By Dubravka Cortese | Correspondent

 Sometimes all it takes is a week to make a major impact on those less fortunate.

That became evident this November, when parishioners of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, worked with fellow members of the local community to help amass a sizeable donation to assist the needy, Ebola-stricken residents of Liberia.

Members of the parish took part in a collection drive hosted by a local organization, R.O.C.K., which stands for Radwell Operation of Caring and Kindness. In a single week, donations helped to pack a shipping container full of supplies for those in need.

“It’s important for us to be in solidarity with the people who are hurting in Africa,” said Msgr. Richard LaVerghetta, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish.

R.O.C.K. was the brainchild of Brian Radwell, president of Radwell Enterprises in Lumberton, who grew up in the parish family. Brian’s brother, John, who also grew up as a parishioner in the Marlton parish, formed R.O.C.K. just over a year ago.

According to John’s wife and president of R.O.C.K., Jill Radwell, the foundation’s premise was more about promoting volunteerism than just fundraising.

“It was a way to organize volunteers to help out in the community,” explains Jill Radwell, who as a former teacher and Key Club advisor, is well-versed in community volunteerism.

And it all started with a visit to a hospital.

The idea for the Ebola drive came about after Brian’s wife spent some time in the hospital during the Ebola outbreak in Liberia.

“Brian felt helpless in the hospital himself,” explained Jill, “and he couldn’t imagine what it felt like for those suffering in Africa who had no support.”

That’s where R.O.C.K. came into the picture.

Working with the African Immigrant Action Committee on Ebola, R.O.C.K. volunteers set up collection points at Radwell offices and other sites in the community, requesting donations of items such as nutritional shakes, rice, beans, gloves, masks, bleach, sanitizers, thermometers, even rain boots and goggles.

Jill also approached Msgr. LaVerghetta and the parish school principal, Sister of St. Joseph Patricia Pycik, at the school’s annual Christmas bazaar in early November to ask if the parish would be able to offer assistance.

Information about the drive was published in the parish bulletin, and the response was immediate. Within a week, St. Joan of Arc parishioners contributed enough items fill the donation box that had been placed in the church’s vestibule.

The St. Joan of Arc Parish community is all but foreign to the family. Brian and John had been parishioners of St. Joan of Arc as children, and their mother, Darlene, is a member of the parish choir. She is also the acting vice president of R.O.C.K., whose members manned the Ebola collection sites at the company’s Lumberton office.

The drive’s success could be measured by the donations it netted – enough to fill a shipping container provided by SEA BOX, Inc. of Riverton. The 20’x8’x8’ container was scheduled to be sent overseas in mid-December.

“It was wonderful,” said Jill. “Throughout this drive we made a lot of connections with local organizations that we hope to partner with for future charitable events.”

For more information on the African Immigrant Action Committee on Ebola, or to make a donation, visit www.african-immigrant-assistance-agency.com.