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Year End Brings New President And Big Donations For Manchester Deborah
By Kim Fink
 | | Patricia Lucey and Doloras Czekaj-Ayers, of the Deborah Foundation, passes the torch. |
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Doloras Czekaj-Ayers was filled with emotion last Thursday afternoon as she said goodbye to her fellow officers and stepped down from her position as president of Deborah Foundation's Manchester branch, an organization dedicated to raising money for Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills.
"It is with a heavy heart that I leave but it is time to move on," said Czekaj- Ayers as she passed the torch to new president and long time member Patricia Lucey, who will begin her term in January.
Lucey happily accepted the position on December 18 at the organization's holiday luncheon held at Harmony Hall in Whiting.
"All I can say is that I will do my best," Lucey stated. "I have some great ideas and hope to raise a lot of money for Deborah in the upcoming year."
Not an easy feat for Lucey who has a hard act to follow. Manchester's branch of Deborah Foundation raised a staggering $51,239 for the specialized hospital in 2007 alone.
"It was a good year for us," stated the organization's treasurer. "The yearly totals were big numbers; $12,500 came from our auctions and fundraisers, $267 came from the Crestwood Social Club and $38,472 came from individual donations in the name of our chapter."
Deborah Hospital is New Jersey's only specialized heart and lung facility helping patients of all ages regardless of their ability to pay for treatment.
That's where Deborah's local chapters come in. Local organizations volunteer their time to help organize fundraisers to generate financial assistance to the hospital.
"It doesn't take much to help out. Volunteers come in all fashions," said Czekajpreviously Ayers in her closing speech. "Providing transportation for a fellow member to get to a meeting or offering your time to work a luncheon in enough. You don't have to have money to help. Even lending a sympathetic ear to a lonely patient is helpful. Everyone has something to give."
Upcoming President Lucey urges people to get involved. "We are doing well but we could always use new members. The bigger the group, the more we can help."
For more information on upcoming fundraisers or to inquire about membership, contact Patricia Lucey at 848-448-2561.
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