Councilman offers thanks for spirit of the holidays
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

Jason Gudaitis

JACKSON — During this season of doing something for others, a township councilman took time at a recent meeting to reflect on the meaning of giving.

“As we enter this holiday season we recall seasons gone by,” Councilman Jason J. Gudaitis said. “Some recall last year at this time and others reflect on their childhood.”

Gudaitis said although this is a hectic time of the year for most people, two things stand out: getting together with friends and family, and giving to others, whether they be family, friends or those in the community.

“There should be no expectations of a return gift or a pat on the back,” he said. “It’s just nice to give.”

Reflecting back on Thanksgiving, Gudaitis said the council members opened their hearts and wallets and decided to chip in and purchase turkeys for the Jackson Food Pantry.

At ShopRite, their donation was met by a donation from the supermarket itself.

“The result was nearly $500 in food being delivered to the Jackson Food Pantry, where they saw ear-to-ear smiles on the faces of the volunteers,” Gudaitis said. “The greatest reward was just hearing the words thank you and knowing you positively affected someone’s life.”

He thanked the Jackson Women of Today, who run the pantry, and all the volunteers who give of their time throughout the year and during the holiday season.

Gudaitis said Mayor Mark Seda, members of the council and their families delivered food to seniors who could not make it out to the senior center.

At the senior center, the mayor and council members joined with Janice Connor, director, to serve drinks and food and sang songs or just talked to the seniors. They even stayed to help clean up, he said.

“To top it off, there was a birthday celebration and two wedding anniversaries, one of 58 years and the other of 68 years,” Gudaitis said. “We all felt the sense of togetherness and community that so often gets lost during the rest of the year.”

He noted that Seda initiated a Toys for Tots campaign and during the weekend of Dec. 2-3 council members visited Toyland at the senior center.

“Again the workers did another tremendous job,” the councilman said. “The children who came could not have been happier and it really did feel as if we were in the North Pole. Thank you to the Toys and Twilighters.”

Gudaitis reflected on the tree lighting ceremony held Dec. 2 and the great job that was done by the employees in the public works department.

“There is always something special about the first time you light a tree, be it your own, a family member’s, or one for the entire community of Jackson,” he said.

“Thanks to the Jackson Council on the Arts choir and the Jackson Memorial High School band for their wonderful performances. Every member did a wonderful job, giving all they could to make it a wonderful experience,” Gudaitis added.

The councilman also praised the celebration given for handicapped individuals on Dec. 3 by the Commission for the Disabled. He thanked chairperson Carmen Esposito and members of the commission for giving their best efforts and hard work.

Gudaitis also noted that for the first time in many years, a community Hanukkah menorah was lit at town hall on Dec. 19.