Singing the hits

The Matheny choirs in performance.

Medleys of songs from Lady Gaga and Adele, along with Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” were among the selections performed by the Matheny choirs at their spring concerts held May 9 and 10 in the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center. In addition, the audience was treated to a performance of the David Guetta/Usher hit, “Without You,” by the music therapy staff.

The music therapy program at Matheny provides musical experiences designed to promote participants’ growth in cognitive, behavioral, physical, emotional, creative, social and leisure skills.

Liz Geraghty and Bo.

Accepting the presidency of The Friends of Matheny is, to Liz Geraghty, a way of giving back to an organization that has provided her and her family security and peace of mind. Geraghty’s daughter Bozena was born with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS), a genetic disorder that causes a range of physical, cognitive and medical challenges. Bo has been a residential student at Matheny since June 2009, and she has flourished.

When Bo was first admitted to Matheny, the Geraghtys weren’t sure how she would adapt. “We decided we would just follow her lead,” Geraghty recalls. “She was laughing, crying, being stubborn, giggling – all of her normal emotions. That, to us, meant she was relaxed. My biggest surprise,” she continues, “is how much the recreation therapy department looked at my daughter as a teenager, who just happened to have this syndrome. They said, ‘We want to take her camping – three days, two nights.’ I said, ‘You’re kidding!’”

After joining the board of The Friends, Matheny’s auxiliary group, Geraghty became familiar with its origins. “I learned that the group was started by a small group of women who had no family connection to Matheny. The time, effort and energy they spent totally impressed me.” As she prepares to take office, Geraghty is looking forward to recruiting new members to The Friends as well as working more closely with Matheny’s development department and its Board of Trustees.

She can do all of this because she no longer worries about her daughter. “My youngest child,” she says, “has left home, and her future is secure.”

From left, Kathleen Felezzola, UCVTS allied health sciences instructor; Linda Frankshun; Dr. Thomas J. Bistocchi, UCVTS superintendent.

Linda Frankshun, Matheny director of therapies, was named “Advisor of the Year” by the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools in Scotch Plains, NJ.

UCVTS students regularly rotate through Matheny to participate in a hands-on learning experience. The students learn the day-to-day responsibilities of nurses, therapists, pharmacists and other various allied health professionals. At the end of the visits, they have a greater understanding of the nursing and allied health professions.

Verve owner Rick St. Pierre, right, at the Mardi Gras celebration, with David Christiansen and Nancy Allegar of Stockton, NJ.

Matheny received $2,000 from the Mardi Gras celebration and mask silent auction held in February by the Verve Bistro Bar Lounge in Somerville, NJ.

On Fat Tuesday, February 21, 10% of all proceeds at Verve were donated to Matheny. In addition, Matheny received a portion of the money collected from a silent auction of Mardi Gras masks, many of which were created and donated by Matheny staff members.

In presenting the donation, Rick St. Pierre, Verve owner, said: “It was a pleasure working with the Matheny family to ensure a wonderful Mardi Gras event. I look forward to continuing our efforts with you for next year.”

State Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman purchased one of the Mardi Gras masks created and donated by Matheny staff members.

Sandra Van Nest at her display table.

Matheny employees wore blue on April 25 to support National Autism Awareness Month and to learn more about the autism spectrum. Sandra Van Nest, LCSW, field supervisor in Matheny’s Community Services program, presented autism intervention materials and handouts and answered any questions staff members had about autism. As a developmental interventionist in New Jersey’s Early Intervention system, Van Nest often interacts with autistic children and their families in their homes.

The role of a developmental interventionist, Van Nest says, is, “to look at the overall development of a child with an eye for the cognitive development and social and emotional development. Children with autism,” she continues, “aren’t necessarily going to catch up by preschool or kindergarten, so we’re looking at long-term therapy for these kids.”

The autism awarness day at Matheny was coordinated by Joan Ray, RN, MA, COHN-S, Matheny employee health coordinator.

Irene Ellis, also of Gladstone, shows off her purchases as she gets set to celebrate her 87th birthday.

Every year, to thank all of the volunteers who have worked in The Friends of Matheny’s Second Chance Shop, manager Linda Horton has a party to celebrate their accomplishments. The only requirement for those attending is that they wear or show something they actually bought at the shop. This year’s event was held May 3 in the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center at Matheny, and no one was disappointed.

Some of the volunteers sported complete outfits, others just an accessory such as a hat, scarf or tie. And some confessed that they don’t buy clothes but, instead, toys for their grandchildren or household items such as dishes or vases. In the grandchildren category, the big buyer was Janet Allocca of Chester, NJ, who revealed that she has 19!

Irene Wiehle of Gladstone, NJ, in her very eclectic outfit.

At the time of the get-together, the Second Chance Shop had already surpassed $100,000 in sales with almost a month to go in the season, so there will probably be another party to celebrate a new record. Steve Proctor, Matheny president, thanked the volunteers for all their hard work and read off a list of items for the patients and students made possible by the money from their sales.

