In Loving Memory - Jerry Maziarz
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We are deeply saddened to share the news that our beloved volunteer, Jerry Maziarz, passed away suddenly on 2/18/26. Jerry was a volunteer with us for 25 years. He came to the center every day with a heart full of love and compassion and a smile for everyone. He inspired each one of us every day with his caring and beautiful spirit. His volunteer efforts helped thousands of people each year. Please keep Jerry’s family and all who loved him in your prayers. We are pausing our 40th anniversary Daily Dedications, and dedicate the next week of services in memory of Jerry. We will hold a memorial service at St. Joseph's on Thursday, 2/26 at 12:30pm. All of our St. Joseph's community are welcome. |
Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award
In 2021, Jerry was awarded the Russ Berrie Foundation Making a Difference Award. He never stopped volunteering during Covid! The nomination we submitted is below. We are so grateful that we were blessed to know Jerry and to have him as part of our family, and that his contributions were recognized with this honor.
Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award Nomination
Jerzy “Jerry” Maziarz has made a difference in the lives of his neighbors every day for the past 19 years through his volunteer work at St. Joseph Social Service Center in Elizabeth, NJ. Jerry is a compassionate, dedicated, and tireless volunteer. He serves over 2,500 people each month through the St. Joseph’s food program. For approximately 19 years, Jerry has volunteered between 5 and 6 hours each day…6 days a week! Jerry drives to various donation sites, and to the Community Food Bank of NJ, to pick up food. He loads and unloads the van and then goes back out to do it again. He cheerfully and enthusiastically says “Of course” every time we get a call from a place that has food to donate to us, even if it means volunteering more hours to fit in the “extras” along with the regularly scheduled pickups. His compassion has created a lasting impact among our community partners and clients. People know about St. Joseph’s because Jerry is our ambassador.
Jerry did all of the above BEFORE Covid.
He has not stopped for a moment, despite the pandemic. Even after we had a Covid outbreak in early November, Jerry did not stop doing his daily food pickups and helping us make Thanksgiving possible for our community. While several paid staff members were out sick with Covid, Jerry - an unpaid volunteer - picked up the slack and kept on serving the community.
Throughout this past pandemic year, Jerry has continued his relentless volunteer schedule and made sure that our sisters and brothers in the Elizabeth area have plenty of food. He wakes up in the early hours of the morning to see what is available for “shopping” on the Community Food Bank website so that we can continue to provide the best possible items to our community. He is truly a selfless, caring and compassionate person.
Jerry is an inspiration to all who meet him. He selflessly gives his time and talent to those in need. On a recent rare occasion that he took some time to go fishing with his son, a person in the park recognized Jerry as a St. Joseph’s volunteer and asked him to take some donations to the center. Of course…Jerry said “ of course!.”
Jerry even does paperwork for the Food Bank with a smile! He makes deliveries to clients who are homebound, and makes their day when he arrives. On Sundays when we are closed, Jerry still comes by to feed the cat that “adopted” us. Jerry is a selfless and caring individual who serves his community with joy and compassion. The food program at St. Joseph’s is made possible by Jerry’s volunteerism and dedication. He is a blessing to the Elizabeth community and to St. Joseph’s. We hope that you agree that Jerry Maziarz is truly an unsung hero.
Major Accomplishments
Jerry’s most major accomplishment is his tireless compassion for his sisters and brothers in need. Despite the pandemic, bad weather, or busy times in his personal life, he gives of himself to make sure that nobody goes hungry. He not only goes out to pick up food, he also delivers to some of our community members who can’t get to our center.
St. Joseph Social Service Center helps an average of 2500 people per month. With Jerry’s participation over the last 19 years, that would equal 47,500 people on an annual basis. He truly is an amazing, dedicated volunteer who is always there to help his neighbors. It is difficult to describe just how much he cares and gives.
Jerry is a key factor in St. Joseph Social Service Center’s existence. Without Jerry, we would not be able to distribute food. Without Jerry, there would not be a daily supply of food products “gleaned” from local supermarkets. Without Jerry, the food supply for our food pantry would not be there. Without Jerry, our staff and volunteers would not be inspired each and every day to assist our sisters and brothers in need.
Why should this person receive the award?
Jerry should receive the Russ Berrie Making a Difference award because he CHOOSES to make a difference every day. As a volunteer, he could easily decide that he does not want to risk contracting COVID, or he could choose to attend to his other responsibilities, but Jerry CHOOSES to serve his sisters and brothers.
