Legal Help Available at Project Self-Sufficiency

Area residents are invited to privately discuss issues related to divorce, bankruptcy or other topics with an attorney on Thursdays, May 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd and 30th, at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Individual consultations will be offered at 45-minute intervals between the hours of 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  The sessions are free and open to Sussex County residents who meet income eligibility requirements; consultations are by appointment only.  To make an appointment, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

Orders Being Taken Now for Food Assistance Program

Fresh, refrigerated and frozen foods are available to northwestern New Jersey residents at sharply reduced prices through the Jolin Food Box program.  The food assistance program offers a variety of ordering options, from breakfast-lunch-dinner combination packs to boxes of dinner entrees to special packages just for children.  The price of a single box ranges from $22 - $40.  There is no limit to the number of boxes an individual or family can purchase, and the menu changes each month.  The program even takes food stamps.  Interested residents can order online with a credit card at www.jolinfoodbox.comor by calling Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.  Payment is made when the order is placed.  The next deadline for placing an order is Monday, May 20^th; delivery will be made to Project Self-Sufficiency on Saturday, June 1st.

The quality of the food products set the Jolin Food Box Program apart from other food assistance programs.  Each month features a variety of menu items from seafood and poultry to baked goods and prepared meals.  In one year, the  Jolin Food Box Program has established 18 locations in New Jersey for distributing high quality food to residents in need.  Project Self-Sufficiency is the first distribution site in northwestern New Jersey.  To find out more about the monthly food deliveries by the Jolin Food Box Program at Project Self-Sufficiency, or any of the other programs and services available at the agency, call 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Community Supports Project Self-Sufficiency at A Taste of Talent

Hundreds of patrons poured through the doors of Perona Farms on Monday night to help support Project Self-Sufficiency at the 17^th annual A Taste of Talent, a fundraising event which offered guests the opportunity to sample hors d’oeuvres, entrees and desserts from area restaurants while mingling with the chefs.  Patrons were also invited to bid on the tabletop creations of several local designers.  More than twenty-five restaurants participated in the event, along with representatives from six design firms.  Proceeds from the event benefited Project Self-Sufficiency’s programs for low-income families in Sussex, Morris, Warren, and Hunterdon counties. 

Hopatcong Mayor Sylvia Petillo and her husband Ron served as honorary co-chairpersons of this year’s A Taste of Talent.  “A Taste of Talent 2013 is an extraordinary event where you can gather with friends to enjoy the culinary talents of more than 25 well-known chefs from across the tri-state area,” noted Sylvia.    “This annual fundraiser benefits Project Self-Sufficiency and enables them to continue to reach out to families in need.  Over the years, Project Self-Sufficiency has been an oasis of hope throughout Sussex County giving families the strategies and confidence they need to rebuild, to strengthen and to change their lives forever.”

Participating restaurants included Perona Farms, A Chocolate Lab, Andre’s Restaurant & Wine Boutique, Café Pierrot, The Chatterbox, The Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe, Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream, De Beragga & Spitler, Forno Italiano, Fossil Farms, George’s Wine & Gourmet Gallery, Homestead Rest, Innova Cuisine, Krave Café & Caterers, Main Street Grille, Mosefund Farm, Park West Tavern, Pig & Prince, Pizza Bistro, Ristorante Il Porto, Riviera Maya, Salt Gastro Pub, Salt Studio, Springhouse Dairy, Tanti Baci Caffe,  and Transatlantic Foods.  Guests were also invited to stroll through the cavernous kitchen at Perona Farms and witness a cooking demonstration by Perona Farms Executive Chef Kirk Avondoglio.

Beverly Gordon, President of Project Self-Sufficiency’s Board of Directors, commented, “An event of this magnitude would not be possible without the dedication of the restaurateurs and chefs in our community.  We are indebted to them for their enthusiastic participation and for their creativity.”