Sara Naylor and Jordan Perry-Fair with adult patient Luis Rodriguez.

Eighth-graders from the Madison Junior School in Madison, NJ, made their second trip to Matheny this school year to visit with  students and patients and to help out with a spring planting project.

Volunteers are always welcome at Matheny, as part of an organized group or as individuals, especially during weeknights or on weekends.

For information, call (908) 234-0011, ext. 282, or email volunteers@matheny.org.

Desta Johnson with adult patient Rasheedah Mahali.

From left, Taty Manousakis, recreation therapist Amy Beatty, Jason Weiner and rec therapist Meghan Walsh.

Matheny adult patients Taty Manousakis and Jason Weiner brought home a bronze medal from the Special Olympics New Jersey 2012 Central Bocce Sectional Competition held April 28 in Lawrenceville, NJ. They competed in the 22 and older mixed division.

Next up for Taty and Jason: the Special Olympics Bocce Summer Games in June.

Good luck!

Jason concentrates on his next roll.

Sylvia Bre, left, receives her $25 gift certificate from Linda Horton, center, Second Chance manager, and Benita Kiell.

When The Friends of Matheny, Matheny’s auxiliary group, moved its Second Chance Thrift Shop from the basement of the United Methodist Church in Gladstone, NJ, to the adjacent Wesley Hall, which is much larger, the expectation was that business would increase. But no one expected it to be this much.

For the 2010-2011 season, the Second Chance Shop raised $85,000 to benefit Matheny. On April 24 of this year, the shop passed the $100,000 mark for the 2011-2012 season, and the season doesn’t end until after Memorial Day.

Sylvia Bre of Swiftwater, PA, bought a pair of shoes for $2, which put the shop over the $100,000 mark. She received a $25 gift certificate, and the two volunteer salespeople on duty – Benita Kiell of Far Hills and Betty Martin of Basking Ridge – were rewarded with $5 gift certificates.

The Harter family, from left: Meghan, Doug, Jack, Katie and Caroline.

Jack’s Team, formed by the family of six-year-old Matheny day student Jack Harter, appears to be the top fundraiser for Miles for Matheny, with funds raised at the end of last week totaling $6,448.

When the Harters created a fundraising team last year, Jack’s father Doug said, “We are blessed with family and friends who want to do what they can to support Jack and us.”
Other top fundraisers, to date, are:

• Andy “Flash” Lash, family of adult patient Andy Lash, $4,253
• That’s How Scott Rolls, family of student Scott Gordon, $3,663
• Team Desatnick, family of student Bryan Desatnick, $3,481
• Team Porzio, law firm Porzio Bromberg & Newman, which also sponsored the kids fun run, $3,473
• TEAM Kids, members of the Ridge High School girls track team, $3,245
• Team Patrick, parents of student Patrick Conmy $2,770
• Cory Mazen, Bedwell School teacher, $1,855
• PAY IT FORWARD, team formed by Melanie Glick-Santiago, friend of Matheny parent Lisa Conturso, $1,625
• Christine Caratello of Roseland, NJ, $1,610.

All funds raised at Miles for Matheny help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to Matheny inpatients and to people with disabilities in the community.

Johnny Depp.

Assembling puzzles can be intimidating and exasperating for most people, but not for Matheny adult patient Michael Arin.

He has completed more than 50 puzzles since his first, a farm scene, when he was 10 years old.

Lately, Michael has discovered how to make his hobby profitable. He raffles off completed puzzles and also offers them for sale. Some of his best customers are Matheny employees.

Cats!

Chris Johnson, center, and Seena Frankel, right, wait on customer Linda Cowperthwaite of Long Valley, NJ, who says, “I like shopping here because the staff is so helpful.”

People shop at The Friends of Matheny’s Second Chance Shop in Gladstone, NJ, mainly because of the bargains. But it also helps to have friendly, knowledgeable salespeople, all of whom are volunteers. Two of the veteran volunteers, Chris Johnson of Bedminster, NJ, and Seena Frankel of Bernardsville, NJ, had the “shift of the week” in late March. On a Thursday morning, they sold $518.75 worth of merchandise, including a big set of dishes, two bookcases and a painted saw.

When Frankel moved to Bernardsville from Brooklyn 10 years ago, she began volunteering at the shop. She loves that “the customers are all different, plus I love organizing things.” Johnson met Frankel at an art class at the Center for Contemporary Art in Pluckemin, NJ. “Seena introduced me to Matheny,” she recalls. They also discovered that they both had gone to Chatham High School.

The Second Chance Shop, which earned $88,000 last year, seems to be on a record pace this year after moving to a larger location in the Gladstone United Methodist Church. As of March 31, its total sales for the year were more than $90,000, about $23,000 ahead of the previous year. The Friends of Matheny, Matheny’s auxiliary group, has raised more than $3 million since its inception in 1983.