SoJo Heroes

SoJO Heroes Presented By Turnersville Auto Mall

Click Here to see past South Jersey's Heroes

Click here to nominate your Hero



Dawn Schauer nominates Steve Pineiro of Williamstown.

Click here and listen to Marc's interview with Steve.

She writes:

Steve (second from the right in the back row above) is my daughter’s Alexis’ softball coach. They are a tounament team called South Jersey Rage,  a 10u team. He’s been a great hero to her and has brought out the best in her and all the girls on the team.

Alexis is hearing impaired and wears coclear implants. He’s taught her that she can do anything and she looks up to him as a big hero in her life because he believed in her and knew she could play the game. He’s praised her when she did well, talked to her when she made a mistake,  explained how to fix it and what to do to improve her skills for the next time.

Steve is great with all the girls on the team. It would mean a lot to Alexis for him to be picked as a SoJO Hero so she can give something back to her coach. To know Steve is to love him; he is truly a great person that has made a difference in my daughter’s life.


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SoJo Hero

 

SoJO salutes Upper Township's Own  Lauren and Conrad Schmidt, true SoJO Heroes!

Conrad Schmidt (left) and his sister Lauren Schmidt will host their 4th annual Alex's Lemonade Stand on Saturday, June 13 from 12 noon - 3 p.m. at the Trolley Stop Ice Cream Shop, 809 Route 9 South, Cape May Court House rain or shine.

All proceeds benefit childhood cancer research.

Lauren Schmidt, 10, is an Upper Township Elementary School Fourth Grader & Conrad Schmidt, 7, a First Grader who attends Upper Township Primary School will host the stand.   The Schmidt Kids’ Alex’s Lemonade Stand is dedicated to their grandmother, Diane Adelizzi.  This is the fourth year the Schmidt’s have hosted a stand.  

Schmidt Kids’ Alex’s Lemonade Stand is part of ‘Lemonade Days,’ a nationwide initiative to heighten awareness and raise money for childhood cancer research. All proceeds from the stand will be donated to the Alex Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). ALSF grew out of the front yard lemonade stand started by Alexandra ‘Alex’ Scott, a pediatric cancer patient. In 2000, at age four, Alex opened her first annual lemonade stand with high hopes of raising money for pediatric cancer causes, specifically research into a cure. After fighting her own battle with cancer for over seven years, she died peacefully at home in August 2004.  ALSF has raised $18 million for childhood cancer research.

For those who prefer to donate online - The Schmidt Kids’ Alex’s Lemonade Stand online donation website: firstgiving.com/schmidtkids. Online donations will be accepted for up to one year.

Katie Crider



Courtney Elentrio

The Arthritis Foundation, New Jersey Chapter has named Courtney Elentrio of Brigantine the Youth Chair, and Katie Crider of Galloway the Young Adult Chair, of the 2009 Ocean City Arthritis Walk to be held at the Music Pier May 9th.  Both Courtney and Katie get the opportunity to speak about their lives with arthritis, and serve as leaders along with many other volunteers who are eager to make a difference in the lives of people living with arthritis.


The Arthritis Walk is the Arthritis Foundation’s annual signature event that takes place in communities nationwide to raise funds and awareness to fight arthritis, a leading cause of disability in the United States. This spring, Arthritis Walk events will kick off in more than 400 communities across the United States.

“I had to miss a lot of school and my singing lessons because of doctor’s appointments,” recalls Katie, who was diagnosed with Juvenile Polyarthritis when she was just 15-years-old. A nursing major at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Katie has always believed in staying upbeat and positive. “Being diagnosed with arthritis has really made me mature because I learnt how to handle both positive and negative situations with a smile on my face,” says Katie.

As this year’s Young Adult Chair, Katie’s main goal is to create awareness that kids can get Arthritis too and that the Arthritis Foundation is there to help. “When I was first diagnosed, I had no idea that young people could get arthritis,” remembers Katie. "As Youth Chair, I really want to help other young adults cope with arthritis," says Katie.

Diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis when she was just 2 years old, Courtney Elentrio refuses to let anything stand in her way. “I love swimming, playing soccer and hanging out with my friends,” says Courtney, who attributes her success to support and encouragement from her Nan. 

As Youth Chair, Courtney would like to raise enough money and spread awareness about Juvenile Arthritis. “I hope to inspire more children to get involved with the Arthritis Foundation because it’s a great way for young people to meet others just like them and learn that they are not alone,” says Courtney. 

