Moorestown’s Monique Begg is 84 years old and has been volunteering for most of her life. For the past 18 years, Begg has been helping the less fortunate families of Moorestown through her volunteer organization Friends Enrichment Program, of which she is the program founder and coordinator.
Begg was acknowledged for all of her hard work in the area by being presented with the Community Service Award of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People during the Southern Burlington County Chapter’s Freedom Fund Gala on Oct. 30.
“Monique Begg and Friends Enrichment Program have surely distinguished themselves through committed service to the community on behalf of the less fortunate children … This program has given them enrichment and opportunities — their parents could not have afforded — that will last a lifetime,” said Crystal Charley, president of Southern Burlington County NAACP. “Also, I have witnessed Monique Begg go above and beyond to assist and advocate for the families. There have been times that students of color have been unfairly treated, and she has advocated for those students at school. She is the example of community service, love and inclusion.”
“I feel honored and I hope I can live up to (the award). I always understand you can do more; I think you can always stretch yourself a teeny more. I will continue to do the best I can for as long as I live,” Begg said.
Through FEP, Begg reaches out to children with a message of love and inclusion. Under her leadership, FEP’s mission is to develop skills and talents and build self-confidence in children enrolled in the program. Within fund-raising limits, FEP issues scholarships for school-age children to attend day or overnight summer camp, and to register for art classes, sports clinics and music lessons at no cost to their parents.
FEP has reached out to more than 350 children and awarded more than $190,600 in scholarships since 1997. During the school year, FEP also runs a program on Sunday afternoons with activities open to all scholarship recipients and other school-age children.
“What you hope is that the children will grow happier if they have something to do on the side that is pleasing to them,” Begg said.
Growing up, Begg was surrounded by volunteerism. Born in Montreal, Canada, her mother would help less fortunate families in the neighborhood, and her father, a furniture salesman, would generously allow people to pay what they could for furniture.
Begg was a volunteer in a group that provided services to residents of a slum of Montreal. She was assigned to a few families, bringing them food and other necessities regularly. During the winter, she bagged coal in burlap bags and delivered it to these families. During the summer, the group ran a children’s summer camp in the Laurentian Mountains, where Begg worked as a volunteer.
“I just felt like it was a moral obligation to help those who have less than we have. I think I felt this from a long time ago, and that is why I volunteered my hours to help those who had less. When you help other people, you benefit as much if not more than the people you help. You get a feeling that your immediate world is benefiting from your time on earth. I want to feel when I left this world that I left it a bit better,” Begg said.
When Begg moved to Moorestown with her husband Edwin, she noticed there were some families in Moorestown who were struggling financially, with children running around, feeling like they had nothing. Begg wanted to help those children by giving them a productive alternative. So in 1997, Begg started FEP to give children opportunities they normally wouldn’t get, starting with enrolling families in swim lessons at the Moorestown Community House.
“There are a number of poor families in Moorestown, not all in affordable housing. The people want to be here because they want the schools, so they are willing to make sacrifices to be here, but may end up needing help from time to time,” Begg said.
The Community Service Award of the NAACP is presented to a person or organization that distinguishes them through their committed service to the community on behalf of those less fortunate.
“(Monique Begg) has made it her life’s work to eradicate racism through inclusion, love and community service. She is a modern day Freedom Fighter. She is passionate about social justice and equality,” Charley said.
Begg felt honored to receive the award, with her husband, son and many others surrounding her.
“I’m glad I did this. You never know who it is going to work out for in the long run. It is not something that I have control over; I only have control over what I do. I just hope that I am able to do this for a good many years,” Begg said.
For those who would like to know more about FEP, call Begg at (856) 235–3963.
