Paving the Way

What started out as a routine volunteer activity by some employees from Home Depot stores in Bridgewater, NJ, has developed into a solid, long-term partnership between the home improvement chain and  Matheny.

Home Depot employees have built planters for The Matheny School science class . . . Raked and cleaned Matheny’s nature trail and ball field . . . Laid pavers in front of Matheny’s main entrance to create a visiting spot for parents and friends . . . Donated needed materials for other projects.

The relationship rose to a new level when Rich Aaron, an employee in one of the Bridgewater stores, approached his mother, Chris Aaron, who handles commercial materials dispatch and orders for Parsippany, NJ-based Tilcon New Jersey, a company that specializes in asphalt paving. Rich wanted to know if Tilcon would consider paving the 1,100-foot nature trail at Matheny.  The trail has existed for years, but it had deteriorated, and the rough terrain made it inaccessible for Matheny’s students and patients, most of whom are in wheelchairs.  The answer from Tilcon was, “yes”, and on Friday, June 24, a large crew of workers from Tilcon and Home Depot arrived early in the morning to complete the task.

Tilcon, said Joshua S. Benson, the company’s general manager, public relations/government affairs, “is proud to have been a part of this project, working closely with the Matheny School and The Home Depot. Repairing and improving the damage to the nature trail highlights Tilcon’s commitment to our community and its safe environment. We are pleased that the students will again be able to enjoy the nature trail for years to come.”

Larry Thornton, a resident of Pottersville, NJ, a member of Matheny’s Board of Trustees, and a regular volunteer at Matheny, first reached out to Bridgewater store managers John M. Pingitore and Jeff Pemberton a couple of years ago. “Words cannot express,” he said, “how all of us feel about the great works done by these two wonderful companies.”

Matheny student Jacob Rolaf, assisted by personal care assistant Joan Marshall, left, and Tilcon’s Chris Aaron, right, cut the ribbon celebrating completion of the newly paved nature trail.

From left, Joshua Benson; Kendell R. Sprott, MD, JD, Matheny president and CEO; and Larry Thornton.

Shane Szott and his family at graduation. Dave and Andrea Szott are in the center of the back row; Shane’s brother, Josh, is seated on the left.

Savannah at graduation with, from left: her stepfather, David Levine; father, Kurtis Conrad; mother, Sarah Levine; brother, Jack Conrad; sister, Avery Conrad; and aunt, Amy Giddon.

Matheny, said Dave Szott, is “a special place, a place of incredible passion and vision.” Szott, a former professional football player, is director of player development for the New York Jets, but he is also the father of Shane Szott, one of two graduates this year from The Matheny School. And, he was the keynote speaker at the commencement ceremony, held June 21.

The two graduates were Shane, son of Dave and his wife, Andrea Szott, of Morristown, NJ, and Savannah Conrad, daughter of Sarah Conrad of Westfield, NJ, and Kurtis Conrad of North Plainfield, NJ. William Muller, mayor of Peapack-Gladstone, expressed special appreciation for the Matheny staff and congratulated the graduates “on behalf of the borough of Peapack-Gladstone. We wish you continued success.” Kendell R. Sprott, MD, JD, president and CEO of Matheny thanked the teachers, therapists, and personal care assistants and pointed out that, “the education process will not stop,” as the students transition into Matheny’s adult services program.

On Tuesday, September 27, The Matheny School will hold a golf tournament to fund communication through technology for its students – children with multiple disabilities. The tournament will be held at the Oak Hill Golf Club in Milford, NJ, beginning at 11 a.m. with registration and a shot gun start.

Former football players from the NFL Alumni group will be golfing and socializing with participants at lunch and dinner. Cost is $175 per person or $650 for a foursome.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information or to register, call 908 234-0011, ext. 239, or email mathenyschool@matheny.org. The Oak Hill Golf Club is located at 15 Fernwood Road in Milford.

