MTN Organization, Inc.

Yvette Anderson is the Founder and Executive Director of MTN Organization, Inc., a Freehold-based nonprofit that serves communities throughout New Jersey. Originally from Manalapan, NJ, Yvette now resides in Jackson, NJ. She has dedicated over two decades of her life to making a profound impact on others, driven by her passion for service and a strong belief in the power of community.

Yvette’s commitment to helping those in need began long before she founded MTN Organization in 2010. Her work has led to remarkable achievements, including providing over 34,000 meals annually through her organization’s meal distribution programs, delivering 900 Thanksgiving baskets to families in need, and distributing groceries to 100 families weekly from the organization’s food pantry. She also supports local students by distributing 800 backpacks filled with school supplies each year and providing toys for 2,000 children during the holidays.

Recently, Yvette launched the MTN Readiness Program, which offers free educational classes to help individuals prepare for a better future.

Throughout her career, Yvette has been a tireless advocate for vulnerable populations, with notable contributions including:

• Delivering meals, groceries, and essentials twice a week to 60 at risk families during the COVID 19 Pandemic.
• Supplying lunches for over 3400 students at the beginning of the pandemic.
• Creating a Science and Sensory Garden for special needs students in Eatontown, NJ. Providing bicycles to students in Neptune and Asbury Park through the Blooming into Excellence
• Establishing a Life Skills Program at Irvington High School, equipping special needs students with practical skills for independent living. (computers, washer, dryer full kitchen and living room).

Yvette also works directly with families facing homelessness, helping single mothers keep their families together, and providing essential services such as securing benefits, replacing lost identification cards, and navigating social services. She mentors at-risk youth, supports job seekers with interview preparation, and offers emotional and spiritual support to those facing adversity.

Having retired from the Social Security Administration, Yvette continues her work with unwavering dedication. Whether it’s providing food, offering guidance, or advocating for those in need, Yvette is constantly working to improve the lives of others. Her efforts extend beyond basic services, creating a foundation of hope, dignity, and opportunity for individuals from all walks of life, including seniors, special needs individuals, and survivors of domestic violence.

Yvette’s ability to meet the needs of her community is unparalleled, and her determination shows no signs of slowing down. For nearly 15 years, she has made a lasting impact, and her work continues to touch the lives of thousands.

Rami’s Heart Corp

Born in Florida and raised in New Jersey from the age of seven, Michelle Barney embodies resilience, compassion, and the power of community. In 1992, at just 20 years old, Michelle married her best friend, Guy. Together, they built a loving home in Howell, NJ, creating a beautiful life filled with love and friendship.

However, after 28 years of marriage, in December 2020, Michelle faced unimaginable grief with the loss of her beloved Guy due to COVID-19 complications. Her world was turned upside down, and she found herself struggling to cope, barely able to get out of bed. The depth of her love for Guy mirrored the profound grief she carried, leaving her in a state of emotional despair.

Encouraged by her sister, Michelle began taking steps to rebuild her life by volunteering with Rami’s Heart Corp, an organization dedicated to supporting families grieving losses from the pandemic. This organization also established the first permanent national memorial to honor those lives lost. Michelle began as a volunteer, and over time, her dedication and leadership earned her a spot on the committee. Today, she proudly serves as a valued member of the board.

Michelle plays a vital part in documenting the names and information submitted by families to honor their loved ones. Her meticulous efforts ensure the organization maintains accurate records for historical and anthropological purposes, safeguarding these legacies for future generations. Over the past three years, Michelle has transformed her grief into action, becoming an invaluable asset to Rami’s Heart Corp. Her unwavering dedication shines through her leadership in organizing our annual holiday event, benefiting children who lost a parent or guardian due to the pandemic by securing donations for tricky tray raffles. She also spearheads awareness campaigns on a national scale. Through Michelle’s dedication, 36 buildings and bridges across the nation, including the iconic Niagara Falls, were illuminated in yellow this year as part of the Annual Lighting Ceremony—a poignant tribute to remembrance and hope.

