Some stories stay with you — not because of what was given, but because of who it was given to.

This holiday season, through a partnership with the Cumberland County Division on Aging & Disability Services, Autumn Lake Healthcare at Vineland was made aware of an urgent need involving Cumberland County residents Joe and Beverly Panzino, who have been married for 60 years and have spent their lives serving the local community.

Beverly has endured a challenging year marked by multiple hospitalizations, strokes, and cardiac surgeries, leaving her bedbound. Her husband Joe now serves as her full-time caregiver, providing constant and devoted care.

Joe Panzino is widely known throughout the community for a lifetime of service. He is the founder of God Is the Answer Ministry (established in 1976), a longtime pastor, and a former chaplain for both the Vineland Police Department and the Bridgeton jail. For decades, Joe dedicated his time to feeding the homeless, offering shelter, and caring for those in need. In his earlier years, he was even recognized as Mr. Vineland.

Despite this legacy of service, Joe and Beverly found themselves facing the winter months without heat due to mounting medical expenses.

Because Autumn Lake at Vineland maintains close relationships with county partners and remains intentional about identifying where help is truly needed, the response was immediate. With the support of Mainline Oil Company, a local Cumberland County business, the Panzinos’ oil tank was filled within hours, ensuring warmth and safety during the cold winter season.

Autumn Lake at Vineland Administrator Leiby Blau joined in visiting the family at their home, where time was spent listening to their story and witnessing firsthand the strength, love, and resilience that define this family.

This effort reflects what meaningful community collaboration looks like:

• A family in need
• A county government agency identifying the concern
• A local business responding swiftly
• A healthcare organization stepping in
• A community working together with purpose

In addition to supporting the Panzinos, this same partnership identified the need and Autumn Lake Healthcare assisted another Cumberland County resident yesterday 12/30 — a 94-year-old individual from Bridgeton who was also without heat — ensuring they, too, had warmth and security during the winter season. We thank another local partner Modern Heating Company of Bridgeton for responding so quickly on the eve of a holiday. 

Joe has spent his life caring for others. Being able to care for him — and to extend that same care to another senior in need — was an honor.

This type of coordinated response reflects the strength of Southern New Jersey’s business, healthcare, and public-sector partnerships when community needs arise.

This is community integration.

This is partnership.

This is how we keep good going.