Marjory Bernhard,
A Hero In Our Midst

Volunteer organizations in Trenton measure time in PM and SM—pre-Marj and since Marj.

For the past sixty-four years, Marjory Bernhard, 70, has been active in volunteer organizations that serve the children, underprivileged, and elderly of the Trenton area. She joined Camp Fire USA at age six, and, since that time, she has become a longstanding board member and one of the rare leaders who has mentored a group from preschool until college.

"There has not been a time 'SM' that Marj has not been with us to serve," said Barbara Van Horn, executive director of Camp Fire USA New Jersey Council. "She has chaired fund raising events, and she is also the one to go to if you need food. Or shelter. Or a golf shirt. Or someone to be a clown. Or someone to sell ads, sponsorships, and raffle tickets."

Marj is active in other organizations like United Way and the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program of Mercer County. When she sees a need in her community that an existing organization cannot fill, she fills it herself. She has lead initiatives to collect tents and blankets for earthquake victims in Pakistan, and she has helped several youth groups institute education programs for the prevention of domestic violence. She even adopted a family of eight Indonesian children whom she had welcomed into her home after the death of their father.

"Putting it that way makes it sound like we were doing something wonderful," said Bernard. "But they needed a place to stay. And they were just staying in our house. And adopting them seemed like a good thing to do."

Volunteer organizations, elderly neighbors, school children, and refugees overseas have all benefited from Bernhard's devoted service.

"But I'm not special," insisted Bernhard. "I am almost a little bit embarrassed. I just don't feel that I have done anything very special."

But Bernhard believes in thanking and honoring those who have given of themselves to improve the lives of others. Recently, she and several other volunteers treated a group of elderly neighbors to a luncheon cruise. "These women can't do things like this unless we help them. And, when I was young, they did things for people. So I guess they were role models in my lifetime… And it's important to say thank you because it makes the person understand that you appreciate what they've done. And then they're more inclined to do it again."

To thank Bernhard, please send cards to:

Marjory Bernhard
Camp Fire USA New Jersey Council
535 East Franklin Street
Trenton, NJ 08610