Michelle’s journey from loss to purpose is both inspiring and impactful. From struggling to even rise out of bed, consumed by the weight of her grief, to passionately rolling up her sleeves and dedicating herself wholeheartedly, Michelle ensures that our loved ones are forever remembered. Through her dedicated work with Rami’s Heart, the legacies of millions continue to endure in profound and meaningful ways—a testament to the strength of her spirit, the depth of her heart, and above all, her enduring love for Guy.

Allaire Community Farm

Originally from Staten Island, Melina spent 22 years in Georgia before moving to New Jersey. A dedicated mother of three, she spent two decades working as a gallery framer, restoration artist, and photographer in Atlanta. In 2015, after a difficult pregnancy with twins, she survived a life-threatening heart attack due to Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) and was given a five-year life expectancy. Defying the odds, she focused on health, family, and resilience.

In 2023, a routine mammogram led to a diagnosis of Stage 2 Invasive Lobular Carcinoma and Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, resulting in a double mastectomy. Cardiac Complications during her mastectomy forced an emergency closure leaving her without any type of breast reconstruction. This procedure left her with a severe infection across her entire chest, that lasted for months. Even now due to her delicate heart condition, reconstructive surgery is not, nor will ever be an option. 

Complications during recovery tested her strength, especially after facing personal hardships, including becoming a single mother. In early 2024, she relocated to New Jersey for support, determined to rebuild her life.

A chance visit to Allaire Community Farm in June 2024 sparked an emotional breakthrough and a newfound passion for volunteering. Now, she balances motherhood, hormonal chemo treatments, and personal healing while giving back to her community. Whether at the farm, crochet club, or supporting her daughters in basketball and dance, Melina continues to embrace resilience, healing, and a future filled with hope.

HABcore

A fourth-generation Monmouth County resident, Eliza Chiles was born and raised in Atlantic Highlands, and attended the Atlantic Highlands Elementary School and Henry Hudson Regional School.

From a young age and in the footsteps of her great grandparents, Dr. George and Mary Jane Sheehan, Eliza learned the values of compassion for neighbors and service to others. Dr. Sheehan’s legacy as a cardiologist, World War II veteran, NY Times bestselling author of books on the sport of running and a co-founder of Christian Brothers Academy in Middletown, imprinted community service on family for generations.

Growing up, she and her friends would organize food drives, taking her red wagon around the neighborhood collecting food for the local food pantry. They also were involved in a “Kindness Club” that performed secret acts of service in the town, including beautification projects of planting flowers in the harbor and parks. She and her family have been active in the schools, and with efforts to protect open space through Neighbors for Waterfront Preservation and initiatives to promote openness in the community with Atlantic Highlands for Equity and Justice.

During middle school, Eliza and friends distributed hundreds of yard signs in support of community, family, and a welcoming neighborhood, and they organized a local march to end racism that attracted 500 people. Eliza also excelled in leadership positions throughout elementary and junior high, including with the National Junior Honor Society, student government, and on the soccer and basketball teams.

Now, as a junior at Trinity Hall in Tinton Falls, Eliza is a top student, with a love of math and science and very involved in leadership and service roles at the school. She is the chair of the Academic Council, a peer tutor, and a member of the HUMM Institute, which uses collaborative, design thinking for community projects. Eliza was a co-leader of Menstrual Mission to collect feminine products for low-income girls and women and also visited Peru last summer to provide community service in the Sacred Valley region.

In her sophomore year at Trinity, Eliza discovered HABcore and began volunteering at its Coffey Residence in Red Bank. There, she spent time helping residents organize their rooms, serving them food, and really getting to know the residents and their stories. Her favorite memory at the Coffey Residence was making a bunny cake and cupcakes with all of the residents for Easter. They were all so excited to decorate their cupcakes, and it made Eliza realize just how impactful HABcore is. She learned that HABcore not only provides housing for all of these individuals in need, but it gives them a community of support and love that brings happiness into their lives.

Eliza wanted to make a larger impact on the wider HABcore community, so she began organizing a Pickleball Social to raise money and awareness for HABcore. Eliza has recruited fellow students to volunteer and educated them about the homeless crisis in Monmouth County.

