DASI 35th Anniversary

A gala was recently held at the Lake Mohawk Country Club to celebrate 35 years of service by Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Intervention Services (DASI). The organization provides comprehensive services to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking and works to prevent these crimes. The event honored longtime volunteer Debora Meltz of Andover for 25 years of pro bono graphic design, fundraising, leadership on the DASI Board of Trustees, as well as the generosity of her and her late husband David Meltz’s significant donations to DASI’s critical capital campaigns. In accepting her award, Meltz stated that through her work at DASI she learned “…not to make assumptions and never to judge other people without knowing and understanding the roads they have traveled. I learned to listen, not only with my ears but with my heart. I learned to keep quiet. That was probably the hardest thing.”
DASI Board of Trustees President Jennifer Cable recognized Executive Director Jamie Bernard’s 35 years of service with a gift from the Board, followed by Bernard’s recognition of Cathy Rudder, Personnel Manager for 25 years, Gwen Federico, Associate Director for 20 years, Dawn Penna, Director of Residential Services for 16 years, and Cassandra DeLucchi, Director of Legal Advocacy Services for 10 years. Those employees were presented with silver bracelets proclaiming their “DASI Superhero” status.
Two brave survivors of abuse shared their moving stories with the 140 guests and supporters of DASI. Tina Marcella and Party of Phive provided inspiration and music to dance to, while guests participated in a silent auction coordinated by volunteer Melissa Dietz and a wine pull organized by DASI Trustee Michael Mohammadi.
Generous sponsors of the event included Thor Labs, iHeart Media, Beverly and Bruce Gordon, the Young Men’s Philanthropic League, SB One Bank, Lakeland Bank, Ronetco Supermarkets, Eye Care Northwest, and Cullari Carrico LLC.,
Gala Chair and DASI Associate Director Kim Spangenberg states, “We are so grateful to all of the sponsors, auction and wine donors, volunteers, and DASI supporters who contributed to the success of this event. It takes all of us to stop domestic violence and sexual assault in Sussex County and we certainly received the help of our community with this event.”
For more information about DASI, visit www.dasi.org or call 973-579-2386.