“There is joy in work. There is no happiness except in the realization that we have
accomplished something.” – Henry Ford
It has been 137 years since New Jersey established Labor Day as a holiday. In 1887, Oregon was the first state to grant legal status to the holiday but listed the date as the first Saturday in June. That same year, Colorado, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey adopted the holiday and proclaimed it be observed on the first Monday in September.
In 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a bill recognizing the first Monday in September as a national holiday. The initial idea for Labor Day as a general labor festival originated in Canada in 1872, which today also celebrates its Labor Day on the first Monday in September. Our holiday traces its roots back to 1882, when Peter McGuire, a union leader, suggested that there be a celebration honoring American workers and organized a parade in New York City.
Initially, few participated and organizers worried that workers had been reluctant to surrender a day’s pay to join the rally. But soon the crowds began flowing in from across the city and by the end of the day, it was estimated that 10,000 people had marched in the parade and joined the festivities afterward in what the press dubbed “a day of the people.” McGuire said there was no particular significance to the date and it was chosen because it fell roughly halfway between the 4th of July and Thanksgiving.
Labor Day is a continuing national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country. Enjoy a day off, but take a moment to pay tribute to America’s labor force.
The Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club will be hosting their second annual community yard sale on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Town Center. The free event will happen rain or shine. The resident/vendor fee is $30; township residency is not required. The food truck fee will be 10% of proceeds. For more information, contact Sue Bromley at (609) 217-6235 or sbromley14@gmail.com
Voorhees Township Public Works, in cooperation with the Camden County Board of Commissioners and Tab Shredding, is hosting a free paper shredding event on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Town Center. For more information, call public works at (856)428-5499.
The Animal Welfare Association will open its doors and campus for an afternoon of family fun at the Howl-O-Ween Trunk or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. Kids and furry friends can enjoy the outdoor activities, rain or shine. Enter the 50/50 cash raffle or participate in costume contests. Admission is free. Register to decorate a trunk at https://give.awanj.org/HowlOWeen-2024. For more information,
contact Meggin Olivo at (856)424-2288 x113.
The Camden County Board of Elections needs poll workers for the upcoming election. This year, the board is hiring employees 16 and over for $300 a day, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 5. For more information, call (856) 401-8683.
Voorhees Township is once again partnering with Morey’s Piers to offer discounted tickets to for the amusement piers on the boardwalk in Wildwood. Tickets may be obtained in person from the office of the township clerk at (856) 429-7757 and are payable by cash only. Tickets are available to residents and non-residents.
