Fernando volunteered more than 300 hours at several organizations. Much of her work was done through Volunteer Ventures, a program sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Bergen County that provides evening and weekend volunteer projects for busy, working adults. 

Her volunteer activities include helping set up for functions and assisting frail clients at the Care One facility in Ridgewood. She also cared for children while their parents attended programs sponsored by the Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources, in Hackensack, and she helped sell tickets and serve refreshments at concerts of the Palisades Virtuosi. For Shelter our Sisters, the domestic violence shelter, she wrapped gifts at the mall to raise funds, helped kids and families have a good time at SOS’s picnics, mentored victims of domestic violence, and helped in the administrative office.

She sold candy at Giants Stadium to raise funds for Youth Education in the Arts, and she regularly visits people with disabilities who reside in homes sponsored by Spectrum for Living. She is a permanent volunteer at Holy Name Hospital’s gift shop, where on busy days she fills hundreds of helium balloons.

"Jayantha is a wonderful role model and an outstanding volunteer," said Janet Sharma, the Volunteer Center’s executive director.

"She’s a very busy career woman, who has successfully raised children, and she makes time in her busy life to help our community in so many ways.  We are pleased that Wachovia is honoring her, and we hope others will follow her example."