The Arthritis Walk is a community event in its truest sense. Teams from schools, churches, local businesses, civic groups, and neighborhoods come together to show support for those who battle this disease. Teams are forming now for the Arthritis Walk on Saturday, May 9th at Music Pier in Ocean City. To register a team or volunteer, contact the Arthritis Foundation at 732 283 4300 or register online at arthritis.org, keyword: New Jersey.

The Arthritis Foundation is the only nationwide, nonprofit health organization helping people take greater control of arthritis by leading efforts to prevent, control, and cure arthritis and related diseases – one of the nation’s leading causes of disability.

 


Maple Shade's Eric Solon, serving in the United States Air Force is welcomed home by students at the Maude Wilkins School.


Eric Salon receives a comendation from Township of Maple Shade Council Member Jack Galloway.

Sme of the things The Yellow Ribbon Committee has been sending include:
              

        Letters and cards

        Magazines

        Travel Edition Games

        DVDs and CDs

        Sun Block

        Fly Strips

        Baby Wipes

        Toothpaste

        Tooth Brushes

        Shaving Gel

        Plain White Socks

        Disposable Razors

        Foot Powder

        Soap

        Shampoo and Conditioner

        Powdered Drink Mixes

        Tuna and Chicken in cans or pouches

        Snacks

        Soup Mix

        Candy

SoJO salutes Maple Shade's Own Yellow Ribbon Committee, true SoJO Heroes!  They help provide a taste of home to local service members serving our country overseas...and they need your help!

This is the letter they sent Marc.

Dear Marc,
        
        The Yellow Ribbon Committee of Maple Shade has been organized by a small group residents to provide a taste of home to local service members serving our Country overseas. All of our members have been touched by the Military in some way. We are parents, spouses, friends, or previous Military members. Over the past few months, our fledgling organization has been collecting necessities to be sent to our Hometown Heroes. Our list of items includes things such as plain white socks, baby wipes, lip balm, sun block, magazines and snacks to name a few. We are quickly learning, however, that you can not pay for postage with desire and ambition alone.

        In these trying economic times, people are shutting their wallets trying to get by. It's small organizations like ours that are hit pretty hard even when most people believe in the cause. Any donation, no matter how small is truly appreciated. If every one of your listeners donated $1, we would have enough to send packages for the rest of the year (or darn close).

        We would be grateful for any help you could provide in getting our message out to the general public in support of our Hometown Heroes.  

Respectfully submitted,

        Mary K. Smallenburg

       Yellow Ribbon Committee

Drop-off locations for donations are:

Maple Shade Municipal Complex
200 North Stiles Avenue in Maple Shade

Columbia Bank on East Main Street in Maple Shade.

Monetary Donations can be mailed to:

Columbia Bank
Maple Shade Yellow Ribbon Committee
253 East Main Street
Maple Shade, NJ 08052

For more information:

MSYRC@ymail.com

609-502-2186



 


Girl Scout Troop 30975 members (L to R) Brittany Sullivan, Staci Jones, interim troop leader Irene Sullivan, Paige Perrottet, Donna Mealey, Jessica Dybus, Caitlyn Sullivan, and Victoria Staley take stock of Girl Scout cookies they intend to sell to raise money for Perrottet's mother Jennie who suffered a massive heart attack.

Paige Perrottet hugs her father Robert as they are backed up by the rest of her Girl Scout Troop 30975 who intend to sell Girl Scout cookies to raise money for Perrottet's mother Jennie who suffered a massive heart attack.

Girl Scout Troop 30975 members (L to R) Brittany Sullivan, Staci Jones, interim troop leader Irene Sullivan, Paige Perrottet, Donna Mealey, Jessica Dybus, Caitlyn Sullivan, and Victoria Staley take stock of Girl Scout cookies they intend to sell to raise money for Perrottet's mother Jennie who suffered a massive heart attack.

 

 

Scouts raise more than $3,000 for ill leader

A South Jersey Girl Scout troop has raised more than $3,000 for its hospitalized troop leader's family through the sale of Girl Scout cookies.

When their leader, Jennie Perrottet, 44, of Berlin Township, had a massive heart attack in January, the Cadette Girl Scout Troop 30975 in Berlin Borough unanimously agreed to donate the proceeds to the struggling family.

The girls worked for four to eight hours a day Saturdays and Sundays for the last five weekends and sold 3,311 boxes of cookies.