The entryway at Perona Farms was transformed into a showcase featuring the wares of local designers, including Patricia Bruterri, Sweet P.E.A.’s; Holly George, Holly George Interior Design; Melissa Mauro-Duffy, Fine Design; Jacky Murphy, Victory Frame Shop; Ellyn Norwillo, AMA Designs; and Alicia Shearer, Alicia Shearer Interior Design.   Patrons bid on table designs which featured place settings for eight, art objects, and decorative items associated with the movies Alice in Wonderland, Casablanca, Lincoln, The Artist, and Moonstruck. 

“A Taste of Talent directly benefits our Sussex County neighbors in need, and is the cornerstone to our annual campaign,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We are exceptionally grateful for the time, talent and resources provided by the chefs and the designers who have contributed to this event, and to the entire community for their support of our programs for low-income families.”

Supporters of the event donated funds at several levels, ranging from individual tickets priced at $200 to contributions of $25,000 or more.  Silver Circle Members included Beverly and Bruce Gordon; Intercar Mercedes Benz; Susan and Gregory Murphy; Selective Insurance Company of America; and Sussex Honda.

Supporters at the Chairman’s Table level included Francesca Fazzolari, James Alexander Corporation; and Rhoda and Norman Seider.

The President’s Club was comprised of Kathy and Lou Esposito, as well as A Friend of Project Self-Sufficiency.

Partners included Jay and Judy Dunn; George’s Salvage Company; The McNamara Family, Safety Scaffolds; The Printing Center; RoNetco Supermarkets, Inc.; Dr. Salvatore Sciascia; and Don Williams.

Anniversary Celebrants included Ellen and Arnold Lieber; Sylvia and Ronald Petillo, Petillo Enterprises; and Louis J. Weber and Associates, Inc.

Supporters at the Patron level included Carol Campbell and Dale Thatcher; Current Adventure; Barry Douglas, Mountain Spring Irrigation; Virginia and Paris Eliades; Joanne Friedman, Gallant Hope Farm; Frances Gould Naftal and Marvin Naftal, Flatbrook Farm; Margery and David Inkeles, M.D.; James Moore Construction; Keystone Plastics; Patricia and John Kennedy; Susan and Roy Knutsen; Lakeland Bank; Barbara and Stephen Limauro; Dr. Gerald and Mrs. Suzanne Mirkov; Lora and Charles Musilli; Net Access Corporation; Anonymous; Nisivoccia, LLP – Certified Public Accountants and Advisors; Lois and Harold Pellow; Leslie and Greg Plifka; Smith-McCracken and Wood Funeral Homes; Friends of Project Self-Sufficiency; Stephen Westcott, Sterling Financial Group; Dr. Richard Vaz; Whispering Pines Enterprises.

Sponsors included Dr. Pamela Alberto and Greg Wroclawski; The Anthony Group; Jeanne Apryasz; Lana and Jim Ayers; Dolores Blackburn and Kenneth Roberts; Marjorie Bresler; Caristia Kulsar & Wade, LLC; Joseph Celentano; Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream; Mary Anne and Larry Condit; Deacon Homes, Inc.; Delade Brothers Electric, Inc.; Wayne Dietz; D&H Alternative Risk Solutions; Eastern Propane and the Nicholson Family; Jonathan Eigner, Northern Rain Irrigation; Franklin Mutual Insurance Company; Anonymous; Hautau & Sons, LLC; Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Huber; Linda and Bruce Jorritsma; Hilary A. Kruce and Vincent Signorile; Dr. Jeffrey Liegner and Jana Norquest, Eye Care Northwest; Robert Levy; RonDee and Brian Lockwood; Elsie Lorber; Linda and George Miller; Gail and Richard Miner; The Morville Agency; A Division of Bollinger Insurance; Barbara O’Neill and Gene Bronson; Denise and Jeffrey Panicucci; Gail and Robert Phoebus, Farmstead Golf & Country Club; Susan and Sovann Stark; Sparta Hardware Store; St. Clare’s Health System; Cheryl and Kenneth Syberg; In Memory of Harry Tarzian; John and Jody Ursin; Sheila and Peter Ventricelli; William Cowan, Willco.

