Social worker, Holiday Fund pioneer Bill Watson, 79
[Adapted from an article by Megan DeMarco in the Star-Ledger]

Every December, Bill Watson's family nar­rowed potential gifts to three categories: his beloved Giants, something celebrating his Irish heritage or a book — any book at all.

They were his three loves, but his time to en­joy them was limited — even in retirement, the longtime social worker spent his days seeing that countless people across New Jersey had a holiday at all.

"He just felt that no child should not have the joy of opening a present at Christmas," said his daughter, Suzanne Wheatley. "Every year without fail he worked toward that."

After a life dedicated to others, Watson died of cancer on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at age 79. Watson lived in Ocean Township with his wife of 49 years, Barbara, and is survived by three daughters and three sons-in-law, who he considered his own sons. He had seven grand­children, ranging in age from 3 to 18.

Over the course of his 48-year career, he worked at Catholic Community Services and the New Jersey Board of Child Welfare, and became the first president of the New Jersey chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

He served as president, treasurer and chief financial officer of the Greater Newark Holiday Fund, a fundraising initiative that raises money for charities during the holiday season. Despite being ill this year, Watson still organized the case studies as part of a partnership with The Star-Ledger that he helped foster in 1972.

"The length of time that the Holiday Fund has served the public is due in no small part to the dedication that Bill Watson brought to this orga­nization," said Frank Ferruggia, president of the Holiday Fund. "Bill was one of those old-school people who understood what commitment was all about. His contribution to the organization is incalculable."

John Lasser, who worked with Watson at the Fund for decades, called his friend "one of the real stalwarts in social agency work."

"Bill came out of the old-school people who are really devoted to the needy in the Newark area," said Lasser. "He was a good friend and certainly a selfless worker."

Watson grew up in an Irish neighborhood in Harrison at the tail end of the Great Depres­sion, an experience that helped mold him into a kind-spirited and generous person who worked on behalf of those less fortunate than himself.  "He was just dedicated to service his whole life," said daughter Noelle Hallahan.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The Greater Newark Holiday Fund in honor of William B. Watson.

Greater Newark Holiday Fund Raises $311,789
for Local Service Agencies in 2010 Campaign
Third Distribution of Donations Scheduled for This Week;
Fund Accepting Donations for 2011 Starting Tomorrow

NEWARK, NJ (January 31, 2011) — The 2010 Campaign of the Greater Newark Holiday Fund (GNHF; www.holidayfund.org), which ends today, has raised a total of $311,789.47 to help the needy in Essex, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, and Bergen counties. Its third and final distribution of money from this campaign to 12 local social service agencies that work with people in need will take place later this week.

Officials of the 73-year-old charity stress that in spite of its name, the Fund continues to accept donations via check, credit card, or PayPal through its web site or by phone after the holiday campaign closes.
“Those who were not able to give during the campaign or who want to continue to help can donate throughout the year,” said Frank Ferruggia, GNHF president and a partner at Newark-based law firm McCarter & English LLP. “Their donations will be acknowledged as part of our 2011 campaign.

“We’re very grateful that the generous people of northern New Jersey have contributed in support of our mission even in this difficult economic period. We also thank our 2010 campaign chair, Al Koeppe, CEO of the Newark Alliance, for his support. Their assistance helps neighbors who may be suffering homelessness, abuse, poverty, or other difficulties. This good work continues throughout the year.”

Greater Newark Holiday Fund Distributes $100K to Local Service Agencies

2010 Campaign Goal: $400,000 to Help North Jersey’s Neediest

NEWARK, NJ (December 16, 2010) — The Greater Newark Holiday Fund (GNHF; www.holidayfund.org) distributed $100,000 this week to twelve social service agencies who help needy individuals and families in northern New Jersey. The 2010 GNHF campaign, which runs through January, seeks to raise a total of $400,000.
Funds collected by GNHF help relieve the suffering of the homeless and destitute, children and the elderly, families and individuals throughout Essex, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, and Bergen counties. Agencies use the money to address pressing needs in their communities.

“Thanks to the Greater Newark Holiday Fund, we can put smiles on the faces of countless children,” said Richard Mingoia, President/CEO of Youth Consultation Service in Hackensack, one of the twelve agencies supported by the Fund. “Their support helps ensure that every child in a YCS program - nearly 2,000 children - gets a gift to open for Christmas. Without the outpouring of support from the community for the Greater Newark Holiday Fund, we simply would not be able to say that. We are truly grateful.”

Since 1937, according to Frank Ferruggia, GNHF president and a partner at Newark-based law firm McCarter & English LLP, the Fund has been assisting individuals and families who are in need of help during the holidays, when resources are at their scarcest. “These donations make the holidays brighter for people who might otherwise do without some of the basics of life,” said Ferruggia. “We thank the people of New Jersey for their wonderful generosity and support.”
Agencies supported by the Greater Newark Holiday Fund are Catholic Charities/Catholic Community Fund (East Orange); Children’s Aid & Family Services Inc. (Paramus); Chrill Care (Montclair); Family Connections Inc. (Orange); Family Service League (Montclair); Family Service Bureau of Newark (Newark); Jewish Family Service of Metro West (Florham Park); Newark Day Center (Newark); Nutley Family Service Bureau (Nutley); Salvation Army Services (Newark); Urban League of Essex County (Newark); and Youth Consultation Service (Hackensack).