They also sacrificed a summer white-water rafting trip to help the family.

"The girls were very excited to do this," said Irene Sullivan, 35, of Berlin Borough, a single mom who took over the leader's duties. "There are still donations coming in that we haven't received and there are other troops donating money."

The girls are expected to present the money to Perrottet's husband, Robert, on Tuesday.

"I have to thank Irene," Robert Perrottet said. "They've been wonderful. Somebody not rich going out of their way to put time and effort into helping someone else -- it's great."

Jennie Perrottet remains at Kindred Hospital in Philadelphia and is in a rehabilitation program.

"This is a long process and takes time," her husband said. "This is new for me. It's been really rough."

Robert Perrottet was laid off from a trucking job and Jennie Perrottet had taken on two jobs to support the family, including their daughter, Paige, 13, a member of the Girl Scout troop.

"My family has helped out a lot," he said. "If not for them, I don't know where I would be, especially financially. The bills will be enormous."

News of the selfless act of the Girl Scouts spread to one business, which stepped up to help the girls with a summer trip.

Michael Rose of Academy Fire Protection in New York City donated money for the girls to be able to go on their rafting trip.

"It's been crazy, but it's slowing down now," Sullivan said.

 

 

Ocean Gate man breaks another Guiness World Record

It looks like the third time's the charm for borough resident Rob Beaton, who late last year broke his third Guinness World Record as part of Guinness World Record Week.

"It was pretty exciting. Everything was very fast-paced," said Beaton, 30, computer technician for the Toms River Regional School District. "The whole thing happened so quickly that I didn't have the time to be nervous."

The Ocean Gate resident first attracted publicity in January 2007, when he broke the record for holding the most eggs (17) in one hand for 10 seconds. That record since has been broken. Last November, Beaton used chopsticks to eat the most single grains of rice in three minutes, eating 78 and breaking the previous record of 64.

The third record was a new one, created as a variation of the three-minute rice record. Beaton had to eat the largest number of single grains of rice in one minute, creating a new record of 23 grains.

"I had about a week to prepare, and I was cramming at the end," he said. "I think I can rebreak it. I know I can do better."

Beaton was featured in the 2009 edition of the Guinness World Records in the extreme cuisine section for his three-minute rice record.

Ocean Gate Mayor Paul J. Kennedy called Beaton immediately after to congratulate him.

"It's a great thing for Rob. He's a very nice man," said Kennedy, who recently gave Beaton a proclamation at a town meeting. "I'm proud to say that he's an Ocean Gate resident, and good things come from small towns. I'm looking forward to his next attempt, whatever he decides to do."

Lucky students earn slot at Obama's inauguration

SoJO Salutes Deptford's Own Vicki Whitby(top left) , along with Jessica Stern (bottom) and Xavier Howard (top right) , true SoJO Heroes whose performance at a state leadership conference earned the teens "VIP status" at Barak Obama's inauguration! Read more by clicking here!

Click here and
isten to Kate's interview

Margate Girls Help Those In Need For Thanksgiving

After hearing about the tough economic times and seeing how the Community Food Bank can't keep their shelves stocked, four young girls from Margate spent the past few months raising money to help those in need. With Thanksgiving just a few short weeks away, Jennifer Husko tells us those little girls have found a way to give back in a big way.

10-year-old Kate Dulac has been giving to the Community Food Bank of South Jersey since she was just four years old. "Every year around Thanksgiving I give whatever is in my piggy bank," said Kate Dulac.

"She was just absolutely, just so passionate about what she was doing," said Evelyn Benton, Director of the Southern Branch of the Community Food bank.

She's followed through with it every single thanksgiving, and this year with the help of her 7-year-old sister Chloe and friends, 10-year-old Georgia and 8-year-old Isabella Turner spent the past 2 months raising money for the food bank. The girls held a bake sale, yard sale, coin jar collection and candy gram sale.

"These girls worked so hard," said Georgia and Isabella’s mom, Lirone Turner.

"They came up with the ideas of fundraisers, worked every one, counted every penny, really were a part of every aspect of it which made it that much more special," said Laura Dulac, Kate and Chloe’s mom.

They set out to raise $800 dollars, but through the communities generosity and their piggy bank contributions raised over $4 thousand dollars...proving that every penny really does count. "You don't have to have a lot of money especially in the economic times right now, that even if you can give a little, it helps," said Laura Dulac.

