Highland Park celebrates local volunteer efforts
Nia Hamm / Correspondent
Issue date: 4/16/07 Section: Metro
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Highland Park is searching for the next recipient of its Volunteer of the Year award.
Highland Park's search - which began in 2001 - consists of people who are nominated for their outstanding commitment to community service and dedication for making Highland Park a better place.
"Applicants must be residents from the borough and contribute time talent and effort to community service," said Highland Park councilwoman Fern Goodhart.
Goodhart, who also teaches at the University and at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey's School of Public Health, said nominees might participate in any type of volunteer activity in areas ranging from the Highland Park Community Food Pantry, cable television network, health, wealth, safety and the quality of life.
"We ask residents to nominate people who should be recognized for extraordinary service," she said.
Food Pantry director Robyn Shumer was the 2006 Volunteer of the Year
Shumer first began volunteering at a homeless shelter for the elderly while she was in high school and would often play cards with the residents or even paint the elderly women's nails.
During college, Shumer was a suicide hotline volunteer and a big sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters and afterwards went on to become a volunteer for the Board of Health.
"My dog is a certified pet therapy dog, so I've done work with him at the children's hospital and an assisted living facility," Shumer said. "I also raised more than 7K for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a volunteer for their team in training marathon training program," she said.
Shumer said she volunteers so much of her time, because she has had a fortunate life and feels compelled to give back to others who are less fortunate.
When Shumer received the Volunteer of the Year award, she appreciated it but felt she was not the only one who deserved it.
"I was really humbled and appreciative but I felt like the award should have gone to the Food Pantry volunteers as a whole and not just to me because it's really all of the volunteers that make the Food Pantry the success that it is," she said.
In addition in volunteering her services for other people, Shumer said that she has grown personally and emotionally in the process.
"I've developed communication and marketing skills," she said. "It makes my heart feel good to know that I'm assisting in helping people who are struggling. I've seen the Food Pantry Volunteer staff grow and develop and the pantry has become a stable entity in our town.
Once the nominee is selected, there will be a ceremony at the senior center in Highland Park on April 24 from 7:30-9:30 pm "where the mayor and council take time out from governing to express sincere gratitude for those who take time out to volunteer," Goodhart said. The award is a "small tribute that are tokens of our appreciation since we couldn't show them in more tangible forms."
For more information contact Fern Goodhart at Fwgoodhart@hotmail.com or call her at 732-846-4516.
Highland Park's search - which began in 2001 - consists of people who are nominated for their outstanding commitment to community service and dedication for making Highland Park a better place.
"Applicants must be residents from the borough and contribute time talent and effort to community service," said Highland Park councilwoman Fern Goodhart.
Goodhart, who also teaches at the University and at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey's School of Public Health, said nominees might participate in any type of volunteer activity in areas ranging from the Highland Park Community Food Pantry, cable television network, health, wealth, safety and the quality of life.
"We ask residents to nominate people who should be recognized for extraordinary service," she said.
Food Pantry director Robyn Shumer was the 2006 Volunteer of the Year
Shumer first began volunteering at a homeless shelter for the elderly while she was in high school and would often play cards with the residents or even paint the elderly women's nails.
During college, Shumer was a suicide hotline volunteer and a big sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters and afterwards went on to become a volunteer for the Board of Health.
"My dog is a certified pet therapy dog, so I've done work with him at the children's hospital and an assisted living facility," Shumer said. "I also raised more than 7K for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a volunteer for their team in training marathon training program," she said.
Shumer said she volunteers so much of her time, because she has had a fortunate life and feels compelled to give back to others who are less fortunate.
When Shumer received the Volunteer of the Year award, she appreciated it but felt she was not the only one who deserved it.
"I was really humbled and appreciative but I felt like the award should have gone to the Food Pantry volunteers as a whole and not just to me because it's really all of the volunteers that make the Food Pantry the success that it is," she said.
In addition in volunteering her services for other people, Shumer said that she has grown personally and emotionally in the process.
"I've developed communication and marketing skills," she said. "It makes my heart feel good to know that I'm assisting in helping people who are struggling. I've seen the Food Pantry Volunteer staff grow and develop and the pantry has become a stable entity in our town.
Once the nominee is selected, there will be a ceremony at the senior center in Highland Park on April 24 from 7:30-9:30 pm "where the mayor and council take time out from governing to express sincere gratitude for those who take time out to volunteer," Goodhart said. The award is a "small tribute that are tokens of our appreciation since we couldn't show them in more tangible forms."
For more information contact Fern Goodhart at Fwgoodhart@hotmail.com or call her at 732-846-4516.