Resident raises awareness, funds for Romanian orphans

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Left: Sebi, a Romanian orphan, spars with Nate Foster, a student at the ATA Black Belt Academy on Route 516, Old Bridge, during the daylong benefit for Romanian orphans. Right: Noah Foster, a student at the ATA Black Belt Academy, shows his moves. OLD BRIDGE — The plight of the world's orphans is close to Michele Conte's heart.

Conte and her husband Ronnie have adopted three orphans, from the U.S., China and Ethiopia, and are raising them in addition to their two biological offspring. They also serve as foster parents for the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services.

"I guess it's just a passion of ours to try and help the children," Conte said. "If every family did just a little bit, the need would be lessened. So, we do our part in hopes to help and raise awareness to others that they can help, too."

She noted that there are more than 1.5 million orphans worldwide who need help.

To help with the cause — and to raise money for a nonprofit called Pathway to Joy Ministries, which benefits Romanian orphans — Conte organized a day of events April 24. To help her do that, a Romanian orphan choir visited Old Bridge and sang for the community.

Michele Conte also received help from the ATA Black Belt Academy and its owner, John McInerny. The nine Romanian orphans visited his school on Route 516 and spent over an hour learning taekwondo, playing games and learning form.

"They had a real blast," Conte said.

After a lunch provided by Chick-fil- A of Woodbridge, the group went to Geick Park and enjoyed the beautiful day until the benefit began at 6 p.m. at Sayrewoods Bible Church. There, the group enjoyed taekwondo demonstrations from the junior leadership team at ATA and from McInerny, a fifth-degree black belt.

The Romanian Orphan Choir sang for about 30 minutes, followed by face painting and animal balloons provided for free by Jenny Wilen of PartyArty- With.Us. Susan Agosta donated a massage basket, including a one-hour massage, essential oils and a CD, to be raffled off, and families provided homemade desserts.

The event raised $1,000 for Pathway to Joy Ministries, which reaches out to children and communities in need in Romania by providing them with food, clothing, shelter, medical care and other critically needed assistance. For more information about the nonprofit organization, visit the website at www.pathwaytojoy. org.

"They are truly in need of monthly sponsorships for these precious children," Michele said.