They say it's not how much you give but making a difference in someone's life that matters, the money the girls raised will help purchase 350 turkeys for families in need this Thanksgiving. "We're very excited about that...we are right now about 700 turkeys shy of what our charities have requested," said Benton.

The girls' donation will fill the need well after thanksgiving has come and gone. "We all know leftovers last a little more than one day, this is actually giving a few days worth of food for a family that really will struggle this holiday season."

And this group says they will keep this thanksgiving holiday tradition for years to come.

"I feel good that I'm helping others," said 7-year-old Chloe Dulac.

 

 

 

Peter Wajda		 Moorestown boy steps up to help set record for chain of shoes

MOORESTOWN - Eight-year-old Peter Wajda never intended to set a world record. He just wanted to make a difference.

On the first day of school last fall, Kelly Goula, director of Moorestown Friends School's Lower School, encouraged students to find a way to make a difference.

"At the beginning of the school year, Mrs. Goula said lots of people can make a little difference, but one person can make a big difference," Peter said.

Peter, a second-grader at the time, felt he could be that one person who could make a big difference after thumbing through a National Geographic for Kids magazine.

The magazine was asking its readers to help them set a Guinness World Record for the longest chain of shoes. It was teaming with the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program, which uses old athletic shoe material to create basketball and tennis courts, soccer fields and running tracks in impoverished areas.

For the next five months, Peter made it his mission to find as many old shoes to contribute to the record-setting feat. He asked family and friends to donate shoes to the cause, and he put out collection boxes in his school and at his pediatrician's office.

"Every week, at least one of the boxes was piling over with shoes," Peter said. "It sounds like it was a whole lot of work, but it was a very fun and exciting thing to do."

By the time the January deadline for submissions arrived, Peter had collected 509 athletic shoes - about 5% of the total shoes collected.

Peter and his family drove to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., to personally deliver the old sneakers.

While the family was at the magazine's headquarters, Peter volunteered to help them line up shoes for the record-setting event in July.

The 10,512 shoes that were collected in the magazine's drive made a chain that was about 2 miles long.

Not only was Peter invited to the ceremony, he was honored for making the largest individual contribution.

He appreciated the honor, but that wasn't what he enjoyed the most.

"I liked jumping into the pile of shoes," Peter said.

Sarah Wajda said she's extremely proud of her son. She also said his efforts prove that parents should not discount what their children can accomplish.

"I think we need to encourage our children, because a small child can do some amazing things," Sarah Wajda said.
Nina Shad
Click Here to listen to
Nina's Interview

ATLANTIC CITY - They didn't have to be in mint condition, widely popular or particularly timely, but Nina Shad wanted them: books, magazines, teaching materials. Whatever her fellow teachers at New Jersey Avenue School could do without, she would flash a gracious smile and take.

In 2004, Shad began collecting books for schools in the Philippines. With family still living there and return visits every so often, she knew how paltry the educational opportunities were for children in the Southeast Asian country's poor rural provinces.

But with books, she could make inroads.

In September, Shad was transferred to Chelsea Heights School to teach English as a second language in the mornings. Again she asked for books. Again, her colleagues came through.

But talking with the school's media specialist, Jennifer Jamison, Shad realized that her one-woman mission could most benefit from the children of Chelsea Heights, who would no doubt be eager to lend a hand. So Nina founded the "bookworm" project in a effort to raise money for, and bring books to, underpriveledged schools in the Philippines.

During a 3-day book fair, for every book the students , their parents and friends purchased, they were encouraged to donate an additional 25 cents or more, which earned them a certificate to hang in the school's hallway. As an added bonus, book distributor Scholastic agreed to match the amount of books purchased for the Philippines.  

She's still looking for your  books and donations - call Nina to help out in any way possible, 609-289-8225 

Click image to see Linda Atkins and the children of Inquiring Minds Learning Center in Atco, NJ.

I would like to nominate a local day care center to your "Hero's"
segment. My children attend Inquiring Minds Learning Center in Atco, NJ.
They are a small independently owned day care facility with a GREAT BIG
HEART. Recently they had a mini march for Cystic Fibrosis, wherein the
children collected monetary donations in the name of a local high school
kid who is suffering with this disease and had a mini march around the
center yesterday. The high school kid was there and they talked about
his disability and he walked with them. It was a touching event. The
little daycare raised about $1600.00 and did more than that, they raised
awareness in the community.

