The weather has heated up and brought a flurry of activities in Voorhees.
On May 2, at the Voorhees Middle School, I joined hundreds of other concerned parents for the presentation “Steered Straight,” a forum to talk about the drug epidemic consuming our youth and the ways we can help them make positive, informed decisions.
On May 5 I enjoyed celebrating Cinco de Mayo at the Grand Opening of El Mariachi San Lucas Mexican Restaurant on White Horse Road. Great food served by wonderful people! That evening, we had a great turnout at the First Voorhees Economic Development Symposium Summit that gave our home based and small business owners the opportunity to get information, share ideas and network. Later that evening, I joined Police Chief Lou Bordi and several members of our police department in a Candlelight Vigil service held by FOP Lodge 56 honoring fallen police officers.
On May 7, the Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club hosted it Ninth Annual Trivia Night fundraising event to benefit the Jean Clementi Eastern High School Scholarship Fund.
On the evening of May 9, I enjoyed presenting a Proclamation to Kresson View Center Nursing Home in recognition of National Nursing Home/Assisted Living Week.
On the Morning of May 15, we had a great turnout for a great cause at the Alicia Rose Victorious 5K Run/Walk. The ARVF installs teen lounges and hospitals throughout the world.
On May 18, I enjoyed being part of the Voorhees Business Association’s monthly luncheon meeting at the Black Olive Restaurant. The VBA provides a forum for business persons and businesses in the Voorhees area to meet and to share and discuss concerns and interests of a civic, commercial, cultural and economic nature. That evening, I was pleased to welcome the best youth ice hockey players from around the world to the Skate Zone in Voorhees. They gathered for the World’s Select Invitational Hockey Tournament. The event included six teams from Europe and 16 teams from North America who were in our community for five days, staying in our hotels and eating at our great restaurants!
On May 20, the Voorhees Schools Color Fun Run was held at Connolly Park to raise money to support technology and enhancements at our schools.
On May 21, the 2nd Annual Relay for Life of Cherry Hill-Voorhees drew a great crowd, raising money for the American Cancer Society.
On May 24, I was honored to be part of the Graduation Ceremony of the 1st Voorhees Citizens Police Academy.
On Memorial Day, I was honored to participate in the Annual Memorial Services at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church and Ashland Presbyterian Church. I was once again privileged to be a guest speaker at the Annual Kirkwood Memorial Day Parade that honors the fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
On the evening of June 7, I enjoyed attending “The Life and Times of William Shakespeare,” a wonderful play put on by third graders at Kellman Brown Academy.
On the evening of June 8, I joined members of our police department for an informative meeting with residents of the Prestwick Ave/Dale Ave. neighborhood to discuss crime prevention initiatives.
On the morning of June 9, I enjoyed being part of a panel entitled “Corridors of Construction” sponsored by the Southern NJ Development Council to discuss our “Medical Mile” along Route 73. That evening, I attended the 5th Anniversary Celebration of the Virtua Voorhees medical campus that has been an economic magnet for our community.
On the morning of June 11, the Voorhees Township Police Department held its first “Coffee with a Cop” at Chick-fil-A. Later in the morning, I was part of the Philippine Independence Picnic Celebration. Later in the day, I was honored to be part of the Voorhees Senior Club’s Annual Luncheon. The day was capped off with a great turnout for a wonderful cause at the Animal Welfare Association’s Paws and Feet Doggie Fun Day.
On the morning of June 15, I took part in the Grand Opening of Viking Trail, a wonderful project by the VMS Trailblazers Club, establishing a hiking trail leading from VMS to Stafford Trail. That afternoon we had a great turnout at the monthly luncheon meeting of the VBA at Pasta Pomodoro in Eagle Plaza. That evening, I was proud to host the monthly dinner meeting of the Camden County Mayor’s Association at Rodizio Grill on our Restaurant Row.
On the evening of June 16, a huge crowd turned out at Connolly Park to enjoy Bruce in the USA, the first show in our free Voorhees Summer Concert Series.
On the afternoon of June 23, I was honored to be part of Eastern’s 50th Graduation Ceremony. Congratulations to the Class of 2016!
At our Township Committee meeting on July 11, I was honored to administer the oath to our promoted officers. Congratulations to Cpt. April Herrington, Lt. Daniel Scheets, Lt. William Walsh, Sgt. Joseph Gonnion and Sgt. Derek Hawkins.
On the afternoon of July 16, I enjoyed spending time at Yardley Common honoring Voorhees’ First Responders.
On the evening of July 19, I attended the launch party for the Voorhees Animal Orphanage’s Paw Pal Professionals. The group harnesses its passion for animal rights with its members and their successful business networks to raise funds and awareness for the wonderful work done by the VAO.
On July 20, we had a great turnout at the monthly luncheon meeting of the VBA held at Pasta Pomodoro. Congratulations to VBA scholarship winners Nicholas Andrews and Jillian Frisch.
On the evening of July 21, thousands gathered on a gorgeous night at Connolly Park as part of our Summer Concert Series to enjoy Parrot Beach.
On July 22, I was privileged to participate in the Graduation Ceremony for the 3rd Class of the Voorhees Junior Police Academy.
On the evening of Aug. 2, we had a great turnout at both Kresson School and Osage School for our 2nd Annual National Night Out, a community building campaign that began in 1984 and promotes police community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie striving to make our community a safer and better place in which to live.
Upcoming events include the third show in our Summer Concert Series on Thursday, Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m. featuring EagleMania — The World’s Greatest Eagle’s Tribute Band. The show is free and will be held at Connolly Part.
On August 13, the 1st Annual Bancroft-Chad Gunther Memorial Fund Picnic will be held at Lions Lake Park. At 6 p.m., the fun begins with Wiffle ball games, badminton, Frisbee toss, horseshoes, a beanbag toss and softball toss. At 7 p.m., watch a softball game with players from the Bancroft Special Olympics Silver Medal Winning Team, friends of Bancroft and the Voorhees Girls Softball Association.
The next monthly luncheon meeting of the VBA will be on Wednesday, Aug. 17 at noon at Catelli Duo.
On Saturday August 27, the Cynergy Cycling Club will be hosting the first Voorhees Bike Rodeo. The event will teach kids from ages 5 to 14 foundational riding skills and help them to ride more safely and with more confidence. The Bike Rodeo is a free event and will be held in the parking lot behind Carmike Ritz 16 Theater on Laurel Oak Road. This event is sponsored by the Voorhees Police Department, Voorhees Breakfast Rotary, Columbia Bank, Virtua Health and the Ritz Shopping Center.
