CAMDEN GIVES BACK: NEWS FROM THE HOLIDAY SEASON
The holiday spirit is emanating from all across Camden this year, with local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders coming together to make the last few weeks of 2018 as bright for as many Camden residents as possible. From providing warm holiday meals to collecting toys, winter coats, and books, members of the Camden community have been working around the clock to help their neighbors find comfort this holiday season – and each in their own special way. Learn just how our partners have been spreading the joy of the season by continuing to read below.
COOPER UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE AND THE COOPER FOUNDATION ADOPT 150 FAMILIES
SUBARU OF AMERICA DONATES MORE THAN 5,000 SCIENCE BOOKS TO CAMDEN SCHOOLS
Subaru of America was proud to donate more than 5,000 science books to twenty Camden schools this year, continuing the company’s commitment to education as part of its Subaru Loves Learning initiative. Earlier this week, Subaru of America President and CEO, Thomas J. Doll, joined Acting State Superintendent Katrina McCombs to personally deliver the donated books to the Harry C. Sharp Elementary School. Alongside Doll, Subaru executives and employees volunteered to deliver the new books to 20 elementary, middle, and high schools across the city in honor of the automaker's community commitment to its new home, Camden.
CAMDEN COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT HAND-DELIVER 5,000 TOYS TO 200 CHILDREN
More than 300 Camden County police officers played the role of Santa this year – with many even dressing the part! – delivering approximately 5,000 toys to the homes of more than 200 Camden children. The officers worked with local church and community organizations to identify and give to area families in most need of assistance – and whose children will never forget the excitement of seeing Jolly Old Saint Nick knock on their front doors.
JAWS YOUTH PLAYBOOK TEAMS UP WITH RAY & JOAN KROC CORPS COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE SALVATION ARMY
Ron Jaworski's foundation, the Jaws Youth Playbook, recently teamed up with Camden's Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center and the Salvation Army to host a holiday bike drive, where they assembled 200 bikes in less than one hour (!) and then proceeded to deliver them to 2nd and 3rd graders belonging to the Kroc Center. Together, the Jaws Youth Playbook and Kroc Center succeeded in their mission to bring health, wellness, and a whole lot of fun to at-risk Camden youth this holiday season.
MALCOM JENKINS AND THE MALCOM JENKINS FOUNDATION DELIVER MEALS TO FAMILIES
Each year since 2011, The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation has provided festive baskets filled with turkeys and all the trimmings needed to prepare a holiday feast to hundreds of families across the three cities where Malcolm Jenkins has lived – including right here in Camden. This year, with a financial grant from BNY Mellon, an in-kind sponsorship from Brown ShopRite, and a partnership with the City of Camden, the Foundation has expanded its program to include 140 Camden families – and also provided every child under age 15 with toys and gifts.
CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY PROVIDES CLASSIC FAVORITES FOR ANNUAL HOLIDAY FEAST
For the fifth year in a row, officials from Campbell Soup Company partnered with representatives from Camden's Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center and the Salvation Army for their annual holiday dinner. Together they served more than 250 Camden residents roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and other classic favorites – and even scheduled an appearance by Santa Claus himself for the dinner’s younger participants.
KIPP LANNING SQUARE CREATES HOLIDAY SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
KIPP Cooper Norcross Lanning Square Middle School was recently featured in SNJ Today for its annual Day of Giving, an event which allows middle school students and their families who cannot afford to buy holiday gifts to come to the school and "shop" a selection of donated items for children and adults. Lockheed Martin's Camden office joined the school's staff in collecting toys and clothes, and on the day of the event, parents receive tickets for each member of their family. This year, the renaissance school has also started the "KIPP Closet" — a collection of gently used coats, hats, gloves and other clothing donated by the school’s teachers and which are available to students and families who need them.
"TEDDY'S TOYS" AT ADVENTURE AQUARIUM A BIG SUCCESS
This past weekend, the City of Camden hosted hundreds of Camden families and children at "Teddy's Toys" at Adventure Aquarium. Scungio Borst Associates and the Scungio Borst Foundation helped raise money for the event's festivities, which included refreshments, carriage rides, and Santa -- who of course made sure every child there under 13 received a gift. A very merry time was had by all!
LOURDES PROFESSIONALS SHARE THEIR BLESSINGS WITH THOSE LESS FORTUNATE
Every year, Lourdes colleagues join together to support less fortunate families through its long-celebrated "Share and Care program." Lourdes departments are asked to create themed baskets that are raffled off to raise money for meals for families during the Thanksgiving holiday, and for Christmas, they once again team together to lovingly buy and wrap gifts for local families. The Share and Care tradition began 28 years ago at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden, and every year since a special holiday blessing has been held there and attended by staff and local residents. This year's blessing will take place Wednesday, December 19th, at 10:00 A.M. in the hospital's chapel -- all are welcome to attend this heartwarming event.
AND REMEMBER...
Metered parking in Camden is FREE beginning Monday, December 17th, until January 2nd, 2019. Be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to shop in downtown Camden and support its small business community!
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