From the editor: Thanks for supporting the Needy Cases Fund

Joe Martino, MyCentralJersey.com
·4 min read
Joe Martino is editor of the Courier News, Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com. He can be reached at jmartino@gannettnj.com.

The response to our annual Needy Cases Fund has been heartwarming.

For decades, Central Jersey residents have rallied to support their neighbors in need through the annual fundraiser, and this year has been no different. In another extraordinary year, you have been inspired to show you genuinely care about your less fortunate neighbors.

The Needy Cases Fund is a Central Jersey holiday tradition, stretching back more than seven decades. The community service project has been sponsored by the Home News Tribune and its predecessor, the Daily Home News, working with the Lions Club of New Brunswick. In recent years, the Courier News has joined the Home News Tribune in sponsoring the charity.

From Nov. 28 to Dec. 5, the Home News Tribune, Courier News and MyCentralJersey.com detailed 11 organizations serving Central Jersey. This year’s agencies were Make-A-Wish New Jersey, Elijah's Promise, Franklin Food Bank, CASA of Middlesex County, Lions Club of New Brunswick, Martin Luther King Youth Center, Community Access Unlimited, Aldersgate Outreach Community Center, The Arc of Somerset County, Women Aware and Fish Inc. – Dunellen Area.

After reading the stories, community members generously sent checks and cash. The Needy Cases Fund is maintained in a separate account by the Lions Club of New Brunswick, and distribution of the funds is apportioned by representatives of MyCentralJersey.com and the club.

Thanks to your generosity, the Needy Cases Fund received more than $11,383 this year. In the last two decades, more than $541,607 has been raised.

We thank the following donors this year for showing once again that generosity is more powerful than adversity:

  • Gail Aiello of South River, In loving memory of Thomas V. Horvath

  • Laverne Bauer of Sayreville

  • Ronald E. Berger of Milltown

  • Diana Demaio Bloise of Somerville

  • Kathleen E. Chin of Neshanic

  • Judith Cohen of Somerset

  • Brian and Diane Davis of Milltown

  • Robert and Zusette Dato of South Amboy

  • Joyce R. De Prospo of East Brunswick

  • John and Mary Domino of Milton, Massachusetts, In honor of the families of John and Mary Domino and Adam and Mary Grosso

  • William and Anna Douglas Sr. of Monroe, In memory of Albert and Arlene Bateau

  • Edward Edwards and Paul Grzella of Bridgewater

  • Paul and Sandra Fisher of North Brunswick

  • Patricia Flannigan of East Brunswick

  • Robert and Janet Floersch of Avenel

  • Robert and Ruth Gatewood Sr. of Middlesex

  • Arthur and Karen Goldenberg of East Brunswick

  • Ronald and Elaine Grygo of East Brunswick, In memory of Chester and Helen Grygo

  • Judith Herdman of Flemington

  • Joseph and Claudia Homoki of Monroe

  • Patricia Juzwiak of Somerset

  • Ann Kiernan of New Brunswick

  • Matthew and Doris Kokoska of Spotswood

  • Melody Kokola of Metuchen

  • Barbara Kotter of East Brunswick, In memory of Theodore J. Kotter

  • Vincent and Doris Krobatsch of South River, In loving memory of our son, Rhett Krobatsch and our parents, Frederick and Marie Fischer and Vincent and Catherine Krobatsch and Lenny Krobatsch

  • Scott M. Kurtz of Somerset, In memory of Donald and Eleanor Kurtz

  • Michael and Eileen Laggart of Milltown, In memory of our niece, Nadine More

  • Stephen R. Lax of Middlesex

  • Charles and Christine Levitsky of Bridgewater

  • Mike and Marilyn Malinics of Parlin

  • Mary S. Marschall of Somerset

  • Cheryl Martino of Bridgewater, In memory of the Medick family

  • Mike and Nancy Sober McCarthy of Hillsborough

  • Stephen and Joanne McIntyre of Old Bridge

  • John Melnick of Spotswood

  • Margaret E. Milesnick of Califon

  • William and Carol Natarelli of Piscataway

  • Michael and Joyce Nussbaum of Edison

  • Norbert and Sylvia Psuty of East Brunswick

  • Kevin Rogers of Highland Park

  • Sylvia Rosenthal of Monroe

  • Michele A. Senko of South River

  • Margaret Shallcross of New Brunswick, In memory of Frank Mumber and Lawrence Shallcross

  • Arthur and Marianne Shandor of Hillsborough

  • Rozalyn Sherman of Somerset

  • Charles and Gladys Sicknick of South River

  • Jestina R. Simmons of Somerset, In memory of son Murray L. Simmons Jr.

  • Aldonna Skislak of East Brunswick

  • Donna Smith of Highland Park, In memory of Arthur and Eric Smith

  • Carl and Kathy Smith of Milltown, In memory of Arthur S. Gatarz

  • John and Carol Strick of Somerset

  • Irene Tanski Szakielo of Iselin

  • Jo Ann Telemdschinow of New Brunswick

  • Gail Thomas of Woodbridge

  • Dr. Ives and Amy Tucker of East Brunswick, From Nora, Hannah, Ezra and Julia

  • John and Constance Webster of Highland Park

  • John and Kathleen Wilcox of Milltown

  • Leonora Wind of East Brunswick

  • Joseph and Barbara Yannetta of Bound Brook

  • Paul E. Zygler of Fords

There were 30 anonymous donations, including one in memory of Anthony and Marie Delmastro and Frank and Marilyn Baglione.

We cannot thank you enough for your profound acts of kindness. Have a happy and healthy 2022!

Joe Martino is news director of the Courier News, Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com. He can be reached at 908-243-6608 or jmartino@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: From the editor: Thanks for supporting the Needy Cases Fund