No one was more surprised than Rowan University sophomore Amanda McNally when she learned she would receive the New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award for Youth in Service for “Pieces of Light,” a grief-support project she first created as a high school junior.
“I really don’t do things to be recognized,” said McNally, who is active in Glassboro university’s Catholic Campus Ministry. “I do them because I enjoy helping.”
The Governor’s Award, which arrived in the mail in December, recognizes exceptional acts of public service, honoring recipients for their unique vision, dedication and inspiration to others. They are awarded annually on both the state and national levels.
McNally said she was inspired to create “Pieces of Light” by her volunteer work with Samaritan Hospice Services in Voorhees as well as her own family experience during the hospice care of a beloved relative. With Samaritan hospice close to her heart, she began looking for a way to support individuals and families and start important conversations about the end of life and grief.
First time out, the project resulted in 115 grief-support bags for distribution to those with loved ones in Samaritan’s inpatient centers. The bags, filled thanks to widespread community contributions and participation, contained granola bars, water, prayer cards, tissues and rosaries, she said. Also distributed: handcrafted clay hearts as unique gifts to help memorialize and honor a family’s loved ones who just passed away.
No sooner was the first round of bags distributed than families requested more, she noted. Today, her project has widespread support, the mission of which can be found at sites.google.com/view/projectpiecesoflight/home.
The Governor’s Award marks the second time McNally received major recognition for the project – the first being when she earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award as a teenager. She continues to credit the support she received from fellow students in Tabernacle’s Seneca High School, her then-home parish of Saint Mary of the Lakes, Medford, and the community at large. Today, Medford Lakes Girl Scout troops continue to fill bags for “Pieces of Light.”
Samaritan Hospice nominated the athletic training and rehabilitation major for the Governor’s Award.
Since arriving at Rowan University and becoming involved with its Catholic Campus Ministry, she’s become a member of Saint Bridget University Parish, Glassboro. The sense of devotion and camaraderie she’s found with the campus ministry and Saint Bridget’s has “bridged the gap between parish and university,” said McNally, who coordinates the campus ministry’s special events.
“Just going to the meetings and the student Masses every Saturday, I have had the opportunity to hear from speakers, such as religious sisters and married couples, who share their experiences and … the same beliefs as me,” she said. “It’s really nice to be able to talk about my faith with other students who are my age. … It’s great to be with people who want to be there and follow their faith.”
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