Harmony House, 91心頭���s transitional housing facility for homeless families, also received donations during the holiday season to benefit its families.

We are deeply grateful and thank the following groups and individuals for spreading the spirit of joy during the 2023 holiday season:

• , Newton, N.J. ��� Brother Jee and Brother Bernardo Lee, coordinated the donation of Christmas trees
• Mr. and Mrs. Mark Carelli and family
• Weichert Realty, Short Hills, N.J. ��� Bobbi Ostrow, Rebecca Berenson, Victoria McMurrian and Joanne Tedesco-Kloud, coordinators
• , South Orange, N.J. ��� Ann Moore, coordinator, and parishioners
• , Milburn, N.J. ��� Fire Chief Robert Echavarria and coworkers��
• , Westfield, N.J. ��� Marilyn Ryans, coordinator
• , Summit, N.J. ��� Brian Topping, coordinator, coworkers and students
• , Short Hills, N.J. ����� Betsy Guarnieri, Andrea Mansfield and Rosemary Mattson
• , North Caldwell, N.J. ��� Donna Zarros, coordinator
• and ��� Father Nicholas Gengaro, coordinator, and students
• , Bloomfield, N.J. ��� Lorraine McMillian and Judy Nitkowski, coordinators
• , Summit, N.J. ��� Margaret Strong, Theresa Sweeney and volunteers and parishioners
• , Short Hills, N.J. ��� Jessica Marinoff, Leslie Elible and Liz Sherman, coordinators
• , Emerson, N.J. ��� Sandy Johnson, coordinator
• , Verona, N.J. ��� Barbara Yates, coordinator, and parishioners
• , Cedar Grove, N.J. ��� Brenda Pereira, coordinator
• ��� Cindy Oliveira Oswald, coordinator, coworkers
• Mr. and Mrs. Desfardins, Maplewood, N.J.
• , Maplewood, N.J. ��� Marcia Hicks, coordinator, and students
• , West Orange, N.J. ��� Maggie Macias, coordinator
• , Franklin Lakes, N.J. ��� Elizabeth Harakins, coordinator

Thanksgiving Turkey Donations:

• , Short Hills, N.J. ��� Michael Roberts, coordinator, and parishioners
• Office of Youth Ministry at , Ramsey, N.J.
• Kathryn Grifonetti
• Anthony Falco
• Brother Travis Gunther
• , City of Newark

Harmony House Donors:

• , Pastor Oliver Coleman ��� Thanksgiving dinner and toy giveaway
• , Pastor Lawren Monroe ��� Holiday celebration
• ��� Free shopping for families of children who attend Newark Public Schools
• , Lumane Metullus ��� Thanksgiving baskets and household supplies
• Sally Milad ��� Harmony House Christmas Party
• ��� Christmas gift donations
• Loretta Borronat ��� Christmas gift donations
• ��� Christmas gift donations
• , Bria Beaufort ��� Christmas gift donations

The free event is held annually for homeless individuals to receive health screenings, haircuts, food and valuable information about resources.

Photos courtesy of Yonette Fredericks.

These generous supporters of 91心頭 and St. Rose of Lima parish allowed Wilson to distribute more than 2,000 gifts to families this season.

���It is a joy to me when I see so many children in need smiling from ear to ear,��� Wilson said.

In addition to the annual toy drive, Wilson also coordinates a turkey drive so that families can prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

We are deeply grateful to the following groups and individuals for spreading the spirit of joy during the 2022 holiday season:

