Weekly Roundup: upcoming blood drives in town, Board of Education VP honored as “Friend of Education”
In other news, Washington Township Council met on Wednesday, April 11.
Washington Township has two Red Cross blood drives coming up, and Bob Abbott, Board of Education Vice President, was recently awarded the “Friend of Education” award by the Gloucester County Education Assocation. Catch up on this week’s top stories in our Weekly Roundup:
Blood Drives
Mayor Joann Gattinelli announced the upcoming “Battle of the Badges” Red Cross blood drive, happening on May 1 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the municipal building. The drive will be a friendly competition between the Washington Township police and fire departments, and donors must choose which department they would like their donation to go towards: Team Police or Team Fire. To register, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code “Washington Township BOB.”
Additionally, Washington Township Public Schools will team with the Penn-Jersey Region of the American Red Cross for a blood drive on Wednesday, May 2, from noon to 5 p.m. in the Eileen Abbott Central Administration Building — located at 206 East Holly Ave. in Sewell.To schedule your 15-minute appointment, contact Cheryl Jones at (856) 589–6644 ext. 6607, or visit the online scheduler at www.redcrossblood.org/, sponsor code “Washington Township School.”
Bob Abbott receives “Friend of Education” award
Washington Township Board of Education Vice President Bob Abbott was recently honored with the Gloucester County Education Association’s Friend of Education Award for 2018. Abbott, whose children and grandchildren have gone through the district, previously served as PTA president at Birches Elementary School back in the ’70s, and started the Washington Township Presidents’ Council — a group comprised of PTO and Home and School Council representatives from each school in the district — as well as the Birches Craft Show. Abbott has served on the board of education for six years, and has been vice president for five — his role in the district stemmed from the influence of his wife, Eileen, who served on the board for 27 years and was president for eight.
Council business
At the Washington Township Council meeting on Wednesday, April 11, council approved five resolutions, including three that would award contracts for roadway improvements and a resolution for police to participate in the Law Enforcement Support Office program, a requirement to enable the department to buy surplus equipment from the government.
Council also announced a handful of upcoming events throughout the township, including “Earth Month” events, the Washington Township High School Food Truck Festival to benefit Project Graduation and the Fourth of July parade. Council Vice President Sean Longfellow said in lieu of Earth Day, the environmental commission would be hosting a variety of events throughout the month.
Additionally, council adopted ordinance 007–2018, adding a no parking area to the entire frontage of Hurffville-Cross Keys Road of an area being developed, and introduced ordinance 009–2018, which seeks to extend the commercial industrial zoning designation to encompass the entire property of 268 Hurffville-Cross Keys Road. Solicitor Stuart Platt explained the ordinance is just extending the zone line on a piece of property that is partially zone-rural — which is residential — and partially zone-commercial industrial.
Third WTHS teacher accepted to National Energy Education Conference
WTHS teacher Robin Duym has been accepted to attend the National Energy Education Development Project’s 2018 Energy Conference for Educators, from July 8 through 12, in Galveston, Texas. The 2018 NEED Energy Conference for Educators brings together educators who are passionate about bringing energy education to their classrooms. In five interactive days in Galveston, the conference provides teachers with the most up-to-date information on all aspects of energy, including the science of energy, sources of energy, transportation, electricity, efficiency, and environmental and economic impacts. Duym will join colleagues Nivedia Shukla and Lorri Zeiders, who were accepted to the conference in February.
Washington Township resident addresses NJ water challenges
Washington Township resident Nicholas DeVecchis was recently appointed to a three-year term on the board of trustees of the American Water Works Association of New Jersey, a volunteer position that will allow him to provide guidance to AWWA NJ and address the state’s water challenges. DeVecchis has served as chairman of the New Jersey section of Water for People, an international nonprofit started by the AWWA, that assists in providing clean water and basic sanitation services for those in need. DeVecchis said some of the challenges New Jersey faces include supply and resilience, as well as bringing young, new faces to the industry.
Arrest made in Washington Township
A Brooklawn man has been arrested on attempted murder and related charges in connection with the shooting of a Maple Shade woman on Saturday, April 7, Gloucester County Prosecutor Charles Fiore announced. The 41 year-old was taken into custody without incident in an overnight motor vehicle stop in Brooklawn, shortly before a search warrant was executed at his residence. He is charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and making terroristic threats. He is being held pending a detention hearing in Superior Court, in Woodbury. The man allegedly shot the 41-year-old woman four times during an argument, in a vehicle parked at the Millstream Apartments in Washington Township.
Jefferson Health offers free “Teddy Bear Clinic” on Sunday, April 22
Several Jefferson Health locations, including the Washington Township, NJ Surgery Center, will offer Teddy Bear Clinics on April 22, to tie in with the health care organization’s support and sponsorship of the Philadelphia Science Festival, happening through April 28. The free “Be a Doctor Teddy Bear Clinic” is open to all children and their families. Registration is not required. Kids will have the opportunity to “gown-up” with real doctors and nurses, working with them side by side to give their teddy bear, stuffed animal or favorite doll a check-up, or “diagnose” a possible concern. The children receive a healthy snack at the event. For more information, call (856) 566–2098.
Gloucester County Women’s Club prepares 60 baskets for mothers in need
The GFWC Gloucester County Women’s Club, a nonprofit organization, volunteered at the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation headquarters in Washington Township on Thursday, April 5, to work on the Mother’s Matter gift basket project. This project involves putting together color-coordinated baskets filled with personal care and beauty products for Mother’s Day. The baskets are given to mothers who are experiencing hardships. Club members put together 60 baskets and helped inventory the hundreds of personal care and beauty products received through various businesses and organizations. For more info on this organization, visit www.laurenslegacy.org.