Joseph Larena, RN, with preschool student Joshua Rincon

The Matheny School was one of 10 schools in the state of New Jersey to receive an Innovations in Special Education award from the New Jersey School Boards Association. The award was for Matheny’s ‘Peace of Mind’ preschool program, which embeds a registered nurse into the classroom at all times.” The goal, says Sean Murphy, principal and director of The Matheny School, is, “to provide the safest possible environment so that the children can achieve their maximum potential. We decided that parents and families need that extra peace of mind when sending their preschooler into school. This is often the parents’ first time away from their children.”

The preschool registered nurse, Joseph Larena, is focused on the educational as well as the medical needs of the children. Being an in-class nurse, he says, “provides me with the unique opportunity to truly know each child. This allows me to instantly identify and respond to issues that may arise and prevent certain complications from occurring.”

Since 2002, the NJSBA and ASAH, the association serving the private special education community, have sponsored the Innovations in Special Education program to recognize best practices in public school districts and private special education schools. For more information on Matheny’s Peace of Mind preschool program, email mathenyschool@matheny.org or call 908 234-0011, ext. 721.

Arts Access artist Michael Martin was awarded a 2016 Kids for Kids Fine Arts Scholarship by Chatham, NJ-based Dance Innovations. The scholarship, presented on May 25, is given to individuals with special needs to help them pursue their interest in the arts.

Michael is one of the most prolific visual artists in the Arts Access Program, a unique fine arts program that enables individuals with disabilities to fully express themselves in the creative arts. Dance Innovations is a studio for dance and the performing arts. Its dance students often perform for the students and patients at Matheny.

Michael Martin and Arts Access dance facilitator Heather Williams at the awards ceremony.

Michael Martin with his parents, Alan and Linda Martin.

“I can’t thank The Friends enough for their generosity and hard work.” Those were the words of Matheny president and CEO, Kendell R. Sprott, MD, JD, after Linda Horton, manager of The Friends of Matheny’s Second Chance thrift shop, and Liz Geraghty, president of The Friends, presented him with a symbolic $150,000 check, representing funds donated this year by The Friends to support programs and services that benefit the students and patients at Matheny.

From left, Linda Horton, Liz Geraghty, Kendell R. Sprott, MD, JD

The Friends of Matheny officers and board members for 2016-17. From left: Andrea Szott, Dorothy Carter, Nancy Hojnacki, Kathy Sisto (incoming president), Linda Horton, Liz Geraghty, Doris Burman, Edana Desatnick, Kim Caniano, and Jean Wadsworth.

As Horton explained, “The staff members at Matheny produce a wish list of things not covered by Medicaid or insurance. We look at the wish list and decide. We choose how the money is used.” One way the money from last year will be used is to fund a trip to Disney World for four Matheny residents. Sean Bielefeldt, director of recreation therapy, thanked The Friends, “for making this happen. We’re taking four patients to the happiest place on earth for six days and five nights. It wouldn’t be possible without your support.”

After serving as Friends president for four years, Geraghty will be succeeded by Kathy Sisto. Dr. Sprott thanked Geraghty for her leadership. “She has been a very important, steady leader,” he said. He also thanked Horton for continuing to be “the CEO of the thrift shop.” Since their beginnings in 1983, The Friends have raised more than $3 million.

With the help of volunteers from the Home Depot stores in Bridgewater, NJ, Girl Scouts from Troop 60077 in Bedminster, NJ, helped beautify the memorial garden dedicated to Walter and Marguerite Matheny, founders of The Matheny School. The Mathenys created the school in 1946 to educate and care for children, such as their son, Chuck, who has cerebral palsy.

Clockwise, from left: Girl Scouts Emily Caspersen, Mira Patla, Sheila DeLorean, and Katherine Gaudio (also a Matheny resident); and Chuck Matheny.

The dedication ceremony, held on May 24, began with recitations of the Girl Scout Promise and Girl Scout Law by members of Troop 60077. Dr. Norma Fair-Brown, Matheny chaplain, blessed the garden, and Chuck Matheny thanked everyone for “a beautiful job.” The festivities concluded with the singing of the Matheny alma mater, led by members of the music therapy department.

WCBS Newsradio 880 anchor Wayne Cabot interviews Matheny volunteer Erica Reiss.