Trasatti, Orlando Honored as Seniors of Year, AARP Chapter 5235 as Outstanding Organization

AVALON – Marine Corps veteran Fred Trasatti Jr. and Hilda Orlando, an “outstanding volunteer,” were named Cape May County’s Outstanding Male and Female Seniors of the Year May 14 as part of the county’s annual Senior Citizens Jamboree to honor Older Americans Month.
“Salute to the Military” was the theme at Community Hall, 30th and beach. Because of that patriotic theme, many participants at the festival and luncheon wore military uniform items commemorating personal service or that of loved ones.
Wildwood AARP Chapter 5235 was honored as Outstanding Organization of the Year. Members of the group stood united to receive the award presented by Freeholder Kristine Gabor, director of Health and Human Services.
Joining to present awards was Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton, Executive Director Donna Groome, Aging and Disability Services, Sen. Jeff Van Drew and Assembly Robert Andrzejczak, (both D-1st) and Robert Geist, representing U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd). Assemblyman Samuel Fiocchi (R-1st) was present earlier and left due to commitments in Trenton. He addressed the seniors and presented awards.
Hilda Orlando
Hilda Orlando is married to Joseph Orlando, commander of North Wildwood VFW Post 5941. According to the freeholder resolution, while his volunteer work is outstanding, “Hilda is the driving force behind him.” The couple will mark their 50th wedding anniversary in 2016. They have two children and two grandchildren.
She is “always volunteering her time at veterans’ posts throughout the county and she can be found at any function that has to do with assisting veterans. Hilda also volunteers at Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center once a month and plays bingo with its residents.”
Additionally, she “cooks and bakes for special events and has a caring, personal and supportive manner when speaking with people. She cooks meals once a month for veterans at the VFW.” She is also a member of the State of New Jersey VFW Ladies Auxiliary. In her free time she enjoys antiquing and vacationing with her spouse at their timeshare in the Cayman Islands.
Fred Trasatti Jr.
Fred Trasatti Jr. is retired from the Marine Corps having served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. He received four Purple Hearts.
The father of two daughters, he has four grandchildren. Trasatti is senior vice commander of Disabled Americans Veterans Chapter 44 in Del Haven. He is also second junior vice commander for the N.J. State DAV.
He is the Veterans Administration hospital service coordinator for Cape May County. In that capacity, he schedules, take reservations and drive the DAV van to and from VA hospitals.
He has donated “countless hours orchestrating rides to and from Wilmington and Philadelphia VA hospitals for our Cape May County veterans,” according to the resolution. Additionally he “Is a very caring and conscientious individual whose compassion is for our men and women that have served our country.”
AARP Chapter 5235
Founded in 1997, the chapter has about 90 members who attend monthly meetings at Wildwood Crest Pier.
The chapter’s mission is “to enhance the quality of life of persons over 50, they also participate in non-partisan advocacy on issues and legislation that will impact older persons and their communities,” according to the resolution.
“Members of the organization are proud of the work they do for the betterment of the county community that they live in. When called to participate in community betterment events and projects the members are eager volunteers and their generosity is abundant.
Among charitable work done by members is collection of yarn for knitters who make lap blankets and shawls for patients at Cape Regional Medical Center, and providing a basket filled with kitchen essentials and goodies for a Middle Township family that moved into a Habitat for Humanity home.
Additionally, they celebrate annually for National Day of Service and collect items for the C.A.R.A. Wish List.
The chapter has donated hats, gloves, scarves at Christmas to children at Glenwood Avenue Elementary School in Wildwood. It supports the Children’s Fresh Air Home with cash donations.
Each Christmas the chapter contributes to local funding for Volunteers in Medicine, C.A.R.A., SOCS, Love of Linda, the Veterans Administration and Wildwood Crest Library.
Monthly meetings afford members an opportunity to support the Lazarus House in Wildwood. They collect medicine bottles that are mailed to Haiti for redistribution, collected cancelled stamps that are sent to various veterans’ groups, and donated used books to hospitalized veterans or local rescues.