Community comes together at Hand in Hand Festival
Volunteers and disabled people learn from each other during annual fest
BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer

SCOTT FRIEDMAN Anthony McCord, of Burlington Township, uses a little fitness and a lot of body language in the stuffed-animal toss at the 35th annual Hand in Hand Festival held at the Club at Woodbridge on Sept. 23.

WOODBRIDGE - The first time he took part in the annual Hand in Hand Festival it was an eye-opener for Jeff Zirpolo, owner of The Club at Woodbridge.

"It just wakes you up," he said. "You think of the parents who have essentially a child forever."

Zirpolo and his brother Ray, who opened up The Club at Woodbridge 31 years ago, started hosting the Hand in Hand Festival in 1994.

The festival, which has been providing the mentally and physically challenged and the general population a chance to interact in a fun, nonthreatening environment since 1973, brought out over 200 people with disabilities and over 250 volunteers on Sept. 23.

Dorothy Apgar started the festival in 1973 when she was a member of a group of volunteers from Bell Telephone called the Telephone Pioneers. The festival was held at Middlesex County College and usually welcomed 1,000 attendees.

"Dorothy died in a tragic car accident while delivering toys to children 13 years ago," said Zirpolo.

Zirpolo and his brother made the decision to run and host a smaller version of the Hand in Hand festival when no one was willing or able to continue the valuable tradition.

"Thinking about this woman who single handedly started this festival, which welcomed 1,000 attendees, kind of like a military maneuver, it was daunting," said Zirpolo. "We participated in the festival by setting up two games five or six years prior to Dorothy's passing. It's a rewarding day."

The term "hand in hand" symbolizes the individual with a disability being paired with a volunteer and walking around the festival "hand in hand."

"We have so many people who come and donate their time," said Zirpolo. "There is always a fear that we won't have enough volunteers to pair up with each person with a disability, but we always seem to have enough."

Zirpolo said although the event is primarily for the benefit of the guest, there is an equal benefit for the volunteer.

"Most volunteers are apprehensive about how to handle the circumstances," he said. "This reaction is normal, and volunteers leave with a whole new understanding of this special population. It is truly a win-win situation for all involved."

Zirpolo said the approximately 250 volunteers ranged from students from schools around the area including Colonia High School, Iselin Middle School, St. James School, Woodbridge High School, Bishop George Ahr High School in Edison, Rutgers Prep, and many more, to members of the community donating their time.

The festival included a DJ, karaoke, games, prizes, food, music, pony, train, and motorcycle rides.

About 30 students from the Woodbridge High School International Culture Club came to volunteer their time.

"We love to give back to the community," said Tina Provenzano, the class adviser for the club. "We are coming back for our third year, and it's addicting. We collect prizes over the summer for our different activities and crafts for the event."

Kelly Mahon, president of the club, added that she likes making it fun for the people.

Sisters Aileen and Leslie Pezantes, of the Interact Club at Colonia High School, came to volunteer for the first time.

"We wanted to help out," said Aileen, a senior at the high school.

Edgar Jenkins Sr. and his son Edgar Jenkins Jr. have been volunteering their time and equipment for participants to sing some karaoke.

"We have been helping out for quite a few years," said Jenkins Sr., as some participants sang "We Are Family" and a number from "Grease." "We also volunteer for the veterans, at the hospitals and senior centers."