CIANJ: Bergen Community College Cares
PARAMUS, N.J. – The Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ), in partnership with Commerce Magazine, has recognized Bergen Community College with a “Companies That Care Award” for brightening the holiday season of Valley Hospital patients through a teddy bear donation program. CIANJ celebrated Bergen during a morning ceremony on April 16 at the Glen Ridge Country Club.
“We are proud to celebrate these organizations that lead with purpose and make a difference beyond their business operations,” CIANJ President Anthony Russo said. “It is always an honor to host this event and highlight the incredible work being done across New Jersey.”
Executive Assistant to the Board of Trustees and the President Maria Ferrara organized a group of 14 volunteers at the College to stuff, fluff and dress teddy bears that ultimately ended up in the hands of some of Valley’s smallest patients just days before Christmas. Volunteers dressed the bears in colorful costumes, including mermaids, sports stars and college graduates. Ferrara said she felt compelled to raise the spirits of children spending the holidays undergoing medical treatments.
“For these children, the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ was very difficult,” she said. “I think that’s why we had such an overwhelming response from the College community to provide some much-needed cheer for the children. Everyone wanted to contribute to something positive that let them know that people in their community care about them.”
Although more than 40 organizations earned recognition through the CIANJ program, Bergen represented one of only three from the higher education sector - and the lone community college. Bergen has secured six “Companies That Care” awards in the last decade.
Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 24,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.
Photo Caption: Bergen Community College Vice President of External Affairs Suzanne Wetzel; Manager of Workforce and Career Placement Nancy Podesta; President Eric M. Friedman, Ph.D.; Executive Administrative Assistant Christine Silvestri; Executive Assistant to the Board of Trustees and the President Maria Ferrara; CIANJ President Anthony Russo; and Bergen Board of Trustees Member Ana Marti.
What's Related