• Award of Excellence - $10,000
• Awards of Achievement - $3,000
• Awards of Merit - $1,000

Rich Dwyer, Regional Public Affairs Manager - External Affairs department and a group of associates, known as the PSEG Community Development Team, have become positive role models for many of Jersey City’s students by providing self-esteem building activities in a nurturing and caring environment. Through their commitment to the NJ Tae Kwon Do for Youth Foundation, the team plans, organizes and implements creative projects that keep children off the streets and away from gang influence. Lessons focus on an array of subjects such as nutrition, career building and the environment. In 2008, the team was presented with the “Corporate Volunteers Partnership Award” by the Friends of Liberty State Park and The “Conservation Service Award” by the Ducks Unlimited for their environmental endeavors and advocacy. The group enabled inner city young people to “take the world into their own hands” by exposing them to potential careers in habitat enhancement through hands-on projects such as starting oyster gardens, monitoring the health of shellfish and the waterway, and constructing wood duck and kestrel boxes, as well as a bluebird house.  In addition, the team and students traveled to Detroit to compete in the USA Tae Kwon Do Junior Olympics and returned with eight medals: two gold, three silver and three bronze.

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Awards of Achievement - $3,000

James Christiano, Group Supervisor in Customer Services-Inquiry, for his dedication to the Eagle Rock Reservation Conservancy in Essex County. As a child, Jim remembers the Reservation as a place to reflect, jog, or view the New York skyline. Today, these memories fuel Jim’s mission to give back so that others may experience what the Reservation offers. He and a team of volunteers spend many of their weekends restoring the beauty of the Reservation by cutting down trees in danger of falling, cleaning out culverts to secure water flow throughout the forest, keeping roads clear for emergency crews and keeping a close watch on the Reservation’s September 11 Memorial.

For Cheryl Olcheski, Senior Administrative Associate, Communications and Advertising at PSEG Newark, one phone call to the American Red Cross changed her life for the better. Her willingness to help those in need came as a result of viewing the horrors of Hurricane Katrina. As a member of the Disaster Assistance Team (DAT) in Northern New Jersey, Cheryl serves as a team leader assisting clients in need of shelter, food and clothing after any given disaster. Whether she’s working during a fire, a hostage situation or answering the call for help from local government, Cheryl spends many of her weekends and weeknights offering expertise and compassion, which makes a lasting impression on the countless residents who receive her assistance.

A senseless act of violence motivated Karen J. Roots, Administrative Assistant in Communications and Advertising at PSEG Nuclear, to establish the Positive Impact Movement, an organization dedicated to Salem City’s children, senior citizens and neighborhood development. Working with local authorities and community residents, the group has led an effort to stop the violence plaguing the city, by patrolling specified zones and reporting suspicious or questionable activities. Their efforts have been instrumental in major drug busts and other crime prevention acts, which have decreased overall crime and drug activity.

Under Karen’s leadership, Positive Impact Movement sponsors Town Hall forums that provide information, updates and educational presentations, as well as a place for citizens to voice concerns to local officials. In addition, Karen provides a positive image to neighborhood youths, spending hours to help promote education, community involvement and pride.

David A. Rower, Service Specialist, Newark Service Operations-Appliance Service, for his seven years of dedication to Street Light Mission, Inc., which offers service in NY and NJ. David, along with a few volunteers, started a Friday night outreach -- by serving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from their cars -- to the poor, needy, addicted and homeless in the Newark and Elizabeth areas. Since then, the effort has evolved into two “Relief Buses” that bring service referrals, food, clothing and hope to people in need. David’s efforts complement the organization’s full time day outreach, which has connected more than 125,000 people with help and services since 1989.

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Awards of Merit - $1,000

Scott Bickhart, Nuclear Control Operator, Nuclear Operations in Salem for 14 years of dedicated service with the Boy Scouts of America, Southern NJ Council. Scott currently serves as Cub master for boys' in grades 1-5 and Scoutmaster for boys ages 11-18 years. In addition, he is an advisor for a Coed Venture Crew program, which provides high-adventure outdoor experiences for teenagers and young adults, ages 14-20 years. He also shares his scouting knowledge and experience with other adult volunteers in Gloucester and Salem Counties, and trains new leaders. Scott assists in fundraising and devotes a great deal of time to plan a successful two-week excursion to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He believes scouts can use the skills learned in the program throughout life and every day he puts his own skills to good use.

Susanna Chiu, Director-Business Development in Newark, for her role as vice principal at the Mid-Jersey Chinese School, which promotes cultural diversity and understanding, and provides students with foreign language opportunities that are not available in most school systems.  In addition to language education, the school offers a wide variety of cultural education. Having ensured a smooth transition of students merging from a smaller school to the larger Mid-Jersey Chinese School, Susanna continues to support teachers, manage the registration process, plan and execute school events and work with parents.  In 2009, she will assume responsibility as principal and will focus on community participation and enhancement of the student’s overall learning experience.

For the past three years, Lisa Coons Administrative Associate, Bergen Generating Station, has worked persistently to rescue homeless and abused animals, and to find them adoptive homes.  At Angels for Animals Network, Lisa also helps run the spaying and neutering program for feral cats in several counties in North Jersey. She believes her involvement with the organization allows her to honor her father’s memory and follow a path that would have made him proud. Oftentimes, Lisa travels at her own expense to homes to assist in trapping the animals and then transporting them to participating animal shelters.