Music was provided by a variety of individuals and groups, including the Meant to be Jazz Ensemble, Glenn Merritt, Joe Guerra, Alan Hayes and Pete Omelio; Carol and Gary Kraemer; and students Katie and Andrew Van Varick.

Project Self-Sufficiency is a private non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey.  The agency’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of holistic, respectful, and comprehensive services enabling low-income single parents, teen parents, two-parent families, and displaced homemakers to improve their lives and the lives of their children while achieving personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability.  Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 19,500 families, including over 30,000 children.  To find out how to make a contribution to Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.

Chefs and Designers Join Forces at A Taste of Talent

“A Taste of Talent” will be held at Perona Farms on behalf of Project Self-Sufficiency on Monday, April 22nd, beginning at 6:00 p.m.  In addition to sampling hors d’oeuvres, entrees and desserts from more than 25 area restaurants, patrons will be invited to bid on table arrangements created by several local designers.  Each table may contain place settings for eight, art objects, and decorative items centered on the theme of “Dinner and Movie.”  The highest bidder will take home the contents of the entire table.  Now in its 17^th year, “A Taste of Talent”, will benefit Project Self-Sufficiency, a local non-profit agency specializing in services for low-income families in Sussex, Morris, Warren and Hunterdon counties.  Sponsorships for the event range from $500 - $25,000, and a limited number of individual tickets are available at a cost of $200. 

Stations from more than 25 of the area’s finest restaurants will be placed throughout Perona Farms, allowing patrons to meet and mingle with the chefs while sampling some of their most renowned dishes.  Guests will be invited to stroll through the cavernous kitchen at Perona Farms and witness a cooking demonstration by Executive Chef Kirk Avondoglio.  

Hopatcong Mayor Sylvia Petillo and her husband Ron will be serving as Honorary Chairpersons of the 2013 A Taste of Talent.  “A Taste of Talent 2013 is an extraordinary event where you can gather with friends to enjoy the culinary talents of more than 25 well-known chefs from across the tri-state area,” noted Sylvia.    “This annual fundraiser benefits Project Self-Sufficiency and enables them to continue to reach out to families in need.  Over the years, Project Self-Sufficiency has been an oasis of hope throughout Sussex County giving families the strategies and confidence they need to rebuild, to strengthen and to change their lives forever.”

Frances and George Delgado, owners of George’s Wine & Gourmet Gallery in Branchville, will be serving as Culinary Chairpersons for this year’s event.   “There is a need in this community for the kind of social services provided by Project Self-Sufficiency,” commented Frances.  “I firmly believe in education and I am a big supporter of the kind of services which help children to have a better life.  My husband, George, and I are proud to serve as Culinary Chairpersons of this year’s ‘A Taste of Talent.’”

Participating restaurants will include Perona Farms, A Chocolate Lab, Andre’s Restaurant & Wine Boutique, Café Pierrot, The Chatterbox, The Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe, Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream, De Beragga & Spitler, Forno Italiano, Fossil Farms, George’s Wine & Gourmet Gallery, Homestead Rest, Innova Cuisine, Krave Café & Caterers, Main Street Grille, Mosefund Farm, Park West Tavern, Pig & Prince, Pizza Bistro, Ristorante Il Porto, Riviera Maya, Salt Gastro Pub, Salt Studio, Springhouse Dairy, Tanti Baci Caffe,  and Transatlantic Foods.

“A Taste of Talent is our signature fundraising event and the cornerstone of our annual campaign,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We are delighted by the support we continue to receive from the restaurateurs and designers in our area.   Project Self-Sufficiency is in need of the community’s support now more than ever.  Due to the current economic situation, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of low-income families requesting assistance.  ‘A Taste of Talent’ provides a wonderful opportunity for people to reach out and help their neighbors at this difficult time.”

Esteemed local designers who will be participating in “A Taste of Talent” include Patricia Bruterri, Sweet P.E.A.’s; Holly George, Holly George Interior Design; Melissa Mauro-Duffy, Fine Design; Jacky Murphy, Victory Frame Shop; Ellyn Norwillo, AMA Designs; and Alicia Shearer, Alicia Shearer Interior Design.  Table designs will feature items associated with the movies Alice in Wonderland, Casablanca, Lincoln, The Artist, and Moonstruck.  The contents of each table will be available to patrons during a Silent Auction. 

