Community Applauds Dedication of Ambulance Volunteers
• James and Joanne Paulison Receive Dr. Virginius D. Mattia Award
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown (John Montalvo) |
James and Joanne Paulson received several awards including a framed copy of a joint resolution signed by the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly. Presentation of the state award was made by Assemblyman Fred Scalera (right) of Nutley.
May 8, 2010 – There were several standing ovations as the Nutley community thanked James and Joanne Paulson for their volunteer work contributed over a half-century. The applause came as a dozen speakers addressed the 38th annual Dr. Virginius D. Mattia Community Service Award held at Nanina's in the Park Thursday evening.
Among the featured speakers were Patricia Hughes, director of Corporate Relations at Roche, Harry (Skip) Gould, recipient of the 1997 Mattia Award, the Rev. Msgr. David Hubba of St. Mary's Church, Mark Boffa, grandson of Dr. Mattia, the Rev. Jill C. Fenske, pastor of the Franklin Reformed Church, and Anthony I. Iannarone, retired counsel at Roche and vice president of the Mattia Committee's Board of Trustees.
Although Mr. and Mrs. Paulson are involved in several community organizations, including many at St. Mary's Parish, the couple is best known for their years of service with the rescue squad. The ambulance service responds to approximately 14 daily calls, "and sometimes as many as 20," says Jim. That works out to about 3,000 emergency responses a year.
Although once an all-volunteer squad, the ambulance service now utilizes a few paid personnel to fill in the daytime gaps. Nutley additionally has a reciprocal response agreement with neighboring Belleville, Clifton and Lyndhurst.
Thursday's ceremonies also honored Nutley High School senior Steven Filippi with the Dr. Virginius D. Mattia Scholarship, also awarded for volunteer community service. An honors student, Filippi has spent his summers taking care of persons crippled by cerebral palsy. During the school year, he volunteers with the Nutley Police Dept.'s Sea Scouts, shovels snow for seniors, is a volunteer worker for senior citizen luncheons and assists the handicapped at St. Ann's Basilica.
The formal presentation of the award to Joanne and James Paulson Thursday night was made by last year's recipient, Walter Smith. Mattia Committee president Philip White presided over the formal ceremonies.