• , Newton, N.J. – Brother Jee, donated Christmas trees
• Mr. Mark Carelli and Family, Maplewood, N.J.
• , Maplewood, N.J. – Rebecca Berenson, Coordinator
• , South Orange, N.J. – Anne Moore and parishioners
• , Millburn, N.J. – Fire Chief Robert Echavarria, Ted and coworkers
• Frank Consentine, Somerset, N.J.
• , Westfield, N.J. – Marilyn Ryans, Coordinator
• , Summit, N.J. – Brian Topping, coworkers and students
• , Short Hills, N.J. – Elizabeth Guarnieri, Dan Solazzi and parents
• , Verona, N.J. – Barbara Yates and parishioners
• , North Caldwell, N.J. – Donna Zarros, Coordinator
• and – Father Nicholas Gengaro, Coordinator
• , Bloomfield, N.J. – Lorraine McMillian and Judy Nitkowski, Coordinators
• , Short Hills, N.J. – Leslie Eible, Elizabeth Sherman and Jessica Marinoff, Outreach Committee Co-Chairs, and Dr. Jasin, Principal
• , Summit, N.J. – Margaret Strong and Theresa Sweeney
• , Emerson, N.J. – Sandy Johnson, Coordinator
• , Cedar Grove, N.J. – Brenda Pereira
• , Counselors at Law, Newark, N.J. – Cindy Oliveira Oswald and staff
• Mr. and Mrs. Desfardins, Maplewood, N.J.
• , Maplewood, N.J. – Marcia Hicks and students
• Kathryn Grifonetti and Matthew Perricone of The Leonidas Foundation
• , West Orange, N.J. – Pat Paxton, Coordinator
• William and Kathy Hoffman, Lebanon, N.J.

Thanksgiving Turkey Donations

• , Short Hills, N.J. – Mike Roberts, Coordinator, and parishioners
• Kathryn Grifonetti, Old Tappan, N.J.
• , Wycoff, N.J. – Matthew Perricone

One of the sponsors is St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Short Hills, which partners with its sister church, St. Rose of Lima in Newark. St. Rose of Lima parishioners in Short Hills sponsored a turkey drive this year to benefit residents of Newark. Mike Roberts, a member of the church, coordinated the turkey distribution, along with other volunteers. A local Girl Scout troop also helped with the project.

���The families were so very appreciative for the turkeys,��� Wilson said.

Another supporter for the Thanksgiving holiday was Kathryn Grifonetti of Old Tappan. She donated turkeys and other Thanksgiving food for 91心頭 residents.

���This lady is one of the kindest, most thoughtful and generous people that I have ever met,��� Wilson said, explaining that Grifonetti donates throughout the year.

91心頭 is grateful for all of its donors and supporters.

Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, children went in person to shop for items in a pop-up store, but since 2020, the event has been mobile, with items being delivered to families.

91心頭 Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson works closely with NCJW/Essex to ensure NCC children are included in the annual event.

���I would like to thank the entire NCJW/Essex committee and volunteers who gave so much of their time to make this event a successful one for the children,��� Wilson said.

Wilson also thanks others who donated backpacks and school supplies to 91心頭 and St. Rose of Lima parish, including Kathy and Bill Hoffman, Father Owen and parishioners of St. Luke���s Catholic Church of Long Valley, Katherine Grifonetti of Old Tappan, Sister Mary of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church and Margaret Strong of Summit.

Photos courtesy of Anibal Alvelo and Jennifer Wicker-Buchanan.

Honorees enjoyed a hot lunch and received certificates documenting their years of service. In addition, 91心頭 launched a new rewards program that provided honorees with a monetary gift in the form of gift cards of their choice with the amount based on seniority.

91心頭 Chief Financial Officer/Interim Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Mbakaya said she was glad to be able to host Employee Appreciation Day once again after more than two years of time apart.

���We are blessed and lucky to have you all as our employees,��� she told the honorees. ���We do not take you for granted. We know that you all have many choices other than NCC.���

She acknowledged the challenges presented by the pandemic over the past two years and thanked those in attendance for their flexibility and persistence.

���Every one of you is important to the success of NCC,��� Mbakaya said. ���From those who ensure that our working areas are cleaned every day and who show up during snow storms, those who showed up every day during lockdown and enabled us to continue providing the critical services needed. Those who put their lives and those of their families in danger to show up to work during COVID and did not have the option of working from home.���

She continued, ���I am truly amazed and inspired by all of you. It is both an honor and a privilege to work alongside you. I hope we all get to stay around and celebrate our 40 years plus here at NCC.���

91心頭 Director of Human Resources Benjamin Galvez was happy 91心頭 was able to recognize employees in person again.

