Mentors
Meet the mentors that make SNAP awesome!
Coleen O'Kane
Mentor
Hi! My name is Colleen O’Kane and I am a sophomore at Lumen Gentium Academy in Boonton. I’ve been volunteering at SNAP since I was in 6th grade. Before that, I was a SNAP ambassador at my elementary school. I love being a mentor for a lot of different reasons. I love working with and getting to know the participants. Each of them are so unique and amazing, and I’ve created a lot of bonds with them. I enjoy seeing them have fun, and their joy is contagious. I’d say they help me more than I help them.
Thomas Albanito
Mentor
My name is Thomas Albanito and I have been a SNAP mentor for 4 years! I am a rising junior at Oratory Prep, where I play baseball and basketball. Something I love about SNAP is the community. The people are what make up SNAP, and everyone brings something to the table in a special way.
Morgan Heller
Mentor
Hi, I'm Morgan, a junior at Randolph High School! Since 2019, I've been volunteering at SNAP. Being a mentor at SNAP brings me joy as I leave every week knowing I've made a positive impact on someone's life. Reflecting on each session, it warms my heart to see the growth and progress of each participant, making my experience both fun and rewarding.
Following a conversation with Kim, I have taken the initiative to revive the "Peace for Parents" room.
This space now features a box filled with snacks, and mindful activities such as coloring and puzzle books, providing parents with a source of relaxation and entertainment. In addition to this, I recently had an educational session and am planning game nights and a yoga session.
The goal is to create a nurturing environment that caters to both children and parents, developing a sense of peace and well-being for all involved.
Hannah Urbach
Mentor
My name is Hannah and I am an 8th grader at Millburn Middle School. I have been a mentor for
about 2 years and I really enjoy it. I have made so many friends and it always makes me so happy when they achieve new things while playing sports and activities.
Russell Urbach
Mentor
My name is Russell and I am 13 years old. I go to Morristown-Beard school. I have been a mentor for Snap for about 2 years. My favorite part about being a mentor is making new friends and playing with all of the kids.
Jacob Suna
Mentor
My name is Jacob and I am a Junior at Morristown Beard School.
I have been volunteering with SNAP since October of 2023. I enjoy being a mentor because I love sports and enjoy sharing my passion with others, especially those who need a helping hand.
Ellie Kaplan
Mentor
Hi, my name is Ellie! I am 17 and have been with SNAP for 2 years.
I like providing support and guidance to my child and being there to help develop new skills. I especially love it when I get the same child more than once as we are able to build a friendship and trust with one another.
Asher Kaplan
Mentor
My name is Asher. I am 14 and have been with SNAP for over a year!
I enjoy helping little kids and being there for them. I love seeing them smile and laugh with me. It is such a rewarding experience.
Matthew Del Vento
Mentor
My name is Matthew! I am currently attending the Pingry School and have been with SNAP for about a year.
I enjoy being a mentor at SNAP because it gives me the opportunity to help others! Giving kids with autism a place to go to every week, to meet new friends, play sports, try something new is why I wanted to be a part of SNAP. It feels great to see them having fun and learning new skills. I enjoy the bondI have made with some of the kids, and the feeling that I can make a difference is so rewarding.
Dylan Polesuk
Mentor
I’m Dylan, a Junior at Randolph High School. I am just finishing my second year as a SNAP mentor. I enjoy being a mentor because I find it rewarding to be a role model for young children and share my love of sports with them.
Emma Del Vento
Mentor
My name is Emma! I am currently attending the Pingry School and have been mentoring for almost a year.
I love being a mentor at SNAP for so many reasons! First, I love that I have made so many new friends, both mentors from other towns and the special friendship I have formed with my mentee. Her and I share a love for the NY Giants, and I love helping her practice her field goal kicks at SNAP. The most rewarding thing for me is that I see the look on the kids’ faces every week when we show up. It's Something I always look forward to!
Savar Toteja
Mentor
My name is Savar and I am a Junior at Metuchen High School. I have been volunteering for SNAP for 3 years.
From a young age, sports have always been an important part of my life. Being able to share my love of sports has been such a rewarding experience for me. I've had a lot of fun making positive relationships and growing as a person through my work with SNAP. I will always remember the fun times I've had here.
Alex Padewski
Mentor
My name is Alex Padewski. I am currently a Junior at Randolph High school. This is my third year volunteering for SNAP. What I like most about being a mentor is helping other kids know that they have good people who will always support them. I am thankful for the opportunity to volunteer with such great kids and other volunteers.
Michelle Jenkins
Mentor
I’m Michele and I am 13 years old and have been a mentor for 2 years.
I love being with the kids and helping.
Frank Mauriello
Mentor
My name is Frank Mauriello and I'm a junior at MCVTS. I like to hang out with friends and go down the shore. This is my third year volunteering at SNAP, and I love my SNAP family.
Christos Kalavrouziotis
Mentor
Hi my name is Christos Kalavrouziotis and I am a Junior at the Morris County School of Technology. In my free time I like to play soccer, DJ, and hang out with friends. My favorite part of the week is seeing all of my SNAP friends.
Eliana Okun
Mentor
My name is Eliana Okun and I have been a mentor for almost 4 years now. I am 16 years old and go to Roxbury High School. I love seeing the kids' faces once they make a basket or catch the ball or even get tagged in duck duck goose because it makes me feel like I did my job by making them feel happy! When I was 13 years old I raised money for SNAP to help include more equipment for the kids to enjoy. Not only does SNAP change my life, but it changes everyone who’s included too!
Addison Freimauer
Mentor
My name is Addison. I am currently in 11th grade at Millburn High School. I have been volunteering at SNAP since May 2023. I like being a mentor at SNAP because I enjoy sharing my passion for sports with all the participants.
Zach Freimauer
Mentor
My name is Zach. I am currently in 9th grade at Millburn High School. I have been volunteering at SNAP since April 2023. I like being a mentor because I like seeing all the kids enjoying themselves and engaging in activities that I enjoy also.
Lydia
Mentor
My name is Lydia and I am in 6th Grade at Freylinghuysen Middle School. I have been a mentor at SNAP for 6 months and I like to see all of the new friends I’ve made through SNAP.
