The holiday season may be over, but collection boxes can still be found at Town Hall and the Cherry Hill Public Library.
From food and drink items such as pancake mix, cases of water, pasta sauce and peanut butter and jelly to toiletries such as shampoo and deodorant, residents have an opportunity to donate to a few local nonprofits ahead of one of the biggest volunteer days of the year.
The township is again teaming with Cherry Hill Public Schools and the library for the Martin Luther King Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 18. The event will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Cherry Hill High School West.
This is the second straight year the township is partnering with other groups in Cherry Hill for a day of service project. Last year, a township-wide collection drive was held in the early part of January for five different organizations. Volunteers then boxed the donations to send to the organizations.
“We were really pleased with last year’s event and we’re tweaking it to make it even better,” said Megan Brown, director of recreation for Cherry Hill Township.
Brown credited councilwoman and Cherry Hill West teacher Carole Roskoph and other school officials with getting the word out in the district.
“Last year was definitely higher (participation) than we expected,” she said. “Not only did we have a big turnout from the schools, we had a big turnout from the general community.”
This year’s project will be similar to last year’s. Donation bins are available at Town Hall and the library. This year, the township is collecting items for the Cherry Hill Food Pantry, American Red Cross and Cathedral Kitchen.
Residents can donate a wide range of items, including food, drinks, plastic utensils and cleaning items. Residents can also donate books, DVDs and video games to go toward the library. A full list of needed items can be found at www.cherryhill-nj.com and on the recreation department’s Facebook page.
“We’ll be closing donations on Jan. 14 so we can ship them over to West,” Brown said.
On Jan. 18, residents will find an array of volunteer activities waiting for them. Volunteers at Cherry Hill West will box the collected donations for delivery to the various organizations. Others will have the opportunity to make sandwiches and create placemats and centerpieces for Cathedral Kitchen.
There will also be a volunteer opportunity with the Cherry Hill Trail Crew at Croft Farm that morning.
“They’re forming a couple new trails,” Brown said. “They’ll cut back invasive species, they’ll pick up litter.”
After the activities are over, all volunteers will be invited back to Cherry Hill West to enjoy a free lunch.
Two weeks before the event, the township had about 50 volunteers signed up and expects the number to increase in the days leading up the day.
Residents of all ages are encouraged to volunteer. Younger children must have adult supervision. All volunteers are asked to sign up prior to Jan. 18. Space is limited. For more information or to volunteer, call the recreation department at (856) 488–7868 or email events@CHTownship.com.
