Matthew Bhaya, Haddonfield
Haddonfield Memorial High School junior Matthew Bhaya (pictured) has continued the new and used sports equipment drive that he started in fifth grade, collecting more than 5,000 donated items for local sports leagues and the Camden Recreation Department.
Kate Esaia, Mount Laurel
Countryside Elementary School parent Kate Esaia headed the school’s recycling campaign and led the school to take second in a statewide recycling competition run by TerraCycle, earning the school $30,000. Each day, Esaia organized the recyclables in the cafeteria, cleaned them and shipped them out to TerraCycle’s headquarters.
Justin Adibi, Medford
As president of his fraternity, Phi Sigma Kappa, at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Adibi helped his chapter find a new home— becoming the first fraternity in the nation to move into a rehabbed church. The chapter worked to convert the church into a livable space where they will also host community activities.
Eli Weitzman, Cherry Hill
Nine-year-old Eli Weitzman was honored at Samaritan Hospice’s Winterfest for volunteering 50 hours of his time for the hospice.
Steve Heald, Medford
After his two brothers were diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and his uncle was diagnosed with Colitis, Steve Heald ran his first half marathon to benefit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. All told, he has raised more than $10,000 for the foundation through runs and other fund-raising events.
Rocco Fiorentino, Voorhees
The 2011 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, dedicated to honoring volunteerism in youth, selected Voorhees Middle School eighth-grade student Rocco Fiorentino as the New Jersey State Honoree for his work with the blind and vision-impaired. His efforts have included successfully petitioning five U.S. states to recognize October as Blindness Awareness Month.
Taylor Cheng, Moorestown
Taylor Cheng, a senior at Moorestown Friends School, created SlickCube, a variant on the Rubik’s Cube that is easier to maneuver and turn. Cheng raised $600 dollars in three days selling his cubes for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and continues to sell the cubes online for charity.
Nick Carbonara, Marlton
Cherokee High School senior Nick Carbonara was honored with a commendation from Mayor Randy Brown and Deputy Mayor Joe Howarth for his Eagle Scout project, which consisted of gathering and organizing 176 boxes of toiletries for homeless people in Burlington County.
David Lewis & Mary Beth Swindells, Moorestown
David Lewis and Mary Beth Swindells were awarded the District Award of Merit, the highest honor given to a volunteer by a local scouting district group, for their time and dedication at the Burlington County Council Boy Scouts of America annual volunteer recognition dinner and awards ceremony.
Rose Connelly, Washington Township
Kennedy Health System intensive care unit nurse manager Rose Connelly organized the 2011 Kennedy Stroke Calendar art contest, involving students from several local schools in order to raise awareness about strokes and their symptoms.
Holly Harrington, Haddonfield
Holly Harrington, a junior at Haddonfield Memorial High School, started a drive to collect old prom dresses and accessories to be donated to the Fort Dix thrift shop. Harrington is working to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award.
Delaney Honeyford & Danielle Lazarus, Moorestown
Moorestown High School senior Delaney Honeyford and junior Danielle Lazarus co-chaired the 11th annual Soup for the Soul event, run by the Interact Club. The dinner, featuring soup and bread from local restaurants, raised $3,500 for the Food Bank of South Jersey.
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 1 (March, 2011).
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