Friday, June 15, 2012
Part three of a three-part series spotlighting Craig Smitheman and the Department for Persons With Disabilities.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Sue Toth
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Friday, June 15, 2012
Craig Smitheman, a current resident of Columbus House at the Department for Persons With Disabilities (DPD), is one of four children born to his parents Donald and Doris. All four were born with handicaps. And all four either currently live or have lived at one of the homes of the DPD. Smitheman and his family lived in Union County, when he was young. He became an Eagle Scout in Union County. “For his project, Craig went to group homes in the area and taught the residents about fire safety,” his father Don said. “He helped them put together a fire escape plan, and demonstrated stop, drop and roll.” This is part three of a three-part series spotlighting Craig Smitheman and the Department for Persons With Disabilities. Part One discussed …
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Craig Smitheman of the DPD works hard for the money.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Sue Toth
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Thursday, June 14, 2012
Just like many of us, Craig Smitheman gets up every weekday and goes to work. He catches a ride in a van designed for his wheelchair, heads from his home in Columbus House at the Department for Persons With Disabilities (DPD) to the Gruenert Center in Lake Hopatcong to put in a day’s work. At the Gruenert Center, Smitheman spends the morning working on a variety of tasks. They can include collating packets of paper, stuffing and stamping envelopes or shredding paper. “My work is good,” Smitheman said. “I like working with the papers and collating them.” This is part two of a three-part series spotlighting Craig Smitheman and the DPD. On Wednesday we introduced Craig and the DPD. On Friday, we’ll look at Craig’s background and how he …
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The first of a three-part series highlighting Craig Smitheman, a resident of the Department for Persons With Disabilities.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Sue Toth
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Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Craig Smitheman has been described as a ham, and a kind and gentle person with a beautiful smile. He’s a 56-year-old Jefferson resident, living at Columbus House, one of the homes of the Department for Persons With Disabilities (DPD). According to its web site, the DPD “provides residential, vocational, spiritual, and social services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.” And according to those who have known him the longest, Craig Smitheman is the poster child for the DPD. “He’s such a wonderful guy,” said Cheryl Slate, the director of Columbus, Smitheman’s home. “He has an amazing sense of humor, he’s happy-go-lucky and he loves to joke around and tease people. He’s always fun to be around.” This …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Money presented Tuesday.
Money exchanged hands in Jefferson on Tuesday. While that may not sound a bit shady, it was not only legal, but the product of work well done. Students from two classes at Jefferson Township High School met with representatives of the Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD) to present money they’d earned from two fundraisers. The DECA (Distributive Education Club of America) and FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) students, along with restaurant owners from town, presented the DPD with funds raised from a carnival held earlier this spring at the high school, and from a Restaurant Takeover Night. On that night, diners at Sonny’s on the Lake, Gatwyns II, Pinto’s Pizza and Portofino were able to give a portion of their final …
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Department for Persons With Disabilities celebrates the season.
- HOLIDAY GUIDE
- Sue Toth
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Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD) held its annual Christmas party recently, marked by food, music and a visit from the man of the hour, Santa Claus. Clients, employees and guests enjoyed lunch and dancing. Patch was on hand to catch the action.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Department for Persons with Disabilities thanks organization for its work.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
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Thursday, November 10, 2011
A surprise October snowstorm couldn’t stop the Knights of Columbus from gathering at the Department for Persons with Disabilities’ (DPD) Wiegand Farm in Oak Ridge on Oct. 30. The Knights came from throughout the Diocese of Paterson to enjoy a buffet dinner around the indoor swimming pool, catered by Portofino Italian Family Restaurant. Representatives of the 50-plus Knights of Columbus councils were recognized for supporting the DPD throughout the past 46 years. Since the DPD’s inception the Knights of Columbus in the Paterson Diocese and throughout the state of New Jersey, have stood by the DPD and have helped the agency grow and flourish. Throughout this time, the Knights of Columbus have raised over $2,000,000 for the DPD through …
Deanne Cowan
12:56 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
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