(above) Marcia DiNorscio delivering from Bovella’s to Mary Root.
Mountainside Active Retirees Thank Caring Neighbors
Submitted by Kenny I., M.A.R. President
These are difficult times living during the Covid-19 pandemic, even more so if you are of a certain age. This crisis, as dark and fearful as it is, has magnified the goodness that has always been present in Mountainsides’ citizens.
The board of the Mountainside Active Retirees, on behalf of its’ many members and not-yet members would like to give thanks to the wonderful work being done by a group of caring neighbors, led by our Senior Citizen Coordinator, Kim Moriak’s dream, of “I wish we could do something to help” become a reality for the seniors of Mountainside.
Ms. Moriak, along with councilperson Rachel Pater and a team of 40 plus volunteers including, among others, high school and college students Jay Jay and Allie Post, Carolyn Freer, Zack Kisciras, Christopher Schmedel and Emma Londino, mothers, fathers, educators, business people, homemakers, retired and non-retired folks. All have become special guardians of Mountainsides’ senior community.
This group of big hearted volunteers are paired up by Ms. Moriak and Ms. Pater with vulnerable seniors to do their basic food shopping (10-12 items) and home delivery which limits high risk seniors to minimal social contact.
Ms. Moriak noted that Stop & Shop of Westfield has become the prime outlet for the group and has been extremely helpful in trying to fill orders, advising the seniors that not all items requested can be requisitioned depending on store stock.
Also a weekly home delivery menu, usually on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, is put together by Ms. Moriak, Ms. Pater, participating Mountainside food establishments and other local food businesses. The senior meals are provided free of charge or at a reduced cost depending on seniors’ income and need.
A growing list of businesses has expanded to include: Basilico’s in Millburn, Bovella’s Rt. 22 E. Mountainside, Cioffi’s in Springfield, Chrone’s Tavern, Famous Dave’s, Mazzella’s Gourmet Market, Mosiaco Rt.22 W., Mountainside, The Mountainside Deli., The Mountainside Public House, O’Brien’s of Clark, and The Outback Steakhouse.
Volunteer Nancy Zoraian, has taken on the responsibility of calling the participating seniors weekly for their order for the coming week. This meal delivery aspect of home guardianship has grown from 38 daily meals to 110 at the time of this writing.
The meals are picked up at the participating restaurant, usually by Ms. Moriak and Ms. Pater, brought to the parking lot of the Mountainside Library and dispersed to the individual team members waiting to deliver.
Considering the amount of meals involved, it is amazing to watch the speed and military precision involved in carrying out this task.
All meals and groceries are delivered and paid for without any person to person contact. Protective masks and gloves, are worn by all volunteers to protect themselves and their charges when delivering.
Besides food shopping and prepared meal delivery, cloth masks are being hand made by Mark Zacieracha, Cindy Hannan and her daughter Claire Hannan (a senior at Governor Livingston) for the Health Care Heroes at Overlook Hospital, and also for Kims’ team of volunteers and Mountainside seniors.
M.A.R. members Ellie Annis, Deb Boehner, Juliet Jankowitz, & Dayle Treece have been able to provide Mr. Zacieracha & the two Ms. Hannans’ material (sheets & pillow cases) for the work they are doing. Additional donations, especially sewing thread and ¼-inch elastic, are needed for all three volunteers to continue their work.
We thank each and every one of the volunteers, named and un-named in this article, for all the wonderful, unselfish things they are doing for our community of seniors.
If you are a Mountainside senior who needs assistance or anyone wishing to volunteer their time, transportation and/or mask material to assist Kim, please contact her at 908-812-4434.
Photos by Mountainside Active Retirees
(above, l-r) Allison Saia, Kim Moriak, Councilperson Rachel Pater, Rhonda Cantor, Linda LaBaeu.
(above) Volunteer Zack Kisciras making a delivery.
(above) Lisa Minks delivering to Doloris Mayer from Tarantella’s.
(above) Marissa Torres delivering from The Outback to Susan Kandell
(above) Mountainside mayor Paul Mirabelli delivering to resident Don Jeka (106 years young).
(above) Former councilperson Glenn Mortimer delivering from Basilico’s to Ruth Goense.
(above) Volunteers in the Mountainside Library parking
