Zone 16
No. 14 Vol. 16
New View Media Group • 1-800-691-7549
August 28, 2018
Local Quilter Named Citizen Of The Year By Lakeland Hills Family YMCA
A
By Dawn M. Chiossi lot of stitching, fabric, thread and time is being recognized for Rose Phalon of Pequannock Twp., who was named Pequannock Township’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA. Phalon was awarded at the group’s Annual Awards Dinner and Presentation held May 16 at the Mansion at Mountain Lakes. In January of 2017, Phalon took her passion and talent for quilting and transformed it into Pequannock Township’s wonderful Quilting for a Cause Volunteer Organization. Phalon, along with a gathering of other talented individuals create amazing homemade quilts for those who need them: the homeless, veterans, kids in the hospital, those suffering through natural disasters, and so many more. Stressing philanthropic points of view If you're thinking of selling your home...
GIVE OUR MOM A CALL! She'll go to bat for you and hit a Home Run! sell: 973-493-1477 office: 973-696-1111 ext 123
197 Berdan Ave. • Wayne, NJ 07470
TinaCaliRealtor.com
and actions, the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA since 1996 has been paying it forward by recognizing individuals, groups, and organizations for their deep commitment to giving back to others in their geographic areas. The awards are a way of spreading the positive energy and philanthropy of others. Communities awarded as well as individuals with the Outstanding Citizen of the Year Awards, in their own specific areas. Rosemary Linder-Day, Community Relations director, shares that to receive awards, nominees do not actually have to be members of the YMCA- they just have to give back to the community. In fact, “only 15 to 20 percent of our awardees are members,” she clarifies. Phalon is just one example. “I didn’t go looking for Rose Phalon, she found me,” Linder-Day says. She shares that she saw a newspaper story regarding Phalon’s Quilting for a Cause outlining Phalon’s altruism, her passion for quilting, and her deep desire to warm and comfort those who need it, making a difference, one quilt at a time. That’s when Linder-Day realized she discovered Pequannock’s Citizen of the Year. “In reading about Rose Phalon, it was amazing seeing what someone could do,” says Linder-Day. “It’s fantastic.” Recently Quilting for a Cause marched in the Memorial Day parade and distributed wonderful homemade red, white and blue quilts to veterans; they worked with project KIND to distribute quilts for the homeless, as well as other organizations, with 1,222 completed so far. This great volunteer organization held a thread and supply drives, and recently has been presented with a check from the Rotary Club to further their efforts! Phalon is honored to have been chosen. “I am flattered,” says Phalon, but adds that Quilting for a Cause is an organization
Rose Phalon
that all of the members and volunteers put their mark on, each making it special. “These people are wonderful; they are very generous in giving their time to do this. These are an amazing group of people that I didn’t even know before January.” Linder-Day explains, “It’s all about helping others and making a difference at the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA. The awards recognize those in communities that have done great things in any way, shape or form. Consequently at the ceremony, folks connect with more people carrying out amazing things. They are a pebble in a pond causing uplifting ripple effects. The question we ask everyday in the YMCA is ‘how can we help?’ and by asking it, people can do great things in the community.” For further information on Quilting for a Cause, or to see about volunteering, contact the Pequannock Township Parks and Recreation Department at 973-835-5700.