Dear HobokenJournal Readers:
As the year winds down, lost in the blizzard of catalogues, cards and invitations that blow in through the mail slot each day, most of us will receive urgent solicitations from worthwhile organizations seeking our help before we all begin to say “twenty-ten” instead of “o-nine”. Such is our culture and its abundance. This letter is one of those appeals.
Struggling to meet the demands and obligations placed on our time and wallets all in the names of faith, fun and good cheer, it’s easy to forget that despite the economic downturn of the past year, there are many others in our community who are much less fortunate than most of us and dozens of them live at 1301 Washington Street in Hoboken - our YMCA. I’ve had the privilege of speaking with some of them and here is a brief snapshot of just two of these gentlemen:
With impeccable manners and a contagious, positive outlook, “Andrew” came to live in our town almost thirty years ago after losing a business and a significant relationship in Brooklyn. Seeking a place to re-build his life, he came to reside with us looking for, in his words, a new home that was “safe, quiet and affordable”. “Andrew” stated that he believes we are providing a necessary service and doesn’t know where he’d go if we did not offer housing as part of our continued mission. Taking advantage of our fitness center and other services, “Andrew” remembers fondly being regaled with stories by a retired merchant seaman and never tired from the retelling of his tales, recalled by the kind of character that was a vestige of Hoboken’s maritime history, many of whom chose to take advantage of our facility. Though the trades have changed, the need for this important rung on our local housing ladder is still here.
Displaced by one of the infamous fires in Hoboken in which he lost not only his home but family members too, “Vinny” moved in with us in 1985 and has stayed ever since. Born at Margaret Hague Hospital, “Vinny” lived all of his life in Hoboken. Retiring after his last place of employment closed, much older and unable to find work, he now spends his days playing basketball, taking advantage of the “meals on wheels” program and the holiday dinners we serve to our residents with the help and generosity of our local restaurants, dedicated staff and tireless board members.
But housing is not the only thing we do. After 127 years, we are one of the oldest social service organizations in Hudson County and no other charity does what we do as we strive to serve every segment of our population every day of the year including our “silver sneakers” program for senior citizens, teen center nights, summer camp, after-school programs and member- scholarships offered to qualified individuals and families.
These and other programs will be part of our renewed vision and renovated structure as we continue to be a significant contributor to the Hoboken-North Hudson community’s past, present and future. We’re hoping you will be a contributor too. Your tax-deductible donation is sorely needed and very much appreciated and can easily be made through our website at http://www.hobokenymca.org/. Thank you, dear friends and neighbors.
Sincerely,
Paul J. Somerville
President, Board of Directors
Hoboken-North Hudson YMCA ◦
