A local organization that is dedicated to assisting veterans has received a $1,000 donation from the FirstEnergy Foundation.
Freehold Chapter 74 of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) was presented with the $1,000 donation on Dec. 12 as part of the foundation’s Gifts of the Season campaign. The DAV was one of 132 nonprofit organizations in the six states that are served by the FirstEnergy Corporation to receive a donation.
The FirstEnergy Foundation is funded by the FirstEnergy Corporation and is responsible for supporting organizations in states served by FirstEnergy — New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and West Virginia.
Freehold Borough is serviced by a FirstEnergy subsidiary, Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L). According to FirstEnergy, 12 nonprofit agencies in areas serviced by JCP&L each received a $1,000 donation.
The DAV was created in 1920 following World War I as veterans organizations came together to help veterans file claims and obtain medical assistance, and to provide outreach to the public about veterans’ issues.
The Freehold chapter focuses on providing assistance to veterans who are filing claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, among other services it offers to veterans.
George Karatzia of Marlboro, who is a Vietnam War veteran, serves as the senior vice commander of the DAV and said, “The organization is doing God’s work. We in the DAV are the lucky ones to come back. It falls on us to help veterans and to educate the public. The members of the DAV are great guys with big hearts.”
Freehold Chapter 74 was one of three DAV chapters in New Jersey to receive a donation from FirstEnergy. DAV Fort Monmouth Memorial Chapter 29, Tinton Falls, and DAV Emile Post Chapter 78, Netcong, were the others.
Other nonprofit organizations that received a $1,000 donation in New Jersey, according to FirstEnergy, were:
- Holiday Express, Tinton Falls, which provides support to those in need during the holidays;
- Reach Educational Services, Flemington, which supports children with neurological and physical disabilities;
- The Family Guidance Center, which assists those struggling with mental, substance, family and/or emotional issues;
- El Primer Paso, Dover, which provides early childhood learning programs with a focus on dual language learners;
- Camp Nejeda Foundation, Newton, which offers summer camping and other programs to children with Type 1 diabetes;
- Michael Gerard Puharic Memorial Fund, Matawan, which supports families with ill newborns;
- CASA of Ocean County, Toms River, which offers court appointed advocates for children in abuse and neglect cases;
- Our Youth Their Future, Morristown, which provides educational and guidance support to children;
- NJ Sharing Network, Providence, which provides individuals who need life-saving transplants with donated tissues and organs.
“We are pleased to provide this surprise support to so many agencies throughout New Jersey, particularly during the holidays when the services they provide to the least fortunate are often most vital,” FirstEnergy Foundation President Dee Lowery said.
“The winners were chosen secretly by FirstEnergy employees who identified organizations in their areas that do extraordinary work to make our communities better. Our goal was to focus on programs that enhance children’s services or provide additional support for organizations facing a critical need during the holiday season,” Lowery said.