Hopatcong Officials Honor Local Organizations

The services that local organizations provide for Hopatcong residents are valuable to the community, Mayor Sylvia Petillo said at Wednesday's Hopatcong Borough Council meeting, and she wanted to make sure that they were recognized.

Petillo issued proclomations Wednesday night to the Project Self-Sufficiency of Sussex County, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Intervention Services (DASI), and the borough's Woman's Club to show appreciation for the positive impact the groups have and to raise awareness to residents about the services they provide.

"Tonight we would like to give tribute to three amazing organizations that reach beyond themselves into our community to make a difference in the lives of our residents," Petillo read from a prepared statement.

Although each organization has a different mission, Petillo pointed out that they all share the same "compassion and dedication for people in need."

Members of each group were present to receive a plaque from Petillo and give a short speech about what their organization does.

Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon spoke first, saying that her organization has close ties to Hopatcong because their first ever board president was from Hopatcong, and the Hopatcong schools were the first they ever partnered with.

"We have a long history with Hopatcong," Berry-Toon said, "and we look forward to continuing that history and to perhaps get back into the community."

Project Self-Sufficiency helps low income families become more stable. It offers a number of programs to prevent instances such as welfare dependency, unemployment, homelessness, and school failure.

Berry-Toon said that the organization is full of single parents, families, and people of all ages, who are all tied together with one common goal; "hope and possibility."

Executive Director of DASI Jamie Barnard spoke at the meeting, explaining her organization's mission to provide services to victims of domestic and sexual violence including community education, prevention programs and advocacy.

Co-presidents of Hopatcong's Women's Club Ellen Buongiorno and Marlene received their proclomation for their club, which Petillo said has worked closely with DASI.

"We have honored our Woman's Club many times for all of the assistance they give to our community," Petillo said. "Tonight we want to honor them for the work they have done on behalf of DASI."

The group has donated linens, shampoos and other toiletry items to DASI, Petillo said, that is used for those who need assistance.

Petillo, who is a part of the Women's Club, said the group keeps increasing and continues to make a positive impact in the borough.

"The Women's Club is growing very quickly, and we're always looking for women who are interested in working hard and taking on some of these projects," she said. "They do a tremendous amount of community work; they donate things in town, they help with everything."