Community spirit

Standing, from left, Bob Zaborowski, Somerset County freeholder; Steve Proctor; Jean Wadsworth; Casey Crabill, President of Raritan Valley Community College; Mark Caligure, Somerset County freeholder; Anita & Jim Ventantonio of Bridgewater, NJ; front, Patrick Scaglione, Somerset County freeholder.

“Matheny needs to grow in order to take care of those families who need them.” With those words, the Rev. John Graf, co-chair of the Spirit of Somerset Awards, introduced Matheny president Steve Proctor and The Friends of Matheny recording secretary Jean Wadsworth to accept their Spirit of Somerset Awards, given June 13 at a special ceremony at the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ.

Proctor talked about the origins of Matheny and how the original school was founded by Walter and Marguerite Matheny, whose son Chuck had cerebral palsy. He described how Matheny has evolved into a special hospital for children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities and how difficult it is for parents to decide that their child would be better off living at the hospital, rather than at home.

Wadsworth, a past president of The Friends of Matheny, recalled how, “nearly 30 years ago, a small group of relative newcomers to the Somerset Hills organized a fundraising group to support what was then the Matheny School. In the intervening years, The Friends has raised over $3 million to support the work of what has become the Matheny Medical and Educational Center.”

She then described the many contributions the group has made over the years. As an example, she invited members of the audience to, “be there on the weekend, and you will see residents enjoying entertainment that has been funded by The Friends. Know that these residents can also go skiing or ice skating using adaptive equipment, again funded by The Friends.”

Funds raised at the Spirit of Somerset event will benefit Somerset Treatment Services, an agency based in Somerville, NJ, that provides treatment and preventive services to persons suffering from substance abuse or HIV-related illnesses.

From left, Jim Hintenach, Sean Murphy, Sheryl Gavaras and Alex Fraumann.

“Books Sheryl Has Never Read” and “Sheryl’s Favorite Foods” were among the categories in a special Sheryl Jeopardy game, a centerpiece of the festivities honoring Sheryl Gavaras, who is retiring as principal of the Matheny School. Gavaras joined the Matheny School in 2002 as project administrator, moving up to director and acting administrator in 2005 and principal in 2007.

At her retirement party at the Bridgewater Manor in Bridgewater, NJ, Steve Proctor, president of Matheny, thanked her for her years of “great leadership” while others, notably vice president of operations Chris King and teacher Ken Brucato, skewered her as part of a roast. Although there was deejay for dancing, the musical highlight of the evening was a parody from The Sound of Music sung by vice principal Sean Murphy, phys ed teacher Jim Hintenach and technology coordinator Alex Fraumann.

Doug Harter with his son, Jack, a Matheny student, being interviewed by WCBS-TV's Cindy Hsu on the day before Miles for Matheny 2011.

Matheny won two awards at the 44th Annual Jersey Awards, held June 7 by the New Jersey Advertising Club at the Chart House in Weehawken, NJ. The awards, both in the “Public Relations Feature Media Placement” category were: 2^nd place for WCBS-TV coverage of Miles for Matheny 2011; and 3rd place for “Walking Miles for Matheny” coverage of Miles for Matheny 2011 in the Bernardsville News.

The awards were presented by co-hosts Herb Barry, former radio personality and current senior sales executive at transit advertising firm Titan 360; and Terrie Carr, music director and midday host at WDHA 105.5FM, “The Rock of New Jersey.”

Natalia Manning with Johnson & Johnson vice president Arun Kumar.

“My art makes me feel free.”

Using an automated communications device, Arts Access artist Natalia Manning told a roomful of Johnson & Johnson employees what creating art means to her. The occasion was the opening reception for a special exhibition of Arts Access artwork at the J&J Information Technology Building in Raritan, NJ. More than 50 works of art created by 20 Arts Access artists are on display through the end of October on all four floors of the building. The exhibit includes paintings, digital art and sculptures.

Three other Arts Access artists – Jessica Evans, Chris Saglimbene and Alex Stojko – accompanied Manning to the reception, along with several members of the Arts Access staff.  Matheny’s Arts Access Program enables people with disabilities to create fine art, assisted by professional artist-facilitators.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie congratulated Matheny on the success of Miles for Matheny. In a letter sent June 1, the Governor wrote:

“On behalf of the State of New Jersey, I am pleased to recognize your efforts in organizing the 15th annual Miles for Matheny fundraiser. The commitment you have demonstrated to raising support and awareness for those with developmental disabilities has touched the lives of many throughout our state.  I am delighted to learn that the event was a success, and I applaud all of you on a job well done.”

Thank you, Gov. Christie.

From left, Francis Mancho’s father Joseph Mancho; sister Amundan; mother Maureen; Francis; and friend Dick Endis of Whitehouse Station, NJ, in front of the community garden.

Last June, Francis Mancho, a resident of Budd Lake, NJ, received a $3,000 grant from the Jenny Jones Foundation to buy two new HP Touchsmart 610 xt series computers for Matheny students to use at our Tea Time Café. The café is part of Matheny’s transitional program for young adults, which teaches students retail skills as they sell food and beverages to Matheny staff members. The computers were important because the students’ disabilities make it difficult for them to ring up sales on a cash register.

