Standing near a photo of Sister Grace Nolan, who named them “The Troops,” are Catholic Charities volunteers Patricia Bivins, Kathryn Noble and Virginia Brannigan. Each is holding the 2013 New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award medal for volunteer service.
Three women in their mid-70s, who have collectively dedicated more than 60 years of their lives to aid the poor, hungry and homeless, were selected as honorees of the New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Awards for Public Service, in the category of “Volunteer Program or Group.”
Long-time Catholic Charities volunteers Kathryn Noble, Patricia Bivins and Virginia Brannigan, known as “The Troops,” work in Catholic Charities’ thrift shop in Atlantic City, visit the elderly in their homes, pack food bags, and work with the homeless. They have also acted as liaisons between family members and nursing home staff, and have orchestrated an annual Christmas program.
The Jefferson Awards were established to honor individuals for their achievements and contributions through community service.
Kathryn “Kay” Noble has been working at Catholic Charities for 26 years, inspired by the work of the Sisters of Mercy (who taught her at St. Mary School in Camden, and Camden Catholic High School), and Mercy Sister Grace Nolan, known in the Diocese of Camden for her more than 40 years of service to the poor, sick and needy of Atlantic City. The former coordinator of Catholic Charities’ Atlantic County Family Services and Community Center, she retired in 2011.
“I wanted to see if there was something I could do, to help,” Noble said.
Sister Grace Nolan, who affectionately called the Catholic Charities’ workers in Atlantic City “The Troops,” was “a mentor to the three of us,” Noble said.
All-day on Wednesdays and on Friday afternoons, donated clothes are sorted, and on Fridays the thrift shop is prepared to open up for business on Monday.
“Every week these women spend countless hours sorting through donations and manning the operations of Gracie’s Thrift Store. The funds generated as a result of their efforts, $261,677 since 2000, return to the community by way of direct services, in addition to their duties at the store,” said Kevin Hickey, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Camden, who nominated them for the award.
“These amazing women remember the names and details of the lives of the homeless persons who walk through the doors of Catholic Charities each week. It is likely the only time they are greeted by name, asked about their week, and offered a kind smile.”
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