Breast Cancer Awareness Month
2020 has been a powerful reminder that we are all in this together. Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as comfort care of this disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. This October and everyday we are supporting fighters, admiring the survivors and honoring the men and women taken and never giving up on hope.
National Domestic Awareness
As this month comes to an end, I want to remind residents and recognize October as National Domestic Violence Month. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, please reach out for help. Every nine seconds, a woman in the United States is beaten or assaulted by a current or ex-significant other. 1 in 4 men are victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.
In 1989, Congress passed Public Law 101-112, officially designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Such legislation has been passed each subsequent year. Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the “Day of Unity” first held in October 1981 and was conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Across the country, families and friends of victims have gathered during Domestic Violence Awareness Month to remember and honor their loved ones who have lost their lives at the hands of a person they once loved and trusted. Shelters and local programs help raise awareness about the crime of domestic violence in their communities, and local governments recognize our collective efforts to end violence. If you are in need of help or assistance please dial 911 or contact the National Domestic Violence hotline for victims or survivors at 1.800.799.7233 or visit www.centerffs.org/serv/domestic-violence-services.
Ribbon Cutting
On Wednesday October 14, Council President Joe Perry and I, along with the Washington Township Chamber of Commerce, went to offer Dr. Cavalloro, his family and staff well wishes at his new location providing aesthetics and wellness at the new office. Our business community is getting stronger each and every day. We love seeing all of these new businesses choose Washington Township. I wish him much success at his new location.
Special visit
On Thursday October 15, I had the opportunity to sit down with the talented Anthony Castenova, who makes pewter souvenir plates for former and present Presidents, Popes and a few elected officials and sport teams. We spoke about the history of these Miracle Souvenir plates. Mr. Castenova also shared with me letters from Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II, the Clinton family and more. These plates are made not only for purchase, but for charities to raise money for the less fortunate. I would like to thank Mr. Castenova for his thoughtfulness and kindness for coming to visit me at the municipal building. His goal right now is to make more pewter plates and add on future leaders to those plates. I am looking forward to seeing Mr. Castenova again with more stories and letters.
Shred Day Event
Let’s come together to reduce clutter! The Township is hosting a Shred Day on Nov.7, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Washington Township Municipal Building. Bring your bags or boxes of paper to be shredded. An experienced operator from Docu Vault Delaware Valley will move the bins to a highly secure, mobile shredding unit where your confidential material will be destroyed before your eyes. Take advantage of this opportunity to clean out and purge your personal records.
Please keep in mind only paper is accepted. No plastic bags or metal, including 3-ring binders and binder clips. Paper clips and staples are OK. LIMIT to 4 bags/boxes per car. Our next shred event will be held in the spring of 2021 and the date/time is To Be Determined. Take this opportunity to protect yourself and your family from identity theft and take a step toward GOING GREEN. 100 percent of the shredded paper is recycled. Washington Township residents please bring ID’s as they will be checked to confirm residency. Please contact Lisa Collins for more information at [email protected].
PLEASE CONTINUE TO WEAR A MASK AND MAINTAIN A SOCIAL DISTANCE of 6 FEET IN ORDER TO AVOID THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.
Joann Gattinelli is the Mayor of Washington Township. She can be reached at [email protected].
