Current Events
| PSE&G Hosts Reception For "Sons of Thunder" |
PSE&G recently hosted a reception for the award winning "Sons of Thunder" Choir (Al Bundy, Content Producer). The reception followed the airing of NJN's public affairs program, which featured a half-hour special on the Sons of Thunder, the music ministry chorus group from the St. Matthew A.M.E. Church in Orange, NJ. Veteran actor Ossie Davis narrated the documentary, Blessed Assurance: The Sons of Thunder.
The program highlighted the Sons of Thunder as they visited the Essex County Youth Detention Center and a local senior citizens center, where they offered hope and inspiration through their joyful, heartfelt performances. The documentary followed the choir as they delivered their uplifting message to troubled youths and lonely seniors. The men have developed a unique bond, a bond that is connected by their faith, and they are committed to making a difference in the community they serve. According to one member, "We're trying to brighten up the world a little bit with our thunder and our lightening, trying to make a loud sound and make a bright pathway."
Reverend Reginald Jackson has served as the pastor of St. Matthew since 1981, and under his direction the congregation has grown from approximately 150 to more than 1500 individuals who are actively engaged in ministry, mission and outreach.
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Volunteer Spotlight
| PSE&G Employees "Team Up" For The Environment and Wildlife |
 It started simply. A group of employees from PSE&G's Hudson Generating Station were concerned about their surrounding environment. So they got together, volunteering their time to help protect and restore the delicate ecosystem of the Hackensack River.
Since then, PSE&G's Environmental Partnership Team has accomplished much. Their projects center largely around providing safe, "natural" housing for local wildlife that have suffered due to highway expansion and other community sprawl.
For Example:
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- 12 osprey nests were placed along the banks of the Hackensack River, welcoming birds that follow the course of the Hackensack River from Raritan Bay.
- 30 wildlife rehabilitation and soft-release cages were erected to protect sick, injured or orphaned animals.
- 24 bat houses were placed along the Hackensack River banks. Bats eat mosquitoes, and it is hoped that the houses attract the bats, to combat West Nile Virus.
- More than 100 birdhouses were built and distributed along the riverbanks and other open natural spaces.
- More than 100 wood duck boxes were built and distributed to help wood ducks find safe nesting.
- 16 stanchions for interpretive signs were erected for the Hackensack River Stories Project along the walkway in Teaneck. The project tells the story of life on, in, and along the River.
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 PSE&G's Environmental Partnership Team has grown to include employees from many departments within PSEG. The team recently received a Ducks Unlimited Lifetime Achievement Award and was named a 2002 Friend of the Hackensack River. PSEG is proud that its employees donate their time and efforts to make the environment healthier for "man and beast" alike.
To learn more about the Environmental Partnership Team, join them, or donate project supplies, contact PSE&G's Rich Dwyer at 201-330-6629.
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Focus on Nonprofits
| PSE&G Women Receive "Making A Difference" Awards |
 Soroptimist International of Suburban Essex has been serving the communities of Essex County since 1949 and annually recognizes individuals and institutions that exemplify its goals. Soroptimist International is a worldwide organization for women in management and the professions working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women.
Recently, Soroptimist International of Suburban Essex held their annual Making a Difference for Women Luncheon at Essex County College. Honored for their contributions to human rights and advancing the status of women were Rosa Schmidt and Maria Schmatz from PSE&G.
The organization presented its Women of Distinction award to Rosa Schmidt, human resources business partner at PSE&G, for her leadership work with Junior Achievement of New Jersey, including the successful merger of the four Junior Achievement chapters in the state.
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 The Women Helping Women award was presented to Maria Schmatz, energy management systems technical consultant at PSE&G, for her tireless volunteer work with St. John's Soup Kitchen, including the coordination of a team of coworkers who volunteer regularly at St. John's.
Rochelle Evans, President of the Suburban Essex chapter, said: "This year's nominees represent very diverse areas. Selecting our honorees from all those who were submitted was very difficult, given all their significant contributions."
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Awards and Announcements
| Light of Hope Campaign and CASA - Focusing on Abused and Neglected Children |
 Right now in New Jersey, about 10,700 children live in out-of-home placement - in foster care, residential placement facilities, and group homes. These children have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs provide services through county CASA organizations located throughout New Jersey, and across the country. They recruit, train, and supervise community volunteers to advocate in the juvenile courts for the best interests of these children.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. In an effort to bring attention to the number and plight of children in out-of-home placement in New Jersey alone, CASA programs in our state decided to distribute 10,700 candles - one for each New Jersey child in this situation - through a "Light of Hope Campaign." Girl Scouts and Rotary Clubs helped distribute the candles, along with informational materials. Liza Kirschenbaum, Esq., Executive Director, CASA of New Jersey, asked that community members place these candles in their windows on April 11, as a symbol of hope and support for the more than 3 million children reported abused or neglected in our country each year.
New Jersey CASA's "Light of Hope Campaign" was sponsored by PSE&G. Bill Walsh, the company's Director of Corporate Responsibility said, "PSE&G is committed to helping make the future brighter for these children in New Jersey."
And in conjunction with CASA's efforts, New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey declared April 11 as "CASA Light of Hope Day," to bring focus to the enormity of the issue and to recognize this unique organization, which dedicates itself every day to helping abused and neglected children find safe, loving and permanent homes.
For additional information about CASA of New Jersey or to become a CASA volunteer, contact Liza Kirschenbaum at CASA, 973-410-9409, or visit the CASA Web site at casaofnj.org
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