‘Gala of Life’ honorees embody spirit of Mercer Street Friends’ Robert Appelbaum
A Mercer Street Friends website notes that Quaker involvement in community service in the capital city can be traced to 1684 when Quaker businessman Mahlon Stacy contributed corn from his mill in what is now the “Mill Hill” area of Trenton to help organize the first local charity, which assisted Friends who had met with misfortune.
Three-hundred-thirtyfive years later, Mercer Street Friends, which formed in 1958 by Quaker volunteers, including Bob Appelbaum of Newtown (Pa.), continues a mission to nourish minds and bodies; empowering families and communities.
Appelbaum played a major role in formation of this Quaker-affiliated, nonsectarian 501 (c) (3) organization that honors the equality of all people and strives for a just, prosperous and peaceful society for all. And the big ticket item? Poverty. MSF responds to the needs of the community to build alliances that will have the most meaningful impact in addressing issues of poverty, according to the organization’s website.
MSF attempts to nurture self-worth and independence, offers resources for children, families and communities to overcome poverty and its lasting effects. Founders were concerned about inadequate housing, juvenile delinquency, racial antagonism, poor health as well as poor health and crime in the decaying urban community.
Sixty years after Appelbaum and volunteers supported the startup, Trenton continues to face poverty and all residues associated with being poor. Just imagine where this city might be without Mercer Street Friends and other organizations that take on myriad issues to hold up, uplift and help.
So, if a person receives the Robert M. Appelbaum Service Award, being introduced on Oct. 3 during the Mercer Street Friends annual gala, they must have delivered special gifts toward the greater good of not only the non-profit but on behalf of all people impacted by the numerous outreaches offered by the city-based organization.
The Robert M. Appelbaum Service Award will be presented to Robert E. Anderson, and Bill and Linda Heinemann for their years of dedicated service and support of Mercer Street Friends.
“Bob Appelbaum was one of the Quakers who formed the committee, which began Mercer Street Friends. For this reason this award is the highest honor which Mercer Street Friend bestows on a deserving group and individual,” says Armstead Johnson, Executive Director for Mercer Street Friends.
The Gala will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Stone Terrace by John Henry’s located at 2275 Kuser Road, Hamilton, N.J. This year’s theme “The Gala of Life” will be based on the board game “The Game of Life.”
“The theme is a perfect match with life experiences both good and challenges that each one of us encounters,” Bianca Allen, Mercer Street Friends Director of Human Resources explains. “It also focuses on all the different daily challenges faced by the participants that Mercer Street Friends addresses through our Impact Centers, from Cradle to Career.”
Along with the cocktail hour and buffet dinner, guests will be entertained by magicians and have the opportunity to play table games, visit the candid photo booth or bid on items in a gift auction.
For over six decades, Mercer Street Friends has addressed the cyclical issue of hunger and poverty through its’ multi-faceted Impact Centers; Early Childhood Education, Community Schools, Career and Workforce Development, Parent and Family Empowerment, and a Food Bank which services Mercer County.
Mercer Street Friends through its mission to Nourish Bodies and Minds, Empowering Families and Communities reaches over 60,000 individuals and families throughout Mercer County. Through programs and services designed to break the cycle of poverty the agency addresses chronic absenteeism and bullying, trauma and abuse, early and adult education, and finally those who are food insecure.
Tickets are $125.00 and can be purchased by visiting the website www.mercerstreetfriends.org.
Sponsorships and Ads can also be purchased by contacting Brian Peterson, Manager of Community and Donor Relations at bpeterson@mercerstreetfriends.org.
A Mercer Street Friends press release contributed to this article.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @ LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.