The Alternative Press

CONTACT We Care, the 24-hour caring and crisis hotline named the 2008 "Best Statewide Volunteer Organization" by the New Jersey Governor's Office of Volunteerism recognized and honored nearly seventy volunteers who staff the crisis hotline and help lead and support the organization at its Volunteer Recognition Celebration and Annual Meeting on March 20 in Summit.

"Now, more than ever, our caring and crisis hotline is providing an invaluable service to the community," said David Owens, executive director. "Our compassionate and dedicated volunteers provide hope and comfort to individuals dealing with everything from employment and financial stress to physical illness to relationship issues."

The recognized volunteers included:

Interns on the hotline: Pat Hanigan of Mountainside, Laurie Feinberg of Westfield, Jeanne Connerat of New Providence, Debra Clark of Summit, Rebecca Williams and Sarah Williams of Berkeley Heights, and Joey Khan of Neptune;

Newly commissioned volunteers: Denise Banghart of Garwood, Flynn Bowen of South Orange, Richard DelNero of Scotch Plains, Deven Mavani of Glen Ridge, Mary Irving of Plainfield, Dorothy Lallasher of Linden, Sarah Mays of North Plainfield, and Carrie Swingle of Westfield;

Training Assistants and Facilitators: Gene & Joanne Bloomwell of South Plainfield, Eileen Burlinson of North Plainfield, Joyce Cuomo of Westfield, Amy Green of Westfield, Laurie Groves of Far Hills, Bob John of Westfield, Anne Kerian of Scotch Plains, Marianne Kranz of Fanwood, Melanie Lester of Bedminster, Nancy Morrison of Livingston, Leesa Nash of Westfield, and Debra Scheibe of Berkeley Heights;

Volunteers who have served more than 100 hours on the hotline: May Furstner of Westfield, Joanne Zeliff of South Plainfield, Anne Goetz of Scotch Plains, Sylvia Borne of Westfield, Mike Snizek of Westfield, and Bill Petersen of Summit;

Volunteers who have served more than 200 hours on the hotline: Bob John of Westfield, Carolyn Davis of Berkeley Heights, and Eileen Burlinson of North Plainfield;

Volunteers who have served more than 300 hours on the hotline: Melanie Lester of Bedminster, Marianne Kranz of Fanwood, and Jim Lenox of South Plainfield;

Volunteers who have served more than 400 hours on the hotline: Leesa Nash of Westfield and Deb Scheibe of Berkeley Heights;

Volunteers who have served more than 500 hours on the hotline: Barry Klassel of Scotch Plains and Amy Green of Westfield;

Volunteers who have served more than 800 hours on the hotline: Annamarie Kossler of Westfield, Barbara Kreder of North Plainfield, Kathy Buchanan of South Plainfield, and Nancy Morrison of Livingston;

Volunteers who have served more than 1000 hours on the hotline: Grace Bradley of Rahway and Laurie Groves of Far Hills;

Volunteers who have served more than 2000 hours on the hotline: Gene and Joanne Bloomwell of South Plainfield.

CONTACT We Care Board of Trustees: Jeffrey Feldman of Westfield, Amy Green of Westfield, Russ Hovland of Summit, Melanie Lester of Bedminster, Jim McKnight of Westfield, Leesa Nash of Westfield, Sharon Stockwell of Westfield, Lisa Vitiello of Scotch Plains and Karen Yutsus of Mountainside.

CONTACT We Care volunteers offer the gift of listening to callers who are lonely, depressed, stress or suicidal throughout New Jersey. The local hotline number is 908-232-2880. The organization is also a member of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, for which it answers calls to 1-800-SUICIDE and 1-800-273-TALK.

CONTACT is the primary responder to calls made to these national hotline numbers from many area codes within New Jersey. For information about volunteering with CONTACT We Care, please visit the organization's website at www.contactwecare.org or call 908-301-1899.