LSMNJ’s Beth Gebhart Wins LeadingAge NJDE Community Service Award

LSMNJ is proud to celebrate an outstanding achievement for Beth Gebhart, Director of Community Relations and Volunteers. Beth was recognized by LeadingAge NJ/DE and won the award for Providing Excellence in Community Service. 

Beth Gebhart is the heart and soul of our organization, and her commitment to community service is extraordinary. A colleague noted, “Many people around the state know and trust LSMNJ because of Beth. They donate their time and money because of Beth, and they are inspired to work alongside Beth because of her spirit and determination.”

In her role as LSMNJ’s Director of Community Relations & Volunteers, Beth wears many hats—and wears them all very well. She presents education programs to churches and civic groups; organizes charity efforts, events, and donation drives; and recruits, onboards, and coordinates hospice volunteers.

An example of her work in hospice includes the renowned Memory Bear program. Beth organizes a team of seamstresses that provide patients’ loved ones with a stuffed bear created from the patient’s personal items, such as blankets, shirts, ties, or jackets. The resulting keepsake serves as a visual and tangible memento that can be cherished for years to come.

“Beth is truly outstanding in all she does, and always performs with an open heart” shared another colleague. “When Beth sees an opportunity to better serve our participants, she strives to learn more. She is forever eager to take on tasks outside her job’s scope if it will help people in need.”

Beth is the organization’s bridge to the church community, often working weekends to represent LSMNJ, and helping spread the word about what the organization does and how it helps those in need. Through her work with the churches and related groups, she organizes several donation programs throughout the year to help disadvantaged New Jersey residents, including:

· Annual back-to-school backpack drive
· Christmas gifts for children, teens, and mothers of infants
· Grocery gift cards for senior citizens
· Easter baskets for children

These programs help provide joy, happiness, and security to those in need, and Beth truly goes above and beyond to make sure they are successful. She not only works to secure donations and identify recipients, but physically travels the state, filling her car, and delivering donations into peoples’ hands. Whether it’s a sturdy backpack full of school supplies for the first day of school, or an Easter basket for someone who may have never received one before, it’s Beth who ensures those people get exactly what is needed (along with a smile, a joke, and a blessing).