Who We Are
Love Lifts Us Up helps fulfill the needs of underserved newborns and seriously ill children during a hospital admission, and those requiring support upon discharge. LLUU was organized in 2017 when Pastor George Kaden, (former Pastor of Old Brick Reformed Church in Marlboro, New Jersey) Dana Silvey, (Social Worker Care Coordinator for Maternal Child Health) and others began collecting and distributing baby items to assist families in need at the hospital. To date, LLUU has directly helped more than 800 families through generous donations from community supporters.
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Donna Scalia
PRESIDENT
After an extensive career in both the private and public sectors, Donna retired in 2021. Upon retiring, she began volunteering for Love Lifts us Up and Monmouth County SPCA. Donna has enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to further the mission and goals of Love Lifts Us Up. She is grateful to have been guided to this amazing organization.
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Linda Bradley
TREASURER
Linda is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in operational activities including Human Resources, Payroll, and Accounting. Holding a master’s degree in human resources management from Saint Elizabeth University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rutgers University, Linda brings her experience and knowledge to manage the treasurer activities of LLUU. Currently, she balances part-time recruiting responsibilities for Lavner Education, an education technology company, and volunteering for various non-profits. A mother of one son, she and her husband divide their time between Florida and New Jersey.
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Erica Loguirato (with her husband Joe)
SECRETARY
Wife and mother of 2, Erica is a local Community Health Worker who is passionate about empowering her friends and neighbors. With a special affinity for kids with challenges, she brings her faith, love of service and learned experiences as a NiCU/PiCU parent at HMH to enhance her new role as Secretary of LLUU.
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Pastor George Kaden (with his wife, Janet)
CO-FOUNDER
A long-time pastor and servant, George Kaden co-founded LLUU. Reverend George formerly served as Pastor of Old Brick Church in Marlboro, NJ where “God is faithful and has blessed me richly.”
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Dana Silvey
CO-FOUNDER
Dana Silvey, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, became keenly aware of the needs of underserved families of newborns and seriously ill children. Recognizing there was no relief for them, Dana began donating essential resources and collecting them from family/ friends. Through Dana and Pastor George’s vision, and selflessness, Love Lifts Us Up (lluu.org) was founded to expand support to families described above. Dana also supervises Love Lifts Us Up interns.