Food products have included organic produce grown by Mancho at a garden at his church in Flanders, NJ. Now Mancho and his family have gone a step further. They have donated a community garden to Matheny, creating, planning and caring for it on the Matheny grounds. The first crop should be ready soon. Francis, as a student at Mount Olive High School, had volunteered at Matheny for four years. He is now studying business at LaSalle University in Philadelphia.

From left, Arts Access dance facilitator and Innovations dance instructor Heather Johdos, holding one of Yasin’s paintings; Yasin Reddick; and Deb Starker, president of the Madison Arts and Cultural Alliance.

Matheny student Yasin Reddick received a Kids For Kids Fine Arts Scholarship from the Dance Innovations Performance Foundation. The scholarship is presented to individuals with special needs to help pursue their interest in the arts.

Yasin is active in Matheny’s Arts Access Program, which enables people with disabilities to create fine art, assisted by professional artist-facilitators. Dance Innovations, located in Chatham, NJ, is a studio for dance and the performing arts. Its dance students often perform at Matheny.

A recent donation to Matheny from The Friends of Matheny provided a brand new supply of augmentative communication switches, which are used by younger, non-verbal students such as six-year-old Jack Harter, shown here hitting a switch in response to a question from speech-language pathologist Christine Mayercik.

Matheny and The Friends of Matheny will be honored as two of 18 organizations receiving “Spirit of Somerset” Awards at a dinner and ceremony being held at the Grounds for Sculpture RATS Restaurant in Hamilton, NJ., tonight  [June 13].

The Rev. John Graf, co-chairman, in an interview in the Courier News, described the Spirit of Somerset Awards as “the perfect way for the Somerset County community to join together to celebrate the many accomplishments of these dedicated volunteers and business leaders.” Among the other honorees are Suplee, Clooney & Co., CPA, Westfield, NJ (business); Josh Pauls, member of the USA Paralympic sled ice hockey team (athletics/recreation); and Patricia Flannery, former mayor of Bridgewater, NJ (government).

Proceeds from the event will help support the Somerset Treatment Services’ Strengthening Families and Pathways to Parenting program for women and children. The event is held in partnership with the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Both Matheny and The Friends, our auxiliary group, are receiving awards for education.

Matheny student Natalie Tomastyk makes her way up the wall.

Rock climbing is fun and challenging, and it’s an activity that can help improve concentration and raise self-esteem for children with disabilities. Those are some of the reasons Matheny students look forward to their annual visit to the climbing wall at the Midland School in North Branch, NJ. It’s a perfect opportunity to improve physical and occupational therapy skills, while also having a great time.

Thanks, Midland School, for a great afternoon!

Phys ed teacher Jim Hintenach, left, and occupational therapist Wendell Lumapas give student Yasin Reddick some pointers before he tackles the wall.

Untitled, by Faith Stolz.

Twenty paintings by 15 different artists in Matheny’s Arts Access Program will be on display at the Bernardsville, NJ, Library from July 2-30. An opening reception will be held from 2-3 p.m. on Monday, July 9.

Arts Access enables people with disabilities to create fine art, assisted by professional artist-facilitators.  Paintings featured in the exhibition will be small and medium-sized abstract works on canvas. This display will provide Arts Access artists the opportunity to share their works with the Somerset Hills community. All proceeds from artwork sales are split 50/50, with half the funds going directly to the artist and the other half going to Matheny to cover the cost of art materials, stretching and framing of the work.

"The Ice C," by Ellen Kane.

Rasheedah Mahali uses her eyes to “catch” prospects for Dawg Pound merchandise.

Rasheedah Mahali believes she is a natural salesperson. And her belief has turned into reality, as she is currently the top seller among all Matheny patients and students who work in the Dawg Pound, the shop that offers items such as coffee mugs and water bottles for sale to Matheny employees.

“I use my eyes to catch them,” she says mischievously, talking about how she snags Matheny staff members as they walk through the rotunda on the way back and forth to the staff dining room.

Mahali is now looking forward to Family Day on June 24 when she will be able try out her selling skills on parents and siblings. And she is also preparing for Deals at Dust, a special promotion in the works for the 3-11 p.m. staff. While she is happy to sell anything the Dawg Pound has to offer, she says she’s had the most success with notebooks and pens.

The Dawg Pound was started in 2009 to hone practical work skills of Matheny patients and students. Startup funds were provided by The Friends of Matheny and Village Office Supply of Somerset, NJ.

After two years at the helm of The Friends of Matheny, our auxiliary group, June Cioppettini is passing the gavel to Liz Geraghty, whose daughter, Bozena, is a residential student at Matheny.

The transition in leadership and installation of officers for the 2012-13 season took place at The Friends’ annual luncheon held at the Roxiticus Golf Club in Mendham, NJ. Steve Proctor, Matheny president, thanked The Friends for their continuing support, pointing out some of the programs that couldn’t exist without their assistance. Geraghty expressed her admiration for The Friends’ legacy, which originated with a small group of women whose “time, effort and energy totally impressed me,” and said how grateful she was to be part of the Matheny family.

Since its inception in 1983, The Friends of Matheny has raised more than $3 million for the students and patients at Matheny.

Pictured are the new officers, from left: Jean Wadsworth, recording secretary; Andrea Szott, vice president, fundraising; Lisa Lee, vice president, fundraising; Geraghty; Dorothy Carter, vice president, membership; Lisa Novella, corresponding secretary; Nancy Hojnacki, vice president, membership; and Cioppettini.