IHOC PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
February 7, 2013
The upcoming year appears to be very promising. We at IHOC will continue with its rich tradition. In the face of the challenges we faced during the course of last year, primarily financial, we, today, are having another Annual Meeting celebrating IHOC’s achievements of the past year.
On the fund raising end the Mall Walk, which is held in February, once again provided us with a major boost, historically our largest. There are many volunteers who participate in this event and it takes a lot of effort to run and organize. With that, I would like to single out the co chairs that do a tremendous job in coordinating this event, Carol Dann and Fred Astmann. The Annual Dinner, which is held in the fall, to our joy, surpassed by more than double, the previous years amount. Again, there are many volunteers who participate in this event, but I would like to single out the coordinators, Ruth Morgenroth and Peggy Schlagle. A new twist in the fund raising category last year was the bowling event that also turned out to be a success. Here I would like to give thanks in coordinating this event to Sonya Jacobs. Then there are the grocery certificates that continue to be a constant source of monies for IHOC.
The Public grants that we received last year were from HUD and from the State of New Jersey. On private side we received grants from the United Way, The Rita and Harold Greenberger Foundation, Gannet and also from the South Jersey Charitable Foundation.
IHOC continues to own and manage a residence for the Permanent Housing Program that has been and still is occupied. The Network Program counseled and assisted the individuals who participated and graduated four. I want to thank the counselors who participate in this program. This part of our program is currently in full swing as we speak. The John Dambly House in Lawnside, IHOC’s Transitional Housing Program, had a major building overhaul primarily in the lower level and we continue to upkeep the house and grounds with the help of volunteers and cooperating subcontractors that we occasional have to rely on. There we currently have five men living in the house.
The Adopt-A-Box and Pac-A-Sak programs collected hundreds of boxes and backpacks for children and families.
I would like to acknowledge and thank the many volunteers who with their efforts continue to keep IHOC going. Let’s make 2013 our most successful year ever.
Thank You.