As usual, music will be an integral part of A Taste of Talent, with ensembles and soloists set up in just about every room at Perona Farms.  The “Meant to be Jazz” trio will perform throughout the evening, along with musical siblings Katie and Andrew Van Varick, and musical artists Carol and Gary Kraemer.

Project Self-Sufficiency is a private non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey.  The agency’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of holistic, respectful, and comprehensive services enabling low-income single parents, teen parents, two-parent families, and displaced homemakers to improve their lives and the lives of their children while achieving personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability.  Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 19,500 families, including over 30,000 children.

Select donation categories are available for “A Taste of Talent,” ranging from $500 - $25,000.  A limited number of tickets for individual donations are available at a cost of $200.  Perona Farms is located at 350 Andover-Sparta Road in Andover.  To make a contribution to Project Self-Sufficiency, to obtain tickets to “A Taste of Talent,” or to find out more information about the programs and services available at the agency, call 973-940-3500.

Participants Needed to Race for the Cure

Project Self-Sufficiency invites area residents to join Team Project Self-Sufficiency in the sixth annual Susan G. Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure®, a 5K Race/Walk at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange on Sunday, May 5^th.  Interested participants are encouraged to register online at www.komennorthjersey.org/raceand click on Team Project Self-Sufficiency.  For those in need of transportation, a bus will leave the Newton campus promptly at 7:15 a.m.  The bus ride is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Thousands of participants are expected to come together to help raise funds for breast cancer research at the 5K Race/Walk.  A 1.5 mile Walk is also available for those who find the 5K Race/Walk too challenging.  For the youngsters, the event will feature a special “Kids for the Cure” 50-yard dash, along with musical entertainment, clowns, sports, and arts and crafts.  Teens are encouraged to check out the special “Teens for the Cure” program which supports the formation of teams by area high schools. 

“Project Self-Sufficiency has been proud to be the recipient of funding from Susan G. Komen for the Cure® North Jersey for our Breast Health Campaign for many years,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “As a result of this funding, more than 60,000 women and girls have received breast health education, and the mobile mammography van funded by the foundation has allowed more than 1,000 women to be screened for breast cancer.  Sussex County has a higher incidence of this type of cancer than the state average, and we are determined to continue our efforts to raise awareness of the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer.  Participating in Team Project Self-Sufficiency during the Komen Race for the Cure® on May 5^thgives our community an opportunity to thank the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® North Jersey for the early detection programs they have made available.  It’s also a fun way to help those who have been afflicted by breast cancer, and a great way to support the many women who have survived as a direct result of the efforts by the Komen North Jersey Affiliate.”

Seventy-five percent of net funds raised by the Race will be allocated to the Affiliate’s nine-county northern New Jersey service area to support life-saving programs for uninsured and underinsured women.  The remaining twenty-five percent of net proceeds will be directed to research through the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Grants Program. 

The multi-faceted Breast Health Awareness campaign at Project Self-Sufficiency is a recipient of grant money from Susan G. Komen for the Cure® North Jersey.  Funds are used to promote early detection and prevention in the community, by combining in-school visits and multi-media efforts at middle schools, high schools and area colleges.  The agency also uses the funds to staff a mobile mammography unit and offer free breast exams six times a year to eligible women.  Project Self-Sufficiency has been joined by the New Jersey Herald, Sussex Honda and Intercar Mercedes Benz in the “Mammograms Save Lives” campaign which features news articles, flyers, print advertisements and billboards.

To join Team Project Self-Sufficiency at the May 5^th Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure® at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex, log onto www.komennorthjersey.org/raceand select Team Project Self-Sufficiency.  A free bus will take members of Team Project Self-Sufficiency to the race site, leaving the Project Self-Sufficiency campus promptly at 7:15 a.m. and departing from the area by noon.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  Advance registration for the bus is required.  To register for the free bus ride to the South Mountain Recreation Complex on May 5^th, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.