By: Isaiah S. Showell, Follow South Jersey Multimedia Journalist/’What’s Good’ Host
BRIDGETON, N.J. — Family Day of Service is an annual event where families from South Jersey get to do community service together, and the events are focused on catering to the family. The Alms Center, Appel Farm, and Maurice River Township Elementary had different events set up where families could participate and build long lasting memories.
The Alms Center hosted a resource fair for families and had different vendors set up tables with the same goal, helping as many families as they can. Court Appointed Special Advocates of Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem Counties (CASA CGS) Program Director Jennifer Henderson came out to scout volunteers for CASA.
“We desperately need volunteers right now,” Henderson said. “The age requirement is twenty-one and you do not need any special education for this you just have to love children and want to provide a voice for them in court.”
Adjacent to CASA and their table was Cheryl Chavis, the Rutgers Southern Regional Family Engagement Manager, who was there offering child service resources and informing the people that they cover five counties and Chavis is over all of them.
Over at Maurice River Township Elementary, the students, led by Richelle Oliver, made chemo bags in honor of the late Ms. Reeves, a teacher who lost her fight with cancer. The students involved were eager to help because for some students, like Thomas Repasy, cancer hits home for him.
“Cancer really means a lot to me because my mom had thyroid cancer and she spent seven days in the hospital,” Repasy said. “I just want to help because I feel like it’s good to make people happy and make them forget about what they have.”
Over at Appel Farm, Ben Fink, taught improvisation acting classes to families to not only have fun but learn how to listen to your scene partner in the scenario. The Arts Fest was also happening at Appel Farm where several art projects were happening simultaneously all on Christina Hill’s watch, the Integration and Steam Education Director.
“I love seeing people do art,” Hill said. “I love seeing kids be themselves on stage. That’s what I see when I see kids engrossed in their art, they beam.”
Special thank you to the Alms Center, Maurice River Township Elementary, and Appel Farm for contributing to several families being together and serving. You’re all definitely What’s Good in South Jersey!
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