By: Follow South Jersey Staff
CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers will donate $120,000 to the Camden County Police Department to fund youth fitness initiatives throughout Camden City, Camden County officials announced recently.
The donation will be made through the Sixers Youth Foundation to enhance and expand several programs in the Camden County Police Department’s Village Initiative, including the open gym and resource nights. It is the the largest private donation ever to the department.
“This donation is a game changer for the department and will allow us to continue showing up for our community,” CCPD Chief Gabriel Rodriguez said in a press release from the county. “With this money, we can continue to host these events that give children and teenagers safe places to spend time and families to connect with needed services. These funds will also help support the department’s various other youth-centered initiatives around the city that include carnivals and block parties during summer months, reading programs and other events.”
According to the county press release, “the Camden County Police Department’s community outreach team facilitates programming throughout the city for youth including the popular Hoop it Up program every Thursday and Friday nights throughout the year. In addition, other weekly programs include Bookmates, dodgeball, flag football, movie nights, block party barbecues and meet the officer events in the city and county park systems. Also, the department has set up mentor programs in the school district and has adopted families throughout the city amongst variety of other initiatives.”
“From the start, this agency has been focused on community engagement and facilitating a lifelong dialogue in order to become part of the fabric of the city,” Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli said. “This investment by the Sixers underscores the importance of the work we do with our residents on daily basis with a focus on our youth in Camden. I want to thank them for walking the walk and being an important part of our village here in Camden County.”
- Kathy Anne English’s “Paint America” Exhibition Displayed at Perkins Center for the Arts
- WATCH: What’s Good in South Jersey? Equip Training Ministries
- Intense Weather Patterns in NJ: Is This the New Normal?
Follow South Jersey provides local journalism which highlights our diverse communities; fosters transparency through robust, localized, and vital reporting that holds leaders and institutions accountable; addresses critical information needs; supports people in navigating civic life; and equips people with the information necessary to partake in effective community engagement. If there is a story or event you think we should cover, please send your tips to news@followsouthjersey.com with “NEWS” in the subject line.
