Most of the volunteers working with Netta Meltzer’s Special Young People of North Bergen program say that she first lured them to help out with the area’s mentally disabled people years ago.
“She dragged me in 20 years ago and I haven’t gotten out since,” Debbie Salamon joked recently. “Without her, I don’t know where these kids would go.”
Meltzner throws parties and runs programs for disabled youths and adults throughout North Bergen, and many of the residents who use the programs say she is a godsend.
The most recent event was a new year’s party for adults, whom she still includes in the group she calls “Special Young People,” even though they range from 18 to 65.
At the most recent party, gifts that were handpicked by Meltzer were donated by Larry Gold of Gold Coast Cleaners, who holds a golf tournament each summer to raise money for parties for needy residents.
This year, the $45,000 he raised went to three places: toward a Christmas party for all of the township’s children; for Meltzer’s party for special children held in December, and most recently, for the 40 “forever young” adult members who celebrated the new year.
Meltzer said that she always makes sure that her special people get exactly what they want. She even went so far as to buy 14 karat earrings for a 40-year-old woman in the program.
“It’s come a long way,” said Salamon. “She [use to] come out to give peanut butter and jelly sandwiches out of her own pocket to this. It’s come a long way and the town should be proud of her.”
“You can’t please the world, but we’re here to please people.” – Netta Meltzer
________
Meltzer’s program now runs in conjunction with the township. It hosts weekly events that include bowling and movie outings. During the summer, she runs a five-week camp for children with special needs. Each season often includes a party.
“Look, you can’t please the world, but we’re here to please people,” said Meltzer.
Looking toward 2009
Last week, Special Young Person Janelle Sanchez said that Meltzer is a “second grandmother” to her. She said she wishes for “happiness in the future and hope” for the new year.
Hope is something that Salamon had on her mind as well. She said that when her children were growing up, information about special needs children didn’t exist. For example, children on a school bus didn’t know what Down syndrome was.
“I hope there’s more [for them], a cure; I hope these kids get more opportunities that should be out there, more knowledge,” said Salamon.
Jackie Elwood, who started helping out with the summer program only to become a year round volunteer, said that helping with the parties gave her a better sense of the holiday spirit.
“I love it,” said Elwood.
Thankful for help
Meltzer said that since the program’s inception, things have become easier with Mayor Nicholas Sacco’s help and with many parents getting involved. She said that without Sacco and additional township funding, finding places for her programs and transportation to them would be a much more difficult task.
“I have a lot of people who are really into [helping out], and I’m one person that doesn’t have a special child, but I love them,” Meltzer said. “Many years ago, I lost my husband, and I needed something, a different outlook, [and] they made me get back to myself.”