Morristown Patch Ushers in Site Launch With Day of Volunteerism

On Tuesday, Aug. 17, a row of Patch employees, bedecked in white t-shirts with the bold green logo of the company they work for, set to trimming back the overgrowth besieging a fence at the Market Street Mission Thrift Store as part of the company's nationwide "Give 5" volunteerism campaign.

Most had clippers, some raked the weeds into neat piles, others held trash bags to collect the detritus. One person had none of this. Kerri Angell, executive support for Patch's main office in New York City, asked to take a photo. Seeing an opportunity to look manly and impressive, the person without clipper, rake or bag smiled, dug deep into the weeds and pulled out a mighty clump, tossing it on the ground. That manly impressive person was me.

Then someone said there might be poison ivy in there.

Despite the threat of infection (which, as of this writing has thankfully not come to pass), about a dozen Patch employees, from this site's Local Editor, to its Regional Editor, to ad managers from the region and several folks from New York, enjoyed a jam-packed day full of volunteerism at the Market Street Mission, its thrift store and later at the Harrison Street Playground.

The ongoing "Give 5" volunteer initiative is part of Patch's mission to not only give back to the community by informing it with strong reporting through one of our 100 (and counting) sites in nine states throughout the country, it also was part of the celebration of the company's 100th site launch, right here in Morristown. All 100 sites participated in a volunteer effort of their own in their respective communities.

In the morning, we visited the Market Street Mission where Nancy Hanna, volunteer coordinator for the Mission, gave us a thorough and informative tour, about the Market Street Mission, its history, its services, as well as an in-depth look at the positive effect its programs for 100 years have had on men fighting drug and alcohol addictions.

Then, it was off to the Mission's thrift store, where the Patch people helped organize clothes and other items for sale in the vast store. Then, it was time to go outside to trim back the weeds.

"Did he say there's poison ivy in here," asked Regional Editor Louis Hochman. "Now, I'm glad I decided not to wear shorts today."

After some cold water to drink, and a thorough wash of exposed arms and legs, it was off to Harrison Street Playground, off Early Street, where Patch is participating in Morristown's "Adopt-A-Spot" program, where an individual or organization "adopts" a publicly accessible location and commits to cleaning up whatever mess might be there at least four times a year.

The day of volunteerism left an impression on those involved.

"The work the Market Street Mission does is absolutely incredible," Hochman said. "It's inspiring to see not only how it helps people who've lost so much to their own struggles find paths to recovery, but how it often transitions them into roles where they're doing the same for others. To lend even a small hand to that effort was tremendously gratifying, but it doesn't begin to compare to the work the people at Market Street Mission do every day."

Angell agreed, citing Chris Strazza, a recovering alcoholic that joined the Market Street Mission recovery program over a year ago and now works for them. "To see how the help of volunteers and caring employees can help change a person's life by providing them with hope and direction was truly amazing," she said.

I, too, walked away inspired. Market Street Mission and the Adopt-A-Spot program are but two examples of a long list of service organizations and programs throughout Morristown that not only are out there helping others, but are always in need of our help. It's humbling to think of what we consider stress, burden in comparison to what so many people right here in our community must face every day. Our contribution might have been small, but it was well beyond worth it.