Mayor Mignogna discusses recent, upcoming events
On May 2, I enjoyed discussing Voorhees business with members of the National Association of Women Business Owners of South Jersey at a mixer at Smoothie King.
On May 6, we had a great turnout at our 2nd Annual Car Show in support of the Voorhees Police Foundation. Hundreds of people and 140 cars came out for a great cause.
On the morning of May 10, I attended the meeting of the Key Communicators of Voorhees, a roundtable discussion among key opinion leaders in our community who identify public opinion about the schools and pass along information about the schools in our community.
On the evening of May 11, I joined hundreds at Catelli Duo for a party to raise money for the “Soups and Sweets” Program of the Special Needs Department at the Samost Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Southern New Jersey.
On May 17, I enjoyed being part of the Voorhees Business Association’s monthly luncheon meeting at the Rodizio Grill on our “Restaurant Row.” The VBA provides a forum for businesspersons and businesses in the Voorhees area to meet and to share and discuss concerns and interests of a civic, commercial, cultural and economic nature. That evening, I joined other concerned parents for a compelling program at the Voorhees Middle School entitled “Steered Straight.” The program raises awareness and shares information about the drug epidemic, which affects people in all zip codes. Thanks to the Voorhees Police Department and Voorhees schools for sponsoring the event.
On the evening of May 19, I joined a huge crowd at Connolly Park for the Voorhees Schools Color Fun Run to raise money for enhancements to our schools.
On the morning of May 20, a huge crowd gathered at Eastern Regional High School for the Animal Welfare Association’s Walk/Run, part of the “Paws & Feet” fundraising event. For almost seven decades, the AWA has been providing care and finding homes for animals. Later that morning, our police department, along with the Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club, held a Bike Rodeo at Virtua to teach our kids about bicycle safety.
On the morning of May 21, it was a great turnout for a great cause at the Alicia Rose Victorious 5K Run/Walk. The ARVF installs teen lounges in hospitals throughout the world. Later that afternoon, I was honored to be part of the 1st Annual Chad Gunther Memorial Fund Picnic and Softball Game at our Lions Lake Softball Complex. The free event showcased the good work being done by Bancroft, the Voorhees Girls Softball Association and the Gunther Foundation for special athletes.
On May 23, I was honored to be part of the Graduation Ceremony of the 2nd Voorhees Citizens Police Academy. Our 21 graduates spent 10 weeks learning to appreciate our men and women in blue and getting a taste of police life.
On the evening of May 26, we kicked off the 35th Annual Voorhees Memorial Day Soccer Tournament with the ribbon cutting for our new turf field at our soccer complex.
On Memorial Day, I was honored to participate in the Annual Memorial Day Services at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church and Ashland Presbyterian Church. I was once again privileged to be guest speaker at the Annual Kirkwood Memorial Day Parade, which honors the fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
On the morning of June 10, I was part of the Philippine Independence Picnic Celebration at Cooper River Park. Hundreds enjoyed a day-long celebration of the Filipino heritage. Later in the day, I was honored to be part of the Voorhees Senior Club’s Annual Luncheon and administer oaths to the new officers.
On the evening of June 13, I attended a fundraiser at The Mansion for “Right In Our Backyard,” an addiction awareness program started by Voorhees resident, Gregg Wolfe, in memory of his son Justin, who lost his life to heroin addiction. All proceeds went to the JFCS of Southern New Jersey.
On the afternoon of June 15, I joined members of our Police Department at Voorhees Middle School for a ceremony honoring the 1st Graduating Class of our Law Enforcement Against Drug Program. LEAD promotes positive, healthy relationships as well as a resistance to substance abuse and conflict.
On June 17, the Grand Opening of the Oink & Moo BBQ Restaurant at the Ritz Center in Voorhees was held.
On June 20, the first audition for “Voorhees Got Talent” was held at the Voorhees Town Center. The second audition was held on June 22 at Connolly Park.
On June 21, I enjoyed being part of the VBA’s monthly luncheon meeting at Rodizio Grill. That evening, I was proud to show off our “Restaurant Row” as host of the monthly dinner meeting of the Camden County Mayor’s Association, also held at Rodizio Grill.
On the afternoon of June 22, I was honored to participate in Eastern’s 51st Graduation Ceremony. That evening, we kicked off our 2017 Summer Concert Series with a huge crowd at Connolly Park enjoying a “Beer Garden,” food trucks and the Beginnings, the World’s #1 Tribute to Chicago.
Upcoming events include the “Smiles from Kara” 5K Run/Walk to be held on Tuesday, July 11. The registration begins at 5:30 p.m. and the run/walk begins at 7 p.m. at Eastern Regional High School. Proceeds will be used to provide financial assistance for registration fees, scholarships and donations to local charitable events.
The Voorhees Police Department will hold its 4th Annual Junior Police Academy from July 17 to July 21. The program teaches our young people from the ages of 12 to 17 to appreciate and respect the duties of a police officer. Interested parents and applicants can contact Lt. William Walsh at (856) 882–1107 or at [email protected]. Applications and forms for the Jr. Police Academy can be found at vtpd.com/gpa.
The second show in our Summer Concert Series will be Thursday, July 20, and will feature Tusk The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute. Tusk covers the greatest hits of Fleetwood Mac and their more than 30 years of making music. The show is free and starts at 7:30 p.m. at Connolly Park. The “Beer Garden” and food trucks will open at 6:30 p.m. At 6 p.m. on the stage, the semifinal competition of “Voorhees Got Talent” will be held.
On Thursday, July 27 at 7 p.m., the finals of “Voorhees Got Talent” will be held at Eastern Regional High School Theater. First Place Prize is $1,000 and second place prize is $500.
Our 3rd Annual National Night Out will be on Tuesday, Aug. 1, beginning at 6 p.m. at Connolly Park. The VTPD does a great job in organizing this community event. The evening promotes police community partnership and neighborhood camaraderie while striving to make our neighborhoods safer. Residents get a chance to meet our police officers and enjoy carnival attractions, games, music, great food and more.
