Forty-one total recipients from Gloucester and Salem County schools
Press release issued by: Law offices of Hoffman DiMuzio
The law firm of Hoffman DiMuzio has allocated close to half a million dollars to its “Gift of the Heart” Community Scholarship Foundation. Forty-one graduating seniors from Gloucester and Salem County High Schools have been selected to receive a one thousand dollar scholarship for embodying the service ideals of the program. This week, the 2018 “Gift of the Heart” Hoffman DiMuzio Community Service Foundation recipients are from Clearview Regional High School: Sonja Hegel and Jason Garwood.
Sonja Hegel
Like many Gift of the Heart recipients, Sonja Hegel is involved in several service organizations, ranging from the Think Big Team to the Students United for Respect and Equality. While she is drawn to volunteer in a variety of areas, Sonja is particularly passionate about women’s empowerment. She explains, “my favorite projects are always the ones that lift up women and provide aid for women who need it most, and through my involvement in extracurriculars, I’m able to do just that.”
While volunteering with S.U.R.E. Sonja has raised money on multiple occasions for Awaken Kibera, a non-profit that fundraises for marginalized girls living in the Kenyan slum of Kibera. In the past four years these projects have included the annual Halloween breakfast, a Color Run, Designer Bag Bingo and jewelry sales. Through S.U.R.E. Sonja also helped run a feminine products drive for Covenant House, an organization that houses homeless and at-risk teenage girls.
Some of Sonja’s other positions include acting president of the National Honor Society, president of Students in Action and a representative on Student Council.
Jason Garwood
Community service has been a longstanding passion for Jason Garwood. He views volunteer work as a means to not only improve his immediate community but also to promote a positive ethos on a broader scale. He believes “…the joy of service is infectious…” and has the potential to incite incredible change.
Jason holds leadership positions in several school organizations, including Student Council president, the Treasurer of the National Honor Society and the Junior Classical League Food Coordinator. Additionally, he is a member of S.U.R.E., Key club and Interact club. Through these commitments he has planned and participated in countless food drives, fundraisers and school events. In his community, Jason is a board member of Your Place at the Table. This church-affiliated group is dedicated to organizing and actively collecting food and miscellaneous products for families in need in the local community.
In addition to these organizations, Jason has in the past also volunteered time aiding a local assisted living facility, walking in Rowan’s Annual March of Dimes and playing piano. Aside from his community service, he also competes with the Math League and Science League and is a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions and Heal club.
