Mayor Joann Gattinelli talks about recent and upcoming events in Washington Township.
Gobble Up Hunger Event
On Nov. 22, I was happy to be one of the many volunteers who delivered Thanksgiving meals to approximately 300 families along with Councilwoman Angela Donato, Council Vice President Sean Longfellow and administrative assistant Lori Morello. The meals were provided by the generous community in Washington Township and the school staff who organized the Gobble Up Hunger Food Drive. I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved for their donations and time helping organizing and distributing the meals. Also, thank you to the COW Project for organizing this food drive and coordinating with our schools and community to deliver the food to families so they could enjoy this Thanksgiving holiday.
Shop with a Cop
The Washington Township Police Department will once again be hosting its Shop with a Cop event on Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. The purpose of Shop with a Cop is to provide children in need with a fun-filled day. The police department has been organizing and collecting donations to prepare for the day. I am proud of community programs like these, because they promote positive relationships between the Washington Township Police Officers and the community. Children, kindergarten to sixth grade who were selected for this program, will start at police headquarters to eat some pizza, and then will “shop with a cop” to purchase holiday gifts for members of their families. Once the shopping is done, the children will be able to wrap their gifts with the police officers. Thank you to all who have donated to make this event possible, and thank you to our police department for your donations and your time organizing this program.
Holiday Happenings
I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday with friends and families. Continuing with the holiday spirit, I would like to invite everyone to our Annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at Washington Lake Park on Friday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. There will be much fun to be had by all. Bring your children to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. There will also be Christmas carols sung by the Washington Township High School choir. Don’t forget to bring your cameras to capture this fun and exciting event. Cookies and hot chocolate will also be available. I hope to see everyone there.
Joann Gattinelli is the Mayor of Washington Township. She can be reached at mayorgattinelli@twp.washington.nj.us.
