PSEG, Moonjumpers Help WWII Vet At Home

Morris Koffer thanks PSEG Long Island employee Frank Moorhus who organized volunteers to do yard work on the 96-year-old WWII veteran’s property. PSEG photo

By Sophia Ricco
sricco@longislandergroup.com

An Air Force veteran received a thank you for his service when more than 20 volunteers from PSEG Long Island and Moonjumpers lent a hand to spruce up his property.

As a way to give back to the community, employees of PSEG Long Island together with volunteers from Moonjumpers, charitable organization descended on the home of Morris “Monty” Koffer and his wife, Edith, to trim back overgrown trees and shrubs, pick up leaves and debris and give the property a thorough sprucing. The team filled a 20-yard dumpster with debris.

At 96 years old, Koffer, a World War II veteran, hasn’t been able to keep up with the yard work like before.

“When I learned of Monty and Edith’s situation, I knew that my company and co-workers would step in to help,” PSEG meter technician, Frank Moorhus said. “Everyone was so enthusiastic and made a real difference for this couple, which shows the true spirit of giving during this holiday season.”

After Moorhus saw the state of their residence, he turned to his PSEG Long Island’s volunteer group.

“When you’re 96, yard work and housecleaning are not chores that come easy,” Moorhus said.

Volunteers from PSEG Long Island and Moonjumpers helped WWII veteran Morris Koffer clean up his home and yard. Moonjumpers photo

Volunteers spent over six hours removing 20 yards of yard waste and home debris from branches to acquired home items to three-year-old leaves. The Melville veteran was delighted to see his home return to an exceptional condition.

“I asked my wife – she had to pinch me because I can’t believe what I see here,” Koffer said. “Everything is done. It was like a wild forest with dead branches all over the yard. It’s amazing to see how they cleaned it up. They did a remarkable job. It’s beautiful. It looks like a new house. We’re very, very thankful.”

The dumpster, funded by Moonjumpers, was filled with waste from the couple’s yard, basement and garage. Moonjumpers was eager to get involved with the project after board member, Ray Homburger, who works for PSEG Long Island asked for help.

“They reached out to us to see if we could support them in a financial manner,” Moonjumpers president, Robert Benson said. “Since they were looking to do hands-on work and clean up the veteran’s premises, not only did we fund it, we sent some of our people over there to do some work as well.”

Moonjumper board members were happy to help a veteran as a way of thanking him for his service. Beginning in 2011, their mission is to help improve and support the lives of people in need, within the community.

“Part of our mission is to help support veterans and people in need in the community,” Benson said. “This actually reaches out to both, so it was a great opportunity.”

PSEG Long Island participates in many charity events and projects. Learn more about their work at psegliny.com/page.cfm/Community. Anyone interested in volunteering with Moonjumpers, can email robert.benson@nationalgrid.com. They are searching for their major project of 2019 and know they will need around 80 skilled volunteers.