This month, we’re highlighting Family Promise of Morris County volunteer and 2022 Seeds of Change Award winner, Mary Ledyard.
Mary started volunteering as a teenager and has not stopped caring for others since. Over the years, she and her husband, John, have actively volunteered for countless causes and organizations within our community.
The Seeds of Change Award, given by the Morris County Advisory Committee on Women, was created to honor the legacy of Leanna Brown, who valued grassroots activism and building up her community. Titled Seeds of Change, it reflects the concept of planting seeds, nurturing seedlings, and cultivating real change over time – which Mary has done right here in Morris County.
Learn more about Mary below!
Name: Mary Ledyard
Hometown: Rockaway, NJ
Role with Family Promise Morris: I deliver groceries from the Interfaith Food Pantry two days a month to individuals and families of Family Promise. Also, I make dinner and provide fellowship for Family Promise shelter guests.
How did you get involved with Family Promise Morris? I took the volunteer training at Family Promise due to a suggestion by Frank Novak, Family Promise Board member, so that I could better help homeless families when needed. Then I helped feed the families dinner when they were in shelter, and during COVID I delivered meals to the families when they were in various hotels.
What do you like most about working with Family Promise Morris: Helping people in need is just so rewarding. All the recipients I deliver to are SO thankful, so it really feeds my soul.
Favorite vacation spot and why: We don’t have a favorite vacation spot because we love travel anywhere. International travel has taught us so much about other cultures, but really any place where we can do something like hiking, swimming, fishing, snowboarding, biking, etc. I’d love to visit all the National Parks and we’ve been lucky to visit at least 10 so far.
How would your friends describe you? Most would probably call me the ‘Energizer Bunny’. Other words might be generous and caring. I asked four coworkers and friends and here is the list from them: caring, charitable, generous, creative, selfless, philanthropic, hardworking, dedicated, inspiring, genuine, empathetic, & friendly.
Check out an article about Mary and the 2022 Seeds of Change Award here.
To learn how you can get involved with Family Promise of Morris County, click here.