I think the daycare center director, Linda Atkins, as well as her staff
and all of the children deserve recognition for the wonderful, caring
and selfless work they put into this very worthy cause.

Thanks so much Marc for taking the time to recognize them and all of the
Hero's you shout out to. This is one of the things that make SOJO so
special to us South Jerseyites.

Sincerely,
Dawn

Paula tells the story of her daughter Robin's (above) heroic efforts:

On Tuesday, February 12, 2008, Robin, who is a registered nurse, was driving to her Cherry Hill home from work in the early evening on 295 North, during the freezing rain/sleet storm.  Ahead of her an SUV slid off the roadway down into an embankment and rolled over onto its roof.  Robin stopped her car, put her hazard flashers on and went down into the embankment to help.  There was a family, mom, dad and two small children literally hanging upside down!  Robin helped to remove the children from the vehicle through the back hatch, as well as the parents.  In spite of the bitter cold, freezing rain and obvious danger of just getting out of the car so close to traffic whizzing by in inclement weather, Robin, along with a few other anonymous heroes, remained with the stunned family until rescue help arrived.  Thankfully, all were uninjured.  I am very proud of my daughter and also commend the others who stopped to help.  Robin does not fell like a hero, but to me she certainly is! -Paula

Click here for more info .

The pre-K thru 8th grade kids, and faculty, at  Crest Memorial School, who launched a project last week to collect as many shoes as they could to help the civilian men, women and children of Iraq http://www.inform.com/Iraq:  they call it  "Get a clue, donate a shoe...or two!"

To help them out, bring any shoes that "still have some good wear in them" to the school thru Feb. 14th:  9100 Pacific Ave in Wildwood Crest.

Read more about this fantastic cause click here.

Williamstown's Own Jasmine Lawrence lost all of her hair at age 11 after a bad relaxing perm. "It got to the point where I only had hair on the top of my head, so I was braiding it down to cover up this area where I had no hair," she says. "It really changed my life and the way I reacted to other people looking at me and staring."

Jasmine vowed to never use harsh chemicals on her hair again and started researching how to create her own all-natural hair products. In less than a year, Jasmine found the perfect mixture of hair products.

After attending a camp for young entrepreneurs, Jasmine had another big idea - to start her own business. She found ingredients and learned how to import them all on the Internet!

Now, at age 16, Jasmine is CEO and founder of Eden Body Works at http://www.edenbodyworks.com/StoreFront.bok, named for the Garden of Eden where everything was pure and natural. Beginning next month, Eden's Peppermint and Tea Tree hair care collection will begin to appear in Wal-Marts Nationwide!

Brigantine Elementary School students are some of the fittest in South Jersey, thanks to the school’s Get Yourself Moving (G.Y.M.) Program, addressing the problem of childhood obesity.  Brigantine Elementary School has won numerous awards over the last two years for their childhood obesity efforts.
 
The G.Y.M. program is made up of 3 subgroups:
Morning Fitness Program is offered from November through April and takes place in the school gym, four days a week from 8:30-9:00 am. (before school starts).  During this time, students in grades K-4 get plenty of exercise through activities such as hockey, soccer, relays, obstacle courses, skill stations and other fun games.

Behavior Modification Program - Takes the place of the traditional Lunch Detention.  Students who are given a detention slip by the Principal for inappropriate behavior are sent to the gym, instead of recess, and meet with the Physical Education Teacher for 20 minutes.  During this time the student talks about what happened and then write about the incident.  This ensures students take accountability for their actions along with providing corrective solutions.  Students then have the choice to either write a three paragraph essay or exercise.  The students usually choose to exercise for the remainder of their detention.
 
The Recess Mileage Program - Encourages children to run or walk during recess to earn shoe tokens for miles completed.  All students do at least 1-2 laps a day on the school’s 1/5 mile track.  By the end of the week they have completed 1-2 miles.  Student Council members in each class are responsible for giving out the tokens to deserving students at the end of each week.  When students are unable to go outside for recess on bad weather days, they go to the gym and exercise with the Physical Education Teacher, Special Area Teachers and Aides doing structured large group activities.

 

Burgess “Butch” Hamer from the Hamer School Of Karate has a Christmas goal: a bicycle & helmet for every child. The retired Middle Township police officer & school resource officer will gift the bikes to 110 needy children with the help of 40 volunteers  during a Christmas party in early December. Butch has seen two sides of Christmas - the outpouring of charity and goodwill and the unbelievable greