and hope to others during their time of need. For almost ten years he and his wife have provided the downtrodden of Union and Essex County with warm meals, shelter, and guidance about how to live productively. His work with the StreetLight Mission has helped many individuals and families survive poverty, substance abuse and homelessness. The grant money from PSEG will help cover operational costs such as cell phone and utility bills.
$1,000 Award of Merit:
James Christiano of Colonia, NJ
Eagle Rock Reservation Conservancy – Essex County, NJ
Christiano’s desire to protect local land and his concern about protecting wildlife and the environment has motivated him to dedicate his time to helping restore and maintain Eagle Rock Reservation, a 400-plus acre county park located in West Orange and Montclair, New Jersey. While he has done much over the years, he most recently partnered with the local parks commission to build a gazebo, install new sidewalks, plant trees, and rebuild an old walking path. He helps the organization protect wildlife in its natural habitat, while giving people a place to relax and contemplate. PSEG’s grant money will be used to purchase landscaping tools.
Patrick Halpin of Jamesburg, NJ
Central New Jersey Council, Boy Scouts of America – Dayton, NJ
Halpin has been involved with the Boy Scouts since he was eight, and strives to provide today’s youth with the same life-long learning opportunities that the organization gave him as a child. He manages a number of scouting programs, as well as the camping and properties committee. His efforts ensure a safe and fun campground environment for over 7,000 scouts that use them year-round. The PSEG grant will be used to make repairs to camp facilities, such as improved access for the handicapped.
Diane Jones of Hillsborough, NJ
March of Dimes – Cranbury, NJ
Jones works tirelessly to raise funds for the March of Dimes-Central Jersey Division and to increase awareness about the importance of preventing birth defects, premature births and infant mortality. She 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.
Jenn Kramer of Hoboken, NJ
Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey –Statewide
Kramer donates her time and expertise to the Boys & Girls Clubs as a member of its Marketing Advisory Board, a group of communications professionals who put their skills to work to raise the visibility of the organization in communities across New Jersey. She helps organize forums that bring parents together with local and state leaders to discuss hot topics impacting children, and she has spearheaded professional and social networking initiatives. The money from PSEG will support programs that enable young people to reach their full potential, including the Youth of the Year and the Kool School Music Academy.
Kenneth Kubasta, Howard Londner and Walter Demeraski of Fair Lawn, NJ
Fair Lawn Borough Fire Co. #3, Inc. – Fair Lawn, NJ
Together, these three men have a combined 80 years of service as Fair Lawn Borough volunteer firefighters. In addition to their “normal” duties they are all active members of various fire company committees and have served many years as fire officers. They give their time freely, at all hours of the day and night, in an effort to keep the community safe. PSEG’s grant will be used to purchase and install a back-up generator.
Harry Mahoney of Branchburg, NJ
Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey – Livingston, NJ
Mahoney became a volunteer to help raise awareness about Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey, and has been the chief organizer for the nonprofit’s touch football tournament for more than twenty years. His responsibilities include developing the tournament schedule, working with stadium officials, and recruiting teams. His efforts have helped generate more than $1 million for programs that aid infants, children and adults with disabilities. The grant money from PSEG will help the organization continue enhancing the lives of people with disabilities and other special needs.
Tina Malinak of Howell, NJ
Marine Mammal Stranding Center – Brigantine, NJ
Malinak works to increase the public’s knowledge, awareness and motivation about marine mammals and sea turtles. Through the Marine Mammal Stranding Center’s outreach programs, she helped deliver educational programs to hundreds of children this summer. Since 1975 the organization has responded to over 3,500 animals, with the highest recovery/return rate on the East Coast – a success rate of 90% in live-seal strandings. The PSEG grant will help further the nonprofit’s ocean preservation work through public information and internship programs.
John McNiff of Tappan, NY
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart CYO – Tappan, NY
McNiff knows that time on the basketball court means more than just fun and exercise for the youth of his parish — it means the chance to provide an atmosphere that offers the joys of competition and being involved with the community. As co-director of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart CYO basketball program, he gives his time and expertise to oversee all aspects of the program, including registration, games, award dinners, fundraisers, and training for coaches. The PSEG grant money will be used to help expand the church’s gym.
Rosa Schmidt of North Brunswick. NJ
Junior Achievement of New Jersey, Inc. – Princeton, NJ
For almost ten years Schmidt has been inspiring and preparing young people to be successful employees, consumers and business leaders of tomorrow. As a volunteer instructor for Junior Achievement, she puts her skills to use by teaching economic concepts to children – stressing the relationship between school and future success. In addition to her work in the classroom, she helps organize fundraising activities and recruits new volunteers. PSEG’s grant money will help fund programs that enable the nonprofit to reach new students.
Tara Speyer of Elizabeth, NJ
YM-YWHA of Union County – Union, NJ
Speyer makes a difference in the lives of children and adults in her community as a member of the board of directors for the YM-YWHA, a group that provides education, socialization and recreation services to the people of Union County. She focuses her efforts on fundraising, votes on all decisions related to monetary issues, and has worked to restructure the group’s extracurricular day care and summer camp programs. The grant from PSEG will help enhance the nonprofit’s Early Childhood Center, providing a safe and structured environment for children whose parents have no alternative for child-care.
Melissa Standing of Summit, NJ
Summit Performing Arts Resource Committee – Summit, NJ
Standing has combined her marketing and communications background with a love of the performing arts. Her volunteer work enhances the way the organization communicates to members and the community of Summit. The PSEG grant money will help the Summit Performing Arts Resource Committee to continue enriching the lives of local public school students by exposing them to programs and productions that foster a lifelong interest in theater, music and dance.
“These award winners are to be commended for their inspirational spirit of giving to others. I am proud such efforts are being led by an increasingly active corporate citizenry. PSEG also deserves high praise for its commitment as a corporate volunteer leader, contributing to the people and communities that it serves,” said Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells.
“It is important to realize the crucial role volunteerism plays in the delivery of philanthropic programs, services and projects that enrich the quality of life in all of our communities. I urge all New Jersey residents to get involved. We need you more than ever,” Secretary Wells added.
Photos available upon request.
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 (www.pseg.com).
