Bergen County Volunteer Director To Be Named #5 "NJ Hero" By First Lady

On July 29, 2014, First Lady Mary Pat Christie will name Executive Director of the Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization (MEVO), Eric Fuchs-Stengel as her 5th New Jersey hero of 2014 and 29th New Jersey Hero overall.

Eric created MEVO in 2008 at the age of sixteen. In 2011, he started the organization’s Farm to Live program to help low-income families from local communities get fruits and vegetables they need. The produce is grown by volunteers through environmentally-conscious means: without chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers and without using fossil fuel=powered farming tools.

Mrs. Christie will honor Eric at a community garden located on land donated by Bergen County Community College, from where Farm to Live has grown almost 200 pounds of vegetables and fruits, including pumpkins. Additionally, Farm to Live has 15 honeybee hives, which produce honey that is locally consumed. Overall, Farm to Live says it has harvested over 700 pounds of vegetables in three years at the site.

New Jersey Heroes is an initiative of Mary Pat Christie’s that showcases the positive and unique ways people and organizations are impacting New Jersey and their communities.

The event will take place Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at Bergen Community College, 400 County Road #62, Paramus, NJ.