Donations may be made by calling 1-866-292-HOPE (4673) or by clicking the Donate Now button on the GNHF website, www.holidayfund.org.

Greater Newark Holiday Fund Launches 2010 Campaign
$18,987 Already Donated to Help North Jersey’s Neediest

NEWARK, NJ (November 17, 2010) — The Greater Newark Holiday Fund (GNHF; www.holidayfund.org) officially kicks off its 2010 campaign this week. The Fund, which collects money to help needy individuals and families in six counties of northern New Jersey, has already received $18,987 in donations toward its $400,000 goal.
Founded in 1937, GNHF channels contributions through 12 social service agencies to assist individuals and families in crisis, including children, the elderly, the homeless, and the destitute. The funds are used to help people in Essex, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, and Bergen counties during the holiday season.
“Last year we exceeded our goal despite the economy,” said Frank Ferruggia, GNHF President and a partner at Newark law firm McCarter & English LLP. “This year we want to do even more. We’re asking that people give generously to help make the holidays happier for our less fortunate neighbors.”
Alfred C. Koeppe, Chairman and CEO of the Newark Alliance, is Chair of the 2010 GNHF campaign, which runs through January 16, 2011. More information on the Fund and its goals is available at www.holidayfund.org. Visitors may donate on line or by calling 1-866-292-HOPE (4673). There is also a GNHF Facebook page (search for Greater Newark Holiday Fund).

There’s exciting news to share about the activities and progress of this year’s Greater Newark Holiday Fund. You can read all about it below.

To learn how your donations to the Greater Newark Holiday Fund have improved the lives and outlook of real people in Essex, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, and Bergen counties, click on Lives We’ve Touched in the menu bar above.

Greater Newark Holiday Fund Exceeds Goal,Wins Google Advertising Grant etc

Alfred C. Koeppe, Newark Alliance President and CEO,
Will Chair 2010 Greater Newark Holiday Fund Campaign

NEWARK, NJ (October 27, 2010) — Alfred C. Koeppe, President and CEO of the Newark Alliance (www.newark-alliance.org), will serve as Chair of the 2010 campaign of the Greater Newark Holiday Fund (GNHF; www.holidayfund.org).
Koeppe was educated at Rutgers-Newark and Seton Hall Universities. His career centered on the city, where he was president and CEO of Bell Atlantic-New Jersey and president and COO of PSE&G. Now a Manasquan resident, he continues to be involved in Newark. He is also chairman of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
For 73 years the Holiday Fund has raised money during the winter holidays to help local agencies meet the needs of less fortunate residents of Essex, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, and Bergen counties. The people these organizations serve include abused and neglected children, the homeless, people in poverty and the elderly.
“We are excited to have a business leader of Al Koeppe’s stature as this year’s Chair,” said Frank Ferruggia, GNHF president and a partner at Newark-based law firm McCarter & English LLP.  “His experience in working with New Jersey’s government and corporations, and his demonstrated commitment to helping the region’s less fortunate make him a perfect spokesperson for our cause.
“He continues the tradition of local business leaders working to help the GNHF make the holidays brighter for people and families in crisis.”
Koeppe said, "I’m honored to be asked to help out. It’s important to have societal safety nets during the holiday.
"One of the reasons the Holiday Fund has endured 70 plus years is the people in and around Newark, from generation to generation, have a sense of community. In this challenging economic environment, it’s more important than ever to share with families and children in need. I look forward to making this the Fund’s best year ever to help give the less fortunate in our six counties a more joyful holiday season.”
The public 2010 GNHF 2009 campaign will start on November 14, but the Fund is accepting donations now and throughout the year. More information is available at www.holidayfund.org.

Click here to read more on Alfred C. Koeppe

Greater Newark Holiday Fund Exceeds Goal,
Wins Google Advertising Grant
Fund Raises $410,684; Google Awards Free Online Ads

NEWARK, NJ (January 31, 2010) — The 2009 Greater Newark Holiday Fund (GNHF; www.holidayfund.org) has raised $410,684 to help the needy in six northern New Jersey counties, beating its target by over $10,000 and surpassing last year’s donation total by over $60,000. In addition, the fund has just been awarded a Google Grant that will allow it to place up to $10,000 worth of online ads per month free of charge.

According to GNHF president Frank Ferruggia, a partner at Newark law firm McCarter & English LLP, the success of the 2009 campaign, which ends today, is a tribute to the generosity of New Jerseyans. “Even in these tough times, our donors reached out to help neighbors in trouble,” he said. “This is the most we’ve ever raised, and we’re grateful to all who contributed.”

John Strangfeld, CEO of Prudential Financial [NYSE:PRU], commented, “As chair of the 2009 Greater Newark Holiday Fund, I'm delighted that this year's campaign exceeded its goal. It is moving to see that, even though these are challenging economic times, the generous people of New Jersey are so willing to help others.”

