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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Ellen Felicetta – Director of Development
Tel (201) 876-5432 x 113
Fax (201) 876-5431
CHILD DONATES BIRTHDAY GIFTS TO
ST. JOSEPH’S SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
Jersey City, NJ – When North Brunswick, NJ parents Chinna and Nachu Chinnakaruppan set out to teach their young children the gift of giving back, little did they know just how generous their four year old daughter could be. Listening intently to her parents words, young Abirami decided the best way to celebrate her own birthday was to donate her gifts and make other children happy.
Guided by her parents, the sensitive four-year old viewed local charitable organizations online and chose the children at St. Joseph’s School for the Blind in  Jersey City as the recipients of her birthday gifts. Abirami’s family and friends fully supported her request and in lieu of toys or games presented the child with donations for the school at her birthday party.
Abirami Chinnakaruppan is flanked by her parents Nachu and Chinna Chinnakaruppan and her brother Arun as she celebrates her 4th birthday with family and friends. In lieu of presents, Abirami donated gifts totaling $1,601 to St. Joseph's School for the Blind.
On June 5th, Abirami’s wish came true when she visited the school and gave Interim Executive Director Judy Ortman her presents totaling $1,601.  Touched by the earnest generosity of such a young child, Ms. Ortman said “Abirami’s gift enriches all of our lives as we witness and learn from the joy of one child so graciously giving to another.”
Right to left: Abirami Chinnakaruppan, Asha Arun and Shiva Subramanian toured St. Joseph's School for the Blind and saw firsthand the specialized equipment used to help the students who are blind, visually impaired and multiply disabled.
Abirami’s parents were so impressed by their daughter’s kindness they surprised her with a special gift. Mr. Chinnakaruppan, Director of Project Management, Consumer Healthcare Division at Schering-Plough, said, “We are very proud of Abirami for her generosity and that she is happy with the bicycle she got as a gift from us. We hope she will continue giving to those less fortunate than her and be a good example to her younger brother,”
Abirami’s generous donation was used to purchase specialized classroom equipment for the St. Joseph's students who are blind, visually impaired and multiply disabled and range in age from 3 to 21 years of age.
St. Joseph's is the only school for the blind in New Jersey. To learn more about St. Joseph's School for the Blind contact Ellen M. Felicetta, Director of Development (201) 876-5432 x 113, email efelicetta@sjsnj.org
FIRST ANNUAL WALK-A-THON RAISED FUNDS FOR
ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
Jersey City, NJ - Students, faculty, families and friends joined together on Friday, May 23, 2008 for St. Joseph's School for the Blind First Annual Walk-A-Thon. The successful event, held at Pershing Field Park in Jersey City Heights, was sponsored by generous supporters including the PSEG Foundation, Pepsi-Cola, Entenmann's, Target, Shop-Rite and a host of businesses and individuals from around the region. Together they helped raise more than $15,000 which will aid in the purchase of specialized equipment for the students to assist them in the academic and therapeutic areas.
The school's Assistant Administrator, Judy Ortman was overwhelmed by the tremendous response to the event. “Our students and staff have put their hearts, souls and feet into this wonderful event. We are most grateful to our many supporters who have helped us make this a win-win for everyone,” she said.
Assistant Principal Joe Gugliemella said, “I've been amazed at the enthusiasm displayed by students and staff regarding the Walk-A-Thon. This is my first year as an administrator at the school and I've always felt a sense of community as these fundraisers are undertaken. The Walk-A-Thon is the latest example of how we work together.”
The Jersey City community also stepped up to help make the day a success. The Jersey City Police Department and the Department of Parks worked together to provide a safe and secure route for the event.
If you missed our walk, there's still time to be counted. Send your donation to St. Joseph's School for the Blind, 761 Summit Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07307. St. Joseph's offers comprehensive services for students with blindness, visual impairments and multiple disabilities, ages 3-21. The school also provides an early intervention program for infants from birth to 3 years of age with vision impairments and possible multiple disabilities. St. Joseph's is the only school for the blind in New Jersey.
Contact Ed Lucas, Director of Fundraising & Public Education at (201) 876-5432 x 162 or Ellen Felicetta, Director of Development at (201) 876-5432 x 113 for future fundraising events.
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June, 2007
St. Joseph School for the Blind
Takes the LEED
Jersey City, New Jersey - St. Joseph's School for the Blind has been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), recognizing its advanced achievements in sustainability.
"It is such a great honor to be awarded the LEED certification. This has been the vision for our student body and administration since the early planning stages. This is another example our continuing commitment to our students, administration and the community with regard to issues of sustainability,” said Gerald Kitzhoffer, Chief School Administrator.
LEED is the USGBC's leading-edge system for designing and constructing the world's greenest, energy efficient, high-performing buildings.
St. Joseph's School for the Blind was designed to achieve LEED Certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. LEED, which verifies environmental performance, occupant health and financial return, was established for market leaders to design and construct buildings that protect and save precious resources while also making good economic sense. For example, during the construction phase, fifty-seven percent of the debris generated was recycled and fifteen percent of the materials used to build the new school contained recycled materials which significantly reduced the amount of construction trash. To reduce the fuel used in transportation, twenty-four of the materials used in the building were manufactured within 500 miles. Water saving measures like low flow faucets and shower heads were installed creating the potential for saving water. Additionally, a carbon dioxide monitoring system adjusts the amount of fresh air coming into the school in proportion to the buildings occupants.
The new two-story state of art school houses twenty large, well equipped classrooms arranged so that young students and those with physical disabilities are on the first floor and older students and those who are more mobile are located on the second floor. Additional conference/meeting and multipurpose areas, music and art rooms allow our students to easily move around and explore their new surroundings.
Located in Heights section of Jersey City, the new state of the art facility was designed to anchor Concordia House, the student's residence to the adjacent sensory playground.
The LEED standard has been adopted nationwide by federal agencies, state and local governments, and interested private companies as the industry standard of measurement for green building.
About St. Joseph's School for the Blind
Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, St. Joseph's is an educational facility that has a 116 year-old tradition of providing quality services in a caring environment that fosters and maximizes each student's development. It is St. Joseph's mission to serve children throughout the state who are blind, visually impaired or who have multiple disabilities. For more information, please visit: www.sjsnj.org.
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St. Joseph's School
for the Blind
761 Summit Avenue • Jersey City, NJ 07307
Phone: (201) 876-5432 • Fax: (201) 876-5431 |
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