Five-year RUNNELLS Volunteers in attendance proudly showed their certificates acknowledging their service. Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (center) joined them to offer her congratulations. Zola Dunn, on behalf of the Roselle A.A.R.P. #5293 (left); Peter Pennica, Scotch Plains (second from left); Susan Pennica, Scotch Plains (third from left); Mary Helms, Martinsville (third from right); John Greco Sr., Berkeley Heights (second from right) and Roberta Grayson, Scotch Plains (right).
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The volunteers of RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital of Union County, both young and old alike were honored at this year’s Volunteer Awards Ceremony and Luncheon at the Westwood in Garwood.
Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski represented the County’s Board of Chosen Freeholders at the 47th annual event. An amazing 253 individuals and 64 groups who contributed as much as 45 years of service were honored.
“Thanks to all of the volunteers for the great things that they’ve done,” Freeholder Kowalski stated. “They donated a total of 23,569 hours of their time this past year, which saved the county and the taxpayers about $377,104. The gratitude of the entire Freeholder Board is extended to all the volunteers; and a big welcome to the 69 new volunteers who became part of the RUNNELLS family during this past year.”
Volunteer opportunities include: escorting individuals in wheelchairs to occupational or physical therapy and hospital parties; working in the gift and coffee shops and helping office staff with clerical duties. Volunteers may also take orders for personal care items, shop and bring the items back; assist residents and patients with hearing or eyesight difficulties to play games and assist residents by writing cards and escorting them to the courtyard.
The Office of Volunteer Services of RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital is always interested in recruiting volunteers. This includes teens 14 and older for junior volunteers. Volunteer opportunities for teens range from assisting with recreational activities including helping residents to play board and computer games to serving at candlelight dinners. Flexible hours as well as a variety of opportunities exist. For further information call the Office of Volunteer Services at 908-771-5847. |
One of the twenty-year honorees was volunteer James Picozzi, Springfield, shown receiving his plaque from Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, thanking him for his many years of dedicated service. Picozzi, a member of RUNNELLS Volunteers Guild executive board is the group’s expert on policies and procedures. He also hosts the bi-monthly coffee socials at the facility as well as escorts residents on out trips.
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Special honoree, Barbara McMahon, New Providence (left) received a pin from Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (right) recognizing McMahon’s 21,200 hours of devoted service at RUNNELLS SpecializedHospital. McMahon was acknowledged as having given the most hours by a volunteer. McMahon serves as the RUNNELLS Volunteers Guild’s executive board treasurer; helps as a friendly visitor; in the beauty shop; with the book cart and shops for gifts for residents’ birthdays given at monthly parties and winter holiday gifts. As if those weren’t enough, she buys ice cream and toppings on behalf of the Guild for their monthly ice cream socials; fills in at the coffee and gift shops and helps with plant sales.
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Forty-five year award recipients, the Berkeley Heights Lions Club has contributed toward the annual Holiday Party and Gift Giving Celebration at RUNNELLS SpecializedHospital as well as donated to and run an annual Ice Cream Social. Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski showed the Lions the resolution from the Board of Chosen Freeholders honoring RUNNELLS volunteers. The Lions present were: George Wagenbach, Berkeley Heights (left); Fred Farnsworth, Chatham (second from left); Pete Cino, Treasurer, Berkeley Heights (third from left); Don Miller, Berkeley Heights (second from right) and Vito Fragati, Berkeley Heights (right).
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