There they receive the necessary medical attention, are spayed/neutered, and finally released to their original colonies when applicable or moved to safer, more appropriate locations.

Robert A. Green, Senior Consultant - Risk Management/Treasury, for nearly 22 years of dedicated service to the Colonia Volunteer Fire Department. In 2008, Bob was promoted to First Assistant Chief. He currently serves as the department's training officer and ensures that the department remains in compliance with government regulations. Bob also assists the fire department in its goal to train young people, ages 14 -18, as Explorers, so that many of them can make the transition to firefighter at age 18.

Michael J. Gaffney, Division Manager, Northern Gas, for dedicated service with the Rutherford Little League. For the last eleven years, he has served in every capacity in the organization, including a board officer, team manager, coach, field maintenance person and concession volunteer. In addition to teaching the players the importance of good sportsmanship and rules of the game, he helps organize little league assignments to ensure they’re scheduled and maintained.  The organization appreciates and respects Mike’s unwavering dedication and willingness to get the job done.

Francis L. Grenier – Nuclear Operations Training Instructor, Salem Power, for five years of keeping the Bishop Guilfoyle School technologically connected and savvy.   A few days a week, he installs new computer hardware and software, as well as maintains existing computers, wireless network and the computer-based weather station. In his role as Sea Perch captain for the Robotics team, Frank works with students 11 years and older, to encourage an interest in underwater science, build confidence through public speaking and develop teamwork.  Sea Perch is a submarine competition sponsored by the US Navy, Drexel and MIT.

Robert A. Henriksen, BOP Branch Manager, Salem Plant Engineering, Salem, for dedicated service with the Project RAKE Foundation, Inc., which has helped hundred of families. Over the past five years, Bob has participated in about nine projects lasting two to three days and averaging 50 hours per year. He has performed free home repairs for low-income families throughout southern and southeastern Pennsylvania. Repairs include roof replacement, plumbing, installation of ramps, electrical services, or other needed home repairs.  He also determines the scope of work, prepares detailed list of things to repair, and purchases material. Bob is a volunteer crew chief and runs a repair team made up of teenage volunteers.

He and other adult team leaders encourage a “hands off” approach for the adults, which enables teenagers to learn the required skills.

Walter Demeraski, Data Systems Administrator for Customer Operations in Springfield, and Howard Londner, Service Specialist for Oakland Service Operations, for 54 years of combined service with the Fair Lawn Borough Volunteer Fire Company #3. Walt joined the fire company in 1974. Over the years, he has served as Engineer, 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant and Deputy Chief. In 1993, he became Chief and he is responsible for personnel issues, budgets, training and the overall readiness of the department. After serving as Chief, Walt didn't sit on the sidelines. He served another tour as a fire officer.

Howard has been with the company for 19 years and has held positions as Secretary, Vice President, President, Engineer, 2nd Lieutenant and 1st Lieutenant. He became Captain (company commander) in 2006. He also serves on many company and department committees, and is a trustee to the department relief association, which is responsible for aiding firefighters who need financial assistance.

Tina Malinak, Business Analyst for Customer Operations in Newark, for her 15-year commitment to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. The Center’s mission is to rehabilitate and release stranded or otherwise injured marine mammals and sea turtles in New Jersey. Each year, the organization takes in between 150 - 200 animals. Whether it's assisting stranded animals on the beach, giving a tour of the Center's museum, or working in the gift shop, Tina's there to lend a hand. She uses her IT skills to keep the computers running, or to create a new database to track the organization's inventory and contributors. In addition, Tina trains new volunteers, coordinates outreach programs by setting up booths at festivals, and is accountable for money collected during special fund raising events.

Tina teaches the Center's visitors about the organization's work and the role of marine mammals in our world.

William E. Metts, Senior Staff Accountant in Internal Services at PSEG, for his 27-year commitment to our youth through the Boy Scouts of America-Northern NJ Council. Bill has especially made an impact in inner city communities and underprivileged neighborhoods served by the Council. He currently serves as Assistant Council Commissioner for five districts, providing guidance to other leaders who help bring scouting programs to local communities. He is District Dean of Merit Badges and also works with scouts individually, as a personal management and communications merit badge counselor. Bill is one of the Council's most respected leaders and an excellent example of how scouting can change lives.

For the past 20 years, William Quinn, Service Dispatcher, Bergen, has worked with youngsters between the ages of 3-17 who have set fires, used fire inappropriately or displayed an unusual fascination with fire.  As a fire safety educator at CarePlus NJ, he helps run sessions from a local firehouse where the children learn decision-making skills, the consequences of the wrong decisions, the dangers of fire, general fire department operations and fire prevention in home. Since its inception, the organization has provided fire safety education to average of 100 children each year and has a success rate of approximately 98 percent.

Wanting to make a difference in her community, Donna J. Vanderhook, Senior Administrative Assistant, joined Friends of Wayne Animals (FOWA). For the past sixteen years, Donna had nurtured, loved and found permanent homes for the countless animals throughout her community. As president of FOWA she helps rescue feral cats, kittens, dogs and puppies from high kill shelters and other rescue groups, and she assists the general public in aggressively advertising the need for permanent homes for these animals. In addition, she works tirelessly to raise much needed funds for low cost spay and neuter programs, promote awareness of pet cruelty and educate the community on proper pet care.

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