Jerry’s dedication to service is truly remarkable. He makes service to our sisters and brothers a priority in his life. Regardless of how busy he is, he has never turned down an opportunity to personally volunteer or to ensure that St Joseph’s takes advantage of an opportunity to provide food to our community.
Jerry is truly a blessing to all who know him...and to many who just know that when the St. Joseph’s van arrives into our parking area, that there will be plenty to share!
In 2021, Jerry was awarded the Russ Berrie Foundation Making a Difference Award. He never stopped volunteering during Covid! The nomination we submitted is below. We are so grateful that we were blessed to know Jerry and to have him as part of our family, and that his contributions were recognized with this honor.
Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award Nomination
Jerzy “Jerry” Maziarz has made a difference in the lives of his neighbors every day for the past 19 years through his volunteer work at St. Joseph Social Service Center in Elizabeth, NJ. Jerry is a compassionate, dedicated, and tireless volunteer. He serves over 2,500 people each month through the St. Joseph’s food program. For approximately 19 years, Jerry has volunteered between 5 and 6 hours each day…6 days a week! Jerry drives to various donation sites, and to the Community Food Bank of NJ, to pick up food. He loads and unloads the van and then goes back out to do it again. He cheerfully and enthusiastically says “Of course” every time we get a call from a place that has food to donate to us, even if it means volunteering more hours to fit in the “extras” along with the regularly scheduled pickups. His compassion has created a lasting impact among our community partners and clients. People know about St. Joseph’s because Jerry is our ambassador.
Jerry did all of the above BEFORE Covid.
He has not stopped for a moment, despite the pandemic. Even after we had a Covid outbreak in early November, Jerry did not stop doing his daily food pickups and helping us make Thanksgiving possible for our community. While several paid staff members were out sick with Covid, Jerry - an unpaid volunteer - picked up the slack and kept on serving the community.
Throughout this past pandemic year, Jerry has continued his relentless volunteer schedule and made sure that our sisters and brothers in the Elizabeth area have plenty of food. He wakes up in the early hours of the morning to see what is available for “shopping” on the Community Food Bank website so that we can continue to provide the best possible items to our community. He is truly a selfless, caring and compassionate person.
Jerry is an inspiration to all who meet him. He selflessly gives his time and talent to those in need. On a recent rare occasion that he took some time to go fishing with his son, a person in the park recognized Jerry as a St. Joseph’s volunteer and asked him to take some donations to the center. Of course…Jerry said “ of course!.”
Jerry even does paperwork for the Food Bank with a smile! He makes deliveries to clients who are homebound, and makes their day when he arrives. On Sundays when we are closed, Jerry still comes by to feed the cat that “adopted” us. Jerry is a selfless and caring individual who serves his community with joy and compassion. The food program at St. Joseph’s is made possible by Jerry’s volunteerism and dedication. He is a blessing to the Elizabeth community and to St. Joseph’s. We hope that you agree that Jerry Maziarz is truly an unsung hero.
Major Accomplishments
Jerry’s most major accomplishment is his tireless compassion for his sisters and brothers in need. Despite the pandemic, bad weather, or busy times in his personal life, he gives of himself to make sure that nobody goes hungry. He not only goes out to pick up food, he also delivers to some of our community members who can’t get to our center.
St. Joseph Social Service Center helps an average of 2500 people per month. With Jerry’s participation over the last 19 years, that would equal 47,500 people on an annual basis. He truly is an amazing, dedicated volunteer who is always there to help his neighbors. It is difficult to describe just how much he cares and gives.
Jerry is a key factor in St. Joseph Social Service Center’s existence. Without Jerry, we would not be able to distribute food. Without Jerry, there would not be a daily supply of food products “gleaned” from local supermarkets. Without Jerry, the food supply for our food pantry would not be there. Without Jerry, our staff and volunteers would not be inspired each and every day to assist our sisters and brothers in need.
Why should this person receive the award?
Jerry should receive the Russ Berrie Making a Difference award because he CHOOSES to make a difference every day. As a volunteer, he could easily decide that he does not want to risk contracting COVID, or he could choose to attend to his other responsibilities, but Jerry CHOOSES to serve his sisters and brothers.
Jerry’s dedication to service is truly remarkable. He makes service to our sisters and brothers a priority in his life. Regardless of how busy he is, he has never turned down an opportunity to personally volunteer or to ensure that St Joseph’s takes advantage of an opportunity to provide food to our community.
Jerry is truly a blessing to all who know him...and to many who just know that when the St. Joseph’s van arrives into our parking area, that there will be plenty to share!