Saint Mary Advocates has undergone many name changes throughout its 50 years as a non-profit organization in Hoboken, but has always stuck to its modest mission of providing aid to those who need it most. Throughout the years this has included the hospital and other charities.
Initially incorporated as the Saint Mary Hospital Woman’s Auxiliary in 1966, 10 years later, in 1976, the bylaws were altered to allow men to become members and the name was changed to Saint Mary Auxiliary.
Much later, in 2007, a municipal authority purchased the hospital and changed its name to Hoboken University Medical Center.
“We continued to support the hospital and changed our name to the Hoboken University Medical Center Auxiliary, [but] in 2011 the hospital was bought by a for profit organization and by law a for-profit hospital cannot accept any gifts from a nonprofit organization,” explained member Lucille Casulli. Thus, the name of the group was changed to Advocates.
While they still hold meetings at Hoboken University Medical Center through the generosity of the hospital, Casulli emphasized that the organization is completely not-for-profit.
The group’s main commitment continues to be lending a helping hand to others – having raised close to $3 million since its inception for a range of local and national organizations that span the gamut: Wounded Warrior, American Cancer Society, Hoboken Ambulance Corp, March of Dimes, Railmen for Children, and scholarships for incoming nurses and doctors.
“Now…it’s about keeping it going.” – Lucille Casulli
____________
Long time
Lucille Casulli, who was in her late 20s when the organization was incorporated in 1966, traces her level of commitment back to her first meeting.
“I remember it like it was yesterday. The first meeting was scheduled for Monday, April 18, 1966,” said Lucille, a third generation Hobokenite whose grandmother came to the Mile Square City from Italy in the late 1800s. “But I went into labor and had my second daughter [on the 16th]. I was told I couldn’t attend the meeting and it was killing me I couldn’t go. At one point I looked at one of the nurses and said, ‘Could you wheel me there?”
Casulli, who was the president of the organization in the 1970s, breaks out into laughter while thinking about the memory. Drawing new, young, and passionate volunteers like Casulli was at the time, is the group’s focus as St. Mary’s Advocates heads into its 50th anniversary.
“Our biggest problem is, we’re not attracting younger people,” said Casulli, who hopes this will change soon.
Thrift shop
Those familiar with the organization may know it for its former ties to St. Mary’s Hospital (currently Hoboken University Medical Center). At its humble beginnings, the organization aimed to assist the hospital in raising money for the Dr. Kiely Memorial Laboratory. Within three years, with the help of hospital benefactor Elsa Willenborg, the organization raised $50,000.
It was considered a huge success and soon Mary Neumann DePascale – wife of then-Hoboken-mayor Louis DePascale – took the helm as the organization’s first president.
In the 1970s Casulli sparked the idea to open a thrift store to help the organization raise additional money. At the time, they opened Bargain Box Thrift Store on Fourth Street. Later that store moved to Sixth and Bloomfield Streets, before landing at Sixth and Garden Streets where they are currently located and simply known as The Thrift Store.
“The bulk of our funds are raised at our thrift store,” said Casulli, who noted that it is entirely volunteer-run. “No salaries are paid…including our unpaid manager Trish DeRose.”
Had wheelchairs made for two vets
DeRose is finalizing work on the organization’s most recent endeavor after the group collected $30,000 to have specialized track chairs built for two severely wounded war veterans.
The vets are both New Jersey natives – from Union Beach and Cherry Hill. One veteran is paralyzed from the waist down and plans to be a doctor, and the other lost his legs while on his third tour in Iraq.
“I am so grateful for what they have done for me and all of us. God bless all of them and what they do,” said DeRose, who has been with the organization for 28 years and joined when she was 10. “There’s not enough I feel we can do to pay back these veterans for what they have given us. I have a very soft spot in my heart. I like helping other people; especially because I feel I’ve been very blessed in my life.”
The chairs will be presented to the men in September during a street function in front of the Thrift Store, at 536 Garden St. The specific date and time are TBA.
“Now, as far the organization,” Casulli said, “it’s about keeping it going.”
To learn how you can volunteer, visit www.stmaryadvocates.org.