Google Selects Fund for Award

GNHF was one of the few charities chosen to receive a grant from Google, the search engine giant. When people use Google to find information by typing in a search term or “keyword” that GNHF has reserved they will see an ad from the fund along withtheir search results.

Advertisers pay Google when people click on ads and go to their web sites, but under terms of the grant GNHF will get up to $10,000 worth of such clicks free per month. This provides a huge margin of safety over the $300 in charges charities typically generate in that time span.

Money collected by GNHF is distributed during the holiday season to 12 social service agencies to help children, the elderly, the homeless, and the destitute in Essex, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, and Bergen counties.

Information on the Fund and its goals is available at www.holidayfund.org. Visitors may donate on line or by calling 1-866-292-HOPE (4673). There is also a GNHF Facebook page (search for Greater Newark Holiday Fund).

$10,000 Challenge Grant Will Match New or
Increased Gifts to Greater Newark Holiday Fund

Fund Nearing $400,000 Goal; Money Goes to North Jersey Needy

NEWARK, NJ (January 5, 2010) — An anonymous supporter has offered a challenge grant to help the Greater Newark Holiday Fund (GNHF; www.holidayfund.org) reach its 2009 goal of raising $400,000 to help the needy in northern New Jersey.
The challenge grant will match contributions from donors who did not give to the GNHF last year, as well as increases in gifts from people who did give in 2008, up to a total of $10,000.
“Our generous donor wants to encourage others to put this year’s fund over the top,” said GNHF president Frank Ferruggia. “We’re grateful for their support and urge everyone to help us meet their challenge.”
GNHF has raised $323,176 in the current campaign, which ends on January 31. The money is distributed during the holiday season to 12 social service agencies to help children, the elderly, the homeless, and the destitute in Essex, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, and Bergen counties.
Information on the Fund and its goals is available at www.holidayfund.org. Visitors may donate on line or by calling 1-866-292-HOPE (4673). There is also a GNHF Facebook page (search for Greater Newark Holiday Fund).

Greater Newark Holiday Fund Reaches $161,685

Donations Running Ahead of 2008; Seeking $400,000
to Help North Jersey’s Neediest

NEWARK, NJ (December 16, 2009) — Donations to the 2009 Greater Newark Holiday Fund (GNHF; www.holidayfund.org) are running ahead of 2008 at $161,685. Every year since 1937 the GNHF has collected funds to brighten the holidays for needy individuals and families in Northern New Jersey.
“This heartwarming support is a tribute to the generosity of New Jerseyans,” said Frank Ferruggia, GNHF President and a partner in Newark’s McCarter and English law firm. “Even in these difficult economic times individuals, corporations, and foundations alike are contributing to our goal of raising $400,000 to help the less fortunate.”
 GNHF, founded in 1937, distributes donations among 12 social service agencies in six northern New Jersey counties during the holiday season, providing a much-needed boost to their efforts to help people and families in crisis. The funds help children, the elderly, the homeless, and the destitute in Essex, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, and Bergen counties.
John R. Strangfeld, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. [NYSE:PRU], is Chair of the 2009 campaign.

John R. Strangfeld, Prudential Chairman and CEO,
Will Chair Greater Newark Holiday Fund 2009 Campaign

NEWARK, NJ (September 29, 2009) — John Strangfeld, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. [NYSE:PRU], will serve as Chair of the 2009 campaign of the Greater Newark Holiday Fund (GNHF; www.holidayfund.org).
            For the past 72 years the Holiday Fund has raised money during the winter holidays to help local agencies meet the needs of less fortunate residents of Essex, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, and Bergen counties. The people these organizations serve include abused and neglected children, the homeless, people in poverty and the elderly.
The announcement that Strangfeld will be Chair of the 2009 GNHF campaign was made at a special kickoff breakfast at the Prudential Center in Newark.  “We are excited to have a business leader of John Strangfeld’s stature as this year’s Chair,” said Frank Ferruggia, GNHF president and a partner at Newark-based law firm McCarter & English LLP.  “We want this to be our most successful year ever, and Mr. Strangfeld’s presence gives us an enormous advantage in reaching our goals.  He continues the tradition of the local business community pitching in to help the GNHF make the holidays brighter for people and families in crisis.”
Strangfeld said that Prudential is proud of its long tradition of improving communities by investing the company’s resources and expertise, as well as the volunteer skills of its employees, in initiatives designed to meet the needs of individuals and families in communities throughout New Jersey, the United States and around the world.
 “This is a challenging economic environment for all of us. But at times like this, it is even more important that we share with people in need,” said Strangfeld.  “Please do all you can to support the Greater Newark Holiday Fund in its effort to make the holidays more joyful for the children and families who need our help.”
GNHF also said that its 2009 campaign will start on November 15 with an announcement in the Newark Star-Ledger newspaper, the fund’s partner. The kickoff breakfast was sponsored by GNHF supporters the New Jersey Devils and Enterprise Car Rental.