���It was great to finally hold this event after two years of postponement due to the pandemic and acknowledge our dedicated employees for their years of service to 91心頭 and our mission,��� he said. ���Along with recognizing years of service, this event provides an opportunity for staff to spend time with colleagues all across our network of services and introduce our new rewards program. I see this year���s event as a step towards a renewed commitment to continue to serve our community.���

At the event, 91心頭 Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson received the Monsignor William J. Linder Award in addition to a certificate recognizing her 40 years as an employee of the organization in 2020. The award, named after the late founder of NCC, recognizes ���unwavering commitment, dedication and valuable contribution to the mission of 91心頭.���

NCC Director of Mission Frances Teabout called Wilson up to receive the award.

���It was my distinct honor to present Ms. Wilson with the Monsignor William J. Linder Award,��� Teabout said. ���She has faithfully served NCC residents, employees and families for over 42 years. Every year, collecting and distributing hundreds of gifts, Ms. Wilson ensures every child connected to 91心頭 has a wonderful Christmas. She has put our needs above her own, often riding many miles to collect turkeys for thanksgiving, Christmas trees for the holiday and supplies for back to school.���

Wilson received a standing ovation when Teabout said, ���Ms. Wilson, you said if Monsignor Linder was here, you would tell him well done and I am sure if he was here he would tell you well done.���

Wilson said when she was hired for a role in 91心頭���s Property Management Department, she didn���t know she would remain at the organization for more than four decades. But she soon realized that NCC was special.

���My first day at work, I felt a sense of belonging. I knew that this would be my calling. I simply had that feeling,��� she said. ���This job has truly been my mission in life and I feel as though I have fulfilled it. I pray that God will spare me many more years to do his will.���

2019 Honorees

5 Years of Service
Lawrece Anderson, HHELC
Philip Arthur, Extended Care
Carlos Batista, Environmental Services
Abdul Carter, Youth Services
Jill DeRios, Resident Services
Sharlene Jackson, Youth Services
Edwin Negron, Environmental Services
Maurice Okereke, Extended Care
Marycomfort Opara, HHELC
Keith Ransom, Security

10 Years of Service
Mercy Attah, Security
Dashon Hall, Extended Care
Madeline Miller, Extended Care
Patience Omokaro, Extended Care
Dennis Searwar, Environmental Services

15 Years of Service
Faye M. Harvey, Property Management
Michelle Jenkins, CHELC
Mercedes Navarrete, CHELC
Hope Okpala, CHELC
Roslyn S. Skyles, Adult Learning Center

20 Years of Service
Jacqueline Andrews, SAIF
Robert Broadnax, Security
Maximo A. Deleon, Food Services
Genoveva Ferreras, Food Services
Ramon Gerena, Information Technology
Jermaine Jones, Security
Sharon Jordan, Extended Care
James A. Massey, Security
Angela Potts, HHELC
Vander Walker, Extended Care
Susan Williams, Extended Care
Dorothy J. Artis, Property Management

25 Years of Service
Mulu A. Gebreyesus, Credit Union
Robin L. Harris, Extended Care
Gary Taylor, Environmental Services

30 Years of Service
Eara L. Adebamowo, Extended Care
Gail Eunice, Extended Care
Michelle Grier-Porch, Security
Angela Hall, Harmony House
Kathy Jefferson, Extended Care
Vernice J O���Neal, Home Friends

2020 Honorees

5 Years of Service
Nana Bekoe, Security
Jose Carmona, Environmental Services
Noreen Charles, Extended Care
Nalini Chunnu, Extended Care
Sabine Fortune, Security
Benjamin Galvez, Human Resources
Sonia Garcia, SAIF
Janesa Henry, Security
Anne Moran, Resident Services
Martha Ojibe, Extended Care
Odette Phillip, NCCTI
Joseph Sweet Jr., Environmental Services
Winston Thomas, NCCTI
Luz Toro, Property Management

