The Alternative Press

At the 2012 New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Awards program on May 1, 2012, held at The Newark Museum, New Eyes for the Needy’s adult volunteers received the Group Volunteer Award for 2011-2012.

Representing New Eyes’ volunteers at the event were: John J. Dalton, assistant vice president of eyeglass recycling and former Trustee; Joan Daeschler, coordinator of small overseas eyeglass shipments and former Board president; Mary McIntyre, a member of the Fabulous Finds Boutique sales executive committee; and Josephine Welt, administrative volunteer. Lieutenant Governor/Secretary of State Kim Guadagno and President of PNC Bank New Jersey Linda Bowden presented the awards.

In her remarks, Lt. Governor Guadagno noted that, even though volunteers do not give their time because they are looking for thanks, “Somebody should every now and then stand and say thank you.” The state estimates that New Jersey volunteers’ hours and achievements are valued at $3.5 billion.

In her nomination, New Eyes’ Executive Director Susan M. Dyckman stated, “Scores of energetic, engaged and enthusiastic volunteers have totally committed to the work of New Eyes. Their collective effort has improved the vision of 7,500,000 people in the U.S. and 63 countries around the world since New Eyes’ founding in 1932. This achievement would never have been possible without the men and women whose spirited volunteerism forms the backbone of this organization.”

“This is well-deserved recognition for New Eyes’ volunteers and we couldn’t be happier that the spotlight of the Jefferson Award is shining on them during New Eyes’ 80^th anniversary year,” added Dyckman.

The Jefferson Awards program was founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Sen. Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard, who also founded the National Development Council. Mr. Beard spoke at the May 1 event in Newark, New Jersey. “If we ever lost the spirit of volunteerism in our neighborhoods, it would be a totally different country,” he said.

Presented by PNC Bank, The New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Awards is a program of The Governor’s Office on Volunteerism, The Star-Ledger/NJ.com and Community Foundation of New Jersey.

New Eyes offers a variety of volunteer opportunities at its facility in Short Hills, NJ. For more information, contact Jean Gajano, community relations coordinator, at 973-376-4908 or jgajano@neweyesfortheneedy.org or visit www.neweyesfortheneedy.org.