“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”~ (Shirley Chisolm)

Community service has always played a very important role in my life. When I was very young, my family was often the recipient of other people's good deeds. As we grew older and my mother got back on her feet, she felt a strong desire to give back to the community that had helped her when she needed it. So between working two jobs and caring for three children, she managed to find the time to volunteer at our schools, help out at local charity events and even answer phones at telethons. Often, she brought us with her, and I grew up learning the importance of community service and the impact just one person can make.

Today, we find ourselves overworked and overscheduled, but the need for community volunteers is more important now than it has ever been. Social problems we have today aren't simply prevented or solved with private funding or government programs, they require the human connection established by volunteers. As Mrs. New Jersey America, I would like to encourage people all over the state to find a way to help. Every one has special talents, whether it is reading to children, helping the elderly, planting flowers in a community garden, or caring for homeless animals.

As a mother, I have found that children especially enjoy helping other people. In visiting schools, I presented a community problem that needed to be solved. For example: 'Meals on Wheels' recipients are always grateful for the food, but sometimes are lonely. Kids can make special tray favors that are given to the recipients to let them know someone is thinking about them. Then we would work together on our 'solution' (designing & making the tray favors).

  Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” The community service projects that I have been and continue to be involved in, not only help others, but make me feel great as well. It is my desire for all the people in New Jersey to experience this great feeling.

- Christy Elders Tighe

L to R- Seated - Beth O'Driscoll (district manager) Christy, Geralyn Watson (State Director of the Mrs. New Jersey America Pageant), and the beautiful ladies of Jafra!

Christy leading the warm-up exercises before the walk for LUPUS.