Together, they have raised money for such an important cause. She now wants to put her math skills to work to collect and analyze the data around the local conditions that exacerbate housing insecurity for county residents.

Shore House

Rowena Crawford-Phillips, aka “Ro”, often jokes that she has become a ‘career volunteer’ – and she wouldn’t change it for the world.  A firm believer in the power and importance of community, she feels blessed to be able to play some small part, in all its possible forms, to support local organizations on the frontlines of helping others – whether that be rolling her sleeves up to serve a thanksgiving meal, making outdoor picnic tables during covid or leveraging her legal and nonprofit qualifications and experience as a board member. 

Currently, Ro serves as Secretary and Governance Chair on the board of Shore House, the first accredited Clubhouse in NJ which empowers and restores hope, independence and self-worth for people living with a mental illness; she serves on the board of Rally Cap Sports which provides sports for people with special needs, and she is also a proud founding member and Co–President of Impact 100 Jersey Coast, a grant-making collaborative which brings women together to award high-impact grants to local nonprofits. 

Ro hails from London, where she worked as an attorney with Charles Russell Speechlys LLP before deciding to move to the U.S. and into the nonprofit world. She completed a Masters in Non-profit Management while working as the Legal and Business Affairs Officer at Seeds of Peace, an internationally recognized conflict transformation organization.  Ro lives in Navesink with her husband and two boys, and her rescue pup, Poppy. 

Mary’s Place by the Sea

Since 2022, Kathleen Deady has served as a House Volunteer and as a weekend Volunteer House Manager for Mary’s Place by the Sea. She is deeply committed to the organization’s mission, ensuring that every woman who walks through its doors feels supported, nurtured, and cared for.

Kathleen’s dedication to service spans decades. She retired as a Detective in the NYPD Special Victims Squad, where she investigated crimes against women and children, offering both justice and compassionate counsel to survivors and their families.  In 1991, Kathleen received the Police Commissioner’s Award for Excellence in Community Policing.

Prior to joining the Police Department, Kathleen created a new position at the Prudential Insurance Company in computer processing, personally trained over 250 employees, and established company-wide procedures for the new position. She was subsequently recruited by Metropolitan Insurance and Union Labor Life Insurance to continue her role in employee development. Earlier in her life, Kathleen volunteered with God’s Love We Deliver, helping provide nutritious meals to those in need. After retiring from the NYPD, Kathleen has worked as a restaurant manager, chef, and caterer, and as a Christmas decorator at shopping malls, business offices, and restaurants.

Beyond her professional and volunteer work, Kathleen is an active leader in her community. She currently serves as President of the Ash Brook Women’s Golf League here in New Jersey, fostering camaraderie and mentorship among women golfers. Her lifelong commitment to service reflects her belief in the power of compassion, advocacy, and community.

Parker Family Health Center

Dr Debra Harmady, MD , FAAP has been a board certified private practice pediatrician since 2001.

She has worked in Middletown providing care for children from birth onward. She works on the Cleft Palate Team at Monmouth Medical Center. She has volunteered at Parker Family Health Center since 2002 which started after she met another Parker volunteer while on her first of many mission trips with Hospital De La Familia in Nuevo Progreso Guatemala. She has also volunteered in the Dominican Republic with Healing the Children and more recently in Migori Kenya with Kenya Relief. 

Sandy Hook Foundation

Kathleen grew up on the south shore of Massachusetts and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Art from Roanoke College in Southwest Virginia. She found her passion working with non-profits through interning and then hired to work as the Special Events and Volunteer Coordinator for the Roanoke Valley SPCA immediately following her college graduation.

Since moving to New Jersey in 2019, Kathleen has worked as a General Manager for the Rumson Wine & Spirits Shop and has taken a wide range of courses to learn about fine wines and tequila, and is working her way through qualifications offered by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

In her free time, she has found a passion in spending a lot of time at Sandy Hook, bringing her dogs to walk on the beaches, running the beautiful scenic trails, and leisurely biking on the Multi Use Path in order to see the abundant wildlife. Kathleen founded the Sandy Hook Young Professionals (SHYP) group, a subsidiary of the Sandy Hook Foundation, in the fall of 2023, and successfully recruits and engages young professionals on an ongoing basis. SHYP has completed their first full year, hosting numerous exciting fundraisers, the most recent being a Santa Con Beach Clean Up & Bar Crawl in Highlands. Kathleen and the SHYP Committee are looking forward to even more success in the future to support the national park in our backyard, Sandy Hook.

We Are Loved A NJ Nonprofit

Caroline’s journey with We Are Loved began with a conversation that sparked a lifelong commitment. After moving to Monmouth County to be closer to her family, she met Phyllis DiNardi, founder of We Are Loved, and was immediately inspired by her mission. Having fostered 49 children, Phyllis saw firsthand the challenges they faced and the gaps in support that existed. Her deep understanding of their needs led her to establish We Are Loved, a nonprofit dedicated to providing foster youth with comfort, stability, and a sense of belonging. Moved by Phyllis’ passion and the impact of her work, Caroline knew she wanted to be part of something that could truly make a difference in the lives of foster children.

Caroline has been a driving force behind its growth, playing an instrumental role in shaping and expanding We Are Loved’s essential programs. From helping to assemble the very first Holiday Boxes to now leading as the Inventory & Donations Coordinator, Caroline ensures that every donated item finds its way into the hands of a child who needs it most. Under her careful organization, the Holiday Boxes, Birthday Boxes, Love Bags, and Comfort Bags have reached record-high numbers, serving over 1,500 families in 2024 alone.

Beyond managing inventory, Caroline leads weekly volunteer efforts, rallying community members to help assemble and distribute these heartfelt gifts. She has not only contributed countless hours but has also personally donated supplies to ensure no child is left out. Her dedication goes beyond logistics—every item she organizes is packed with love, intended to bring comfort, joy, and a sense of belonging to a child in need.

For Caroline, volunteering is more than just a commitment—it is a deeply personal and fulfilling way to bring smiles to children’s faces. She envisions the joy each child feels when receiving a carefully curated gift, and that thought fuels her unwavering dedication. Through her kindness, leadership, and tireless efforts, Caroline has made We Are Loved stronger and has touched the lives of countless children and families.

Tonight, we recognize and celebrate Caroline not only for her incredible contributions but for the heart and soul she brings to our mission. We Are Loved is truly better because of her.

Family & Children’s Service (FCS)

Audena “Dena” Walter Reger is a former Board Chair and Board Member of FCS. She has remained a part of the agency for over 15 years because she believes in the FCS mission and the incredible work that the dedicated FCS employees perform each and every day for our most vulnerable neighbors. She recently chaired FCS’s first Pickleball Party fundraiser and had a blast with the group of fantastic volunteers who made up the committee. Dena is a retired attorney who has a history of community service that includes serving on the Shrewsbury Borough Land Use Board and in leadership roles with the Junior League of Monmouth County, PFLAG, Make It Better for Youth, the LGBT Parish Ministry at Precious Blood in Monmouth Beach and the Georgetown University Alumni Admissions Program. She also volunteered at Fort Dix assisting Afghan refugees after the 2021 Kabul airlift. 

Dena grew up in Little Silver and graduated from Red Bank Regional, Georgetown University and Seton Hall Law. After law school, Dena was a judicial clerk for the Honorable Daniel J. O’Hern and the Honorable James R. Zazzali. Until her retirement, Dena was an associate with the law firm of Jahos, Broege & Shaheen. She is married to Jeff and is blessed with her two sons, JD and Will, her daughter-in-law, Reema Ghazi, and the best granddaughter in the world, Sophie.

JBJ Soul Kitchen

Leslie has lived in Monmouth County for 4 years with her husband, Andrew. She has two daughters. She has enjoyed volunteering over the last 30 years in a variety of capacities; from running an animal rescue and therapeutic horseback riding program to working at Lunch Break, Clean Ocean Action and JBJ Soul Kitchen.  Leslie loves spending time with her family, traveling and being outdoors.

Monmouth Arts

Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Mil came to the United States at an early age. During high school she attended the Art Students League in NYC. Returning to Amsterdam, Mil apprenticed with the artist Jos Rovers, studying painting and also attended classes at the Rijks Academy in Amsterdam.

After spending the summer of ’73 in Ein Hod, an artist village in Israel, she worked as a ceramic painter for Lapid Ceramic Studios in Jaffa, Israel, where she became involved in her ongoing study of ceramics.

In New Jersey, Mil has taught Ceramics at Thompson Park, Brookdale County College, Ceramics and Art History classes at Monmouth University, and at Ocean County College.

Currently she is teaching Painting, Drawing and Ceramics in her private studio in Colts Neck, New Jersey as well as Ceramics at Brookdale County College in Lincroft.

Mil engages artists and students in creating pottery bowls with a project called Empty Bowls. This is an ongoing collaboration with Monmouth Arts, the JBJ Soul Kitchen, Holiday Express, 180 Turning Lives Around, and the local community. The pottery bowls to help those with food insecurities.

LADACIN Network

Margaret Winkelman is a Director in the Employee Benefits Division of Willis Towers Watson. Her primary role is to act as the ongoing liaison between clients and insurance carriers. Margaret spends a great deal of time with clients discussing program strategy as well as Compliance & Legislative changes. Margaret began her tenure at WTW in 2001 and her specialty includes large employer self-funded health plans.

Margaret enjoys performing volunteer work and is a Treasurer of a non-profit board and local genealogy association. Margaret also performs a great deal of volunteer with a local non-profit that provides services for infants to adults with disabilities. Margaret is a mother of three children and resides in New Jersey.

Margaret’s higher education focuses on Business Management from Ocean County College and University of Phoenix. She also holds Life & Health licenses in over 20 States with New Jersey as her primary Producer License.

180 Turning Lives Around

Christina Zuk is a results-driven, well-connected, and highly respected government affairs professional with expertise in regulatory and legislative policy, politics, and issue advocacy. With more than two decades of experience serving in leadership roles in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Ms. Zuk provides strategic guidance and government affairs services to a wide range of clients across numerous industries.

Prior to joining Princeton Public Affairs Group in 2015, Ms. Zuk served as the Director of Legislative and Political Affairs for JNESO, a labor union representing more than 5,000 health care workers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As the organization’s chief lobbyist, Ms. Zuk built coalitions among stakeholders, developed advocacy strategies, and led the lobbying, legislative, and advocacy efforts on behalf of members in both states.

Ms. Zuk previously worked in the New Jersey State Senate, serving as Chief of Staff to the Budget & Appropriations Committee Chair and later to the Senate Majority Leader where she began to hone her policy and political skills. She later served as the Political Director on the 2013 Democratic statewide gubernatorial campaign. Prior to that, Ms. Zuk worked in a number of government and campaign roles at the county and local levels across New Jersey.

Currently, Ms. Zuk serves as the President of the Board of Trustees for 180 Turning Lives Around, a nonprofit organization serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Monmouth County as well as on the Board of PAM’s List, an organization supporting women running for office in New Jersey.

Ms. Zuk served as a member of the Budget Committee on Governor Murphy’s 2017 Transition Team, and as the Co-Chair of the 2018 Transition Team for Long Branch Mayor John Pallone. She served as a member of the Long Branch Planning Board from 2018-2023 and as Executive Vice President of the New Jersey Young Democrats from 2015-2019.

Christina received her undergraduate degree from Rutgers University with a double major in Planning & Public Policy and Political Science, was an Eagleton Undergraduate Associate at the Eagleton Institute for Politics, and a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. Ms. Zuk also holds a Master of Public Affairs and Politics from Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.

Ms. Zuk is regularly recognized as an influential operative in New Jersey business and politics, including on “ROI Influencers: Women in Business” list, InsiderNJ’s “Power List”, “30 Under 30” list, “100 Insider Policymakers”, “100 Millennials List”, and Senator Loretta Weinberg’s “Women’s Power List”. She was recognized by EmergeNJ at their “Build the Bench” reception, honoring women who have helped build the bench for Democratic women running for office, and by the Reed Autism Foundation with their “Changemaker Award.”

Born and raised in Bayonne, NJ, Ms. Zuk now resides in Long Branch, NJ with her husband, daughter and toy poodle.