Thanks to all of you for being here tonight.  Phil, Bob, Joyce, Bill and Father Joe, I appreciate your willingness to be a part of this event.  I am really honored to see how many people are here from the various groups I’ve been associated with throughout my career. I’m especially grateful that my brother Bill and his wife Ellenrose, my sister Karen and her husband John and my baby sister, Mary Lou could be here.  And its so nice to have an extra occasion during this holiday season to have most of my family together at a festive event - Penny, and three of my four children.  Kevin is in Beijing, China, and would be here had not his work taken him there.  He is, however, represented by his son, Michael, my best buddy, and Michael’s Mom, Tracy. Sorry you didn’t risk bringing Mary Grace along.  And David, thanks for driving your wife and my granddaughter, Luna, all the way down from New Hampshire.  Finally, its great to have my soon to be daughter-in-law Sara here celebrating with us.

 

     When I was informed by Bob Santare that I was selected for this honor, my first reaction was that they must have run out of people on the “A list” and were moving on to their “B list”.  I say this after reading the list of previous awardees.  I’m humbled at being counted in their number and I thank the board and staff of the Volunteer Center for selecting me for this honor.

 

     In recent years a couple of reporters interviewed me about my volunteer activity and one question always asked has to do with my motivation. I’m sure a psychiatrist would have a less than complimentary explanation.  My stock answer is that I must have a special “gene” that I’ve been blessed – or cursed – with.  So it is only right that I should give a lot of the credit to my good parents.

 

     The real answer, though, is complex.  It all starts and ends with people.  People who have inspired me throughout my life.  I’ve had some great teachers – both in the classroom and in the school of life.  Much of my career has been spent promoting “Lifelong Learning” – and I really practice what I preach in that category.  I’ll start with my hero – St. Francis of Assisi.  You’ve all learned that I spent 15 years as a Franciscan.  I still consider myself a Franciscan in spirit.  The motto of the Franciscan Order is a Latin phase coined by St. Francis: Fratrum, dum tempus habemus, operemur bonum: Brethren, while we have time, let us do good.  I’ve tried to make it my motto. Father Aidan also introduced me to the concept that “if you want to get something done, give it to a busy man.” (or woman).

 

      Much of my learning has really been “on the job training”.  When the second pastor of Holy Eucharist Church, Father Rich Milewski, asked me to head up the parish Stewardship Committee, I had to take a crash course in what stewardship was all about.  The concepts have served me well in my volunteer activity ever since. Volunteerism isn’t just donating money to good causes.  You can also contribute your time and your skills to make a difference. There are no excuses for not volunteering, so I’m always reminded of the 3-T’s of stewardship: you can give of your time, your talent or your treasure – or all three.        

 

     Probably my greatest volunteer experience was with the United Way of Burlington County for at least fifteen years.  I was surrounded by dedicated and committed busy professionals who recognized their responsibility to contribute to the quality of life in our county.  I had the opportunity to visit various charitable organizations and rubbed shoulders with extremely dedicated workers and volunteers.  I witnessed the good that volunteers could accomplish and I experienced first hand how really well-organized the United Way operation was.

 

     When I was asked to be County Historian I was elated.  My passion is history – but as a transplant to Burlington County, I felt I didn’t have the credentials that some of my predecessors in the post had.  So I had to revert to the “Lifelong Learning” mode again.  I sought out some of the best local history experts and continue to collaborate with them; I read everything I can about our history, and I travel all the back roads of Burlington County to explore and discover its historic and natural treasures. One of my greatest joys is sharing those discoveries with as many people as possible through articles, leaflets, lectures and tours.

 

     When I was about to retire from BCC in 1997 I received two calls.  One was from Jim Young, the Mayor of Vincentown, asking me to consider running for Township Committee.  I had run out of excuses and gave in.  I’m now about to begin my 11^th year in office.  The other call came from Martha Bark, asking me if I would consider being a member of the newly formed Smithville Conservancy Board.  I have been honored to be a part of this centerpiece of Burlington County History. 

 

     And the opportunities keep on coming – with the opening of the Jack Allen Early Country Living Museum in Southampton and the Roebling Main Gate Museum project.  Father Aidan’s advice keeps resounding in my head:  don’t rust out, Joe.  Wear out. 

 

     But you know, in order to do all this stuff, it helps to have been married to Florence Nightingale for 38 years. You have to know that Penny is the most selfless person on this earth.   She is always looking for ways to help other people.  If we are personally enjoying a trip, a concert, an event – she is thinking of how someone else might experience the same enjoyment.  The day after a great meal I go looking for leftovers, and they’ve all been given away!  Before we go anyplace, she asks if she can invite someone to share our excitement or experience with us.   The more I reflect on it, the more I wonder how Penny put up with me for these 38 years.  Back in 1984, when the kids were 8, 9, 12 and 14 years old respectively, she supported my desire to travel to 8 countries in 21 days – alone - to fulfill a lifetime dream – and that’s when the travel bug bit me.

 

     As the kids were growing up, although we shared a lot of the responsibilities, she bore the brunt as I went about teaching extra classes, traveling around the world and doing all kinds of volunteer work.  We are both very proud of our children – but the bulk of the credit goes to her.  If anyone deserves this award, its Penny.

 

     I’m really a very lucky individual.  When I wake up in the morning I don’t have to wonder what I’m going to do – the challenge is to sort out what I have to do first.  Is today the day to work as Alumni Director for the Lenape School District – and opportunity I cherish and enjoy; or do I work on the county’s tourism initiatives – another great retirement job.  I’m surrounded by opportunities!

 

     Let me conclude by saying something about travel and life.  I regularly quote St. Augustine of Hippo to promote and defend my passion for travel.  He said “The world is a great book, of which they who never stir from home read only one page.”  Mark Twain says it even better in his “Innocents Abroad”:  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.  Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”  And finally, I’ve made up two of my own quotes: “Fight terrorism by traveling” and “Travel while your legs still work”.  My life changed dramatically in 1984 when I took that first international tour at the age of 50.

 

     Thanks to my wife, my children, and to all of you for assisting me in my quest to wear out by doing all I can -- with what I have --  in the time I have -- in the place I am.