Cecilia Gaines Holland Award 2024
Phyllis Chanda is a caring, kind, and dedicated volunteer working tirelessly to serve those in need. Confident as a leader or as a hands-on volunteer, she does what needs to be done behind the scenes. In 2019 she was awarded the Seeds of Change Award by the Morris County Advisory Committee on Women and the Freeholders for her dedication to her community. As they said at the time, “there is no job too small or too big! She leads by example, honors commitments and never gives up.”
After a 32-year career in the health care industry as a Human Resources professional, our Cecilia re-directed her energies to daily visits to a nursing home where she assisted the Activities staff and became a strong advocate for Alzheimer’s patients. Later she continued her daily visits and joined the Alzheimer’s Association fundraising walks in Roxbury. Today she is a year-round Community Engagement Coordinator for the Association working on all aspects of the walk.
Our new Cecilia volunteers three days per week with the Construction Department of Habitat for Humanity building affordable housing. In 2023, she logged 917 hours. Previously she volunteered in the Home Repair Department rehabbing houses throughout Morris County, including new roofs, replacing a rotted front porch, and renovating rooms at the rehab building.
She has volunteered with the Roxbury Social Services for many years, assisting the Director with programs including the Christmas gift program. She continues to provide food and clothing to those in need.
She has worked with the Family Promise on the Housing Family program, providing hands-on assistance with setting up living arrangements. She continues to provide school supplies, fill wish lists, and offer Christmas gifts as well as fill gift boxes through Samaritans Purse.
She has worked with the Roxbury Township Clean Communities Program on the biannual clean-ups for over 10 years.
Phyllis Chanda joined the Roxbury Woman’s Club in 1992. It was here that she initially found many avenues to walk in pursuit of her desire to serve her community. Many activities within the club and the New Jersey State Federation of Woman’s Clubs gave her ideas for further service.