10 Years of Service
Rosa A. Auquilla, SAIF
Manuel Guzman, Environmental Services
Kim Hawkins, CHELC
Gladys C Inazu, Security
Clifford W Melville, Environmental Services
Joyce N Misiani, Extended Care
Aleta M. Morse, Security
Nancy Nii-Moi, Extended Care
Theresa M Omari, Extended Care
Denise Y Swiney, Extended Care
Lisa Watson, CHELC

15 Years of Service
Amalia Aldana, Adult Learning Center
Lucia Dominguez, CHELC
Ogheneochuko L. Erukanure, Extended Care
Samuel Gaddy, Food Services
Manuela Garcia, Property Management
Clifford E. Josiah, Environmental Services
Priscilla Njoku, Extended Care
Gabriel Robinson, Home Friends

20 Years of Service
Delores Bynum, Extended Care
Stevonne N Cummings, Extended Care
Maria D. Perez, Property Management
Ruth D. Reeves, Finance
Adanech Y. Tesfagiorgis, Finance

25 Years of Service
Jonathan Butler, NCCTI
Patricia Tucker, Extended Care

30 Years of Service
Gloria Austin, Extended Care
Jeanette Morales, Environmental Services
Meena Pilgrim, Home Friends

40 Years of Service
Madge D. Wilson, Administration

2021 Honorees

5 Years of Service
Janet Maye Adekunle, Extended Care
William Arango, Adult Learning Center
Veronica Asebiomo, Extended Care
Onassis Boafo, Extended Care
James Bullock, Adult Learning Center
Darlene Grimsley, HHELC
Christiana A Ibeh, Extended Care
Elizabeth Jimenez, Adult Learning Center
Temitope Kayode, Environmental Services
Andrea Kelly, NCCTI
Priscilla Ordonez, Property Management
Colin Pilgrim, Environmental Services
Maurice Savadogo, Extended Care
Bianka Shields, Extended Care
Andrew Solomon, Environmental Services
Glenda Wills, Adult Learning Center
John Zuniga, Environmental Services

10 Years of Service
Yuri Abrams, Environmental Services
Fernando A. Argueta, Environmental Services
Peggy F Barnes, Harmony House
Trudiann J Clement, Property Management
Tony Drye, Security
Emmanuel Ekechukwu, Extended Care
Juan R Figueredo, Environmental Services
Marianne K. Ilunga, Extended Care
Donald McGill, Environmental Services
Folasade A. Ogunniran, Extended Care
Sabrina E. Prunty, Extended Care
Lenette Tillman, CHELC
Winton Tolles, Real Estate Development
Patricia Washington, Corporate Office
Cheick Yaora, Security

15 Years of Service
Deborah Bradley, Security
Alisha Chatman, Property Management
Ruby Cueto De Luna, Finance
Letekidan Ghebreselasse, Extended Care
Marie Carme Jean Paul, Extended Care
Sandy T. Le, Property Management
Edward Morris, Youth Services
Linda Washington, Harmony House

20�� Years of Service
Yolanda Dawson, Extended Care
Damari Hernandez, CHELC
Zoisha A. Holder, CHELC
Carolyn Lowe, CHELC
Rafaela Made, Extended Care
Julius Malker, Information Technology
Marilyn Rodriguez, Family Service Bureau
Frances Teabout, Mission

25 Years of Service
Sheila D. Coleman, Extended Care
Gabe Coley, Environmental Services

30 Years of Service
Melinda Liptrot, Security

35 Years of Service
Elmin Debbie Rohrman, Administration

91心頭 board members, employees and friends gathered at Monsignor William J. Linder Plaza on April 12 to celebrate the 89th birthday of Madge Wilson, who serves as the organization���s Outreach Coordinator and is a long-time member of its Board of Directors.

Wilson has worked at 91心頭 for 42 years, starting her NCC career in the Property Management Department in 1980. In addition to helping community members secure housing, she has served countless individuals over the years beyond her official job responsibilities. She started a Christmas drive, which she still does today, arranging for the collection of holiday gifts for children from a variety of sources and distributing them to families in need. She also distributes donated turkeys to families in need for Thanksgiving to ensure they have a festive holiday meal.

Wilson works with the National Council of Jewish Women Essex County (NCJW/Essex) to ensure 91心頭 and Saint Rose of Lima families are able to participate in the organization���s annual Back 2 School Store, which takes place each summer. It provides school supplies, shoes, clothing, winter coats and toiletries to county residents in need who are identified by area organizations.

In addition to the annual events, Wilson also helps 91心頭 residents furnish their apartments if necessary. She will arrange for pick up and drop off of donated furniture to make the units truly feel like home.

She also fields phone calls from residents, prospective residents and employees and helps them in whatever way she can.

���We wanted to honor Ms. Wilson and celebrate her on her special day,��� said Chief Financial Officer and interim Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Mbakaya. ���She does so much for 91心頭, its residents, its employees and its clients. This served as a small token of our appreciation.���

91心頭 Board Chairman Dr. A. Zachary Yamba wished Wilson a very happy birthday.

���It���s a real milestone,��� he said. ���We continue to wish her good health so she can continue doing what she���s been doing for NCC.���

91心頭 Director of Mission Frances Teabout said the celebration marked Wilson���s birthday but also celebrated her work over the years.

���There is no limit to Ms. Wilson���s compassion and commitment to helping individuals in need,��� Teabout said. ���She is the walking, talking embodiment of the mission of 91心頭.���

Wilson was very grateful for the celebration and provided the following message:

It was once said that ���The best present you can gift anyone on their birthday is your time.��� That said, I am beside myself with immense gratitude that my friends, family, colleagues and the community gave me their time and undivided attention by playing a special part in my celebration of 89 years of life!

Words can never adequately express my appreciation for this gesture of honoring me on my special day. I sincerely appreciate all the in-person well wishes at the event and felt so special to have received so many telephone calls, cards, flowers and last, but certainly not least, an abundance of prayers. The perfect recipe for a beautiful birthday is to be surrounded by the people you love and those who love and admire you. And, yes, NCC ���understood the assignment��� (as the young folks say) and they did not disappoint!��

I am sure many can attest to this; as the years pass in our lives, it is essential to realize that every precious year is an opportunity to reflect and hold dear to our hearts a few good memories. Thanks to a circle of beautiful people I have in my life, I will add the memory of the delightful celebration of my 89th birthday.��

Since this day of celebration, I wake up each morning with the gentlest smile on my face reminiscing about the event and the outpouring of love and appreciation for my life���s toil. As most of you know, I have been aligned with 91心頭 for 42 years. I chose this career path because I believe love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries, in helping to build marginalized communities. I passionately believe you cannot hope to create a better world without improving individuals��� lives, especially those in need of essential services, housing and employment support to meet their basic human needs.��

As Nelson Mandela poignantly stated, ���To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.��� To this end, I have worked day and night, often working seven days a week, sometimes alongside Monsignor Linder, embracing the mission of NCC: to help residents of inner cities improve the quality of their lives to reflect individual God-given dignity and personal achievement. This is truly my proudest achievement in life, and I vow to continue this path of dedication until the ultimate calling from the most high.��

In closing, please know that I am praying for you all and I thank you for your prayers for me. I thank God for allowing me to see another year of a life of service. Please know that the greatest gift you can continue to give is the gift of service by joining forces with 91心頭 to help make a difference in the greater community. I witnessed first-hand what this organization has done; transforming the City of Newark to become one of the largest and most comprehensive community developments in the nation! Your commitment to join me in continuing the work of this internationally renowned organization will be appreciated. The gift of service legacy is the greatest gift of all!

91心頭 Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson coordinated the annual Toy Drive as she has done for many years. She had the following message:

Our children always get excited about Christmas when the first ad appears on television. It was no different this year. When I sent out the Christmas wish list, it was returned with so many wishes. I tried very hard to be sure that the children received all of their wishes and desires.

This was an extraordinary holiday season because the sponsors and donors went over and above to be sure that every child got what they wanted. For that, I am so truly grateful and appreciative of their kindness.

I look forward with great anticipation each year to coordinate the toy drive because it is a joy for me to see those little happy faces and bright eyes sparkle with glee.

I have a motto: ���It���s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.��� Our donors expressed their love for our children.

In addition to the generosity and thoughtfulness of the donations of Christmas gifts for the annual Toy Drive, 91心頭 also had donors that were concerned that our families wouldn���t have a Thanksgiving meal together so a collection of turkeys was coordinated by St. Rose of Lima Church, Short Hills, N.J. For more information about the turkey drive, click here.

We are deeply grateful to the following groups and individuals for spreading the spirit of joy during the 2021 holiday season:

• St. Paul���s Abbey, Newton, N.J. – Brother Bernardo Lee, donated Christmas trees
• Mr. Mark Carelli and Family, Maplewood, N.J.
• Weichert Realty (The Mill), Maplewood, N.J. – Rebecca Berenson, Coordinator
• Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, South Orange, N.J. – Jonathan Arena and Anne Moore, Coordinators
• Fire Chief Robert Echavarria, Millburn Fire Department, and coworkers
• Frank Consentine, Somerset, N.J.
• St. Helen Catholic Church, Westfield, N.J. – Marilyn Ryans, Coordinator
• Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, Summit, N.J. – Brian Topping, coworkers and students
• St. Rose of Lima Academy, Short Hills, N.J. – Elizabeth Guarnieri and Dan Solazzi, Coordinators
• Our Lady of the Lake, Verona, N.J. – Barbara Yates, Coordinator
• Notre Dame Catholic Parish, North Caldwell, N.J. ? Donna Zarros, Coordinator
• Seton Hall University School of Law and The Thomas More Society – Father Nicholas Gengaro, Coordinator
• St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Bloomfield, N.J. – Lorraine McMillian and Judy Nitkowski, Coordinators
• Glenwood Elementary School, Short Hills, N.J.
• St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, Summit, N.J. – Margaret Strong and Theresa Sweeney
• Church of the Assumption Catholic Church, Emerson, N.J. – Sandy Johnson, Coordinator
• St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Cedar Grove, N.J. – Brenda Pereira and Denise Parkes
• Meyner and Landis, Counselors at Law, Newark, N.J. – Cindy Oliveira Oswald and coworkers
• Mr. and Mrs. Desfardins, Maplewood, N.J.
• Columbia High School, Maplewood, N.J. – Marcia Hicks and students
• Kathryn Grifonetti and Matthew Perricone of the Leonidas Foundation
• Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, West Orange, N.J. – Pat Paxton, Coordinator

The parishioners who organized and participated included coordinator Michael Roberts, retired chief of the Millburn Fire Department; Kathryn Grifonetti, Charitable Initiatives Director of the Leonidas Foundation; and Matthew Perricone, President of the Leonidas Foundation.��

During Roberts��� tenure with the Millburn Fire Department, he led a toy drive to support the children of 91心頭 and St. Rose of Lima Church in Newark for the Christmas holiday. Even in retirement, he makes sure that the toy drive is carried out each year. Wilson is involved in the pickup and distribution of many gifts to children during the Christmas season.

91心頭 thanks the church members for their kindness and generosity.

Photos:

Group shot: Parishioners of St. Rose of Lima Church in Short Hills, including members of the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, pose during the turkey and food drive held on Nov. 20. 91心頭 Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson, standing in the center, arranged for pickup and distribution prior to Thanksgiving. Photo courtesy of Madge Wilson.

Pair: Retired Millburn Fire Department Chief Michael Roberts stands with 91心頭 Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson at the St. Rose of Lima turkey and food drive on Nov. 20 in Short Hills. Roberts has held a toy drive with the fire department to provide Christmas gifts to the children of 91心頭 and St. Rose of Lima in Newark. Photo courtesy of Madge Wilson.

Wilson met the late Monsignor William J. Linder, founder of 91心頭, at Queen of Angels parish in 1962 where he was first assigned after graduating from the seminary and becoming an ordained priest. After he and other community members started 91心頭 in 1968, Wilson became involved. She was one of the founding members of Babyland Nursery, which provided childcare services, in 1969. After 91心頭 constructed housing, Wilson officially joined NCC as an employee in 1980, becoming a member of the Property Management Department as a manager for family and senior housing. She previously worked for the Newark Housing Authority from 1964 to 1980 so she had experience in that area.

Over the last four decades, Wilson has helped people in more ways than just through her official job responsibilities. While working in the Property Management Department, she began the annual Christmas drive, which she still does today. She arranges for the collection of holiday gifts for children from a variety of sources, including Catholic schools, churches and individual donors, and distributes them to families in need connected to 91心頭 and Saint Rose of Lima Church, where she has been a member since 1974, when Monsignor Linder began serving as pastor there. She also distributes donated turkeys to families in need for Thanksgiving to ensure they have a festive holiday meal.

Wilson works with the National Council of Jewish Women Essex County (NCJW/Essex) to ensure 91心頭 and Saint Rose of Lima families are able to participate in the organization���s annual Back 2 School Store, which takes place each summer. It provides school supplies, shoes, clothing, winter coats and toiletries to county residents in need who are identified by area organizations.

In addition to the annual events, Wilson also helps 91心頭 residents furnish their apartments if necessary. She will arrange for pick up and drop off of donated furniture to make the units truly feel like home.��

Since becoming an NCC employee, she has worked to help secure housing for military veterans, many who have been on the brink of homelessness. She has worked with members of the Veterans Administration Hospital in East Orange and Lyons to ensure veterans have a safe place to go upon discharge.

Wilson said she came to 91心頭 to work for the people who needed it most and that goal hasn���t changed.

���There were so many poor people and that���s who I try to help, poor people that need help,��� she said. ���I said when I came to work for 91心頭 that I would never leave and that I just wanted to be able to help people. To make a difference in their lives. And I���ve done that.���

Now Wilson serves as 91心頭���s Outreach Coordinator and is a long-time member of the organization���s Board of Directors. At 88 years old, she has no plans to retire.

���I���m staying busy and that���s what keeps me going,��� she said. ���My satisfaction is helping people. That���s my mission.���

Her hard work and dedication are well-known to 91心頭 residents, staff members and fellow board members.

���Madge Wilson is one of those rare individuals. She���s an embodiment of what NCC stands for, which is service and commitment to the community from the young to the elderly,��� said 91心頭 Board Chairman Dr. A. Zachary Yamba. ���But more importantly, she does it with such grace and joy that it���s really a testament to her deep and abiding faith in people.���

Wilson has had her own set of personal trials, including health challenges, but she has never let anything stop her from serving others.

���After Monsignor Linder, there is no one who encapsulates the NCC mission more than Madge. She has worked tirelessly for the people of Newark every day for over 41 years. Madge works one-on-one with people and it is incredible to think of the sheer number of people Madge has impacted over this long life of service to others. From children to seniors she has been there for everyone,��� said 91心頭 CEO Richard Rohrman. ���Madge was also dedicated to helping Monsignor Linder through his health issues and went to the Extended Care Facility every night after work until late to be with him so that he always had company. She is the definition of kindness. You could not ask for a better person to be on your side than Madge. I have been lucky to have known and been inspired by my friend for 40 of these years.���

Wilson has been recognized on numerous occasions for her work by other organizations as well. She was honored as an Essex County Legend by the Essex County Division of Senior Services in 2010, received a letter of recognition from President Barack Obama in 2011, was named Volunteer of the Year for her efforts on behalf of long-term care residents by the Health Care Association of New Jersey in 2016 and received the Saint Vincent Academy Woman of Distinction Award in 2017.

While she is grateful for the accolades, Wilson said she doesn���t expect or need recognition. She simply wants to do the work that needs to be done to fulfill 91心頭���s mission: to help residents of inner cities improve the quality of their lives to reflect individual God-given dignity and personal achievement.

���The love that I have for 91心頭 is unspeakable,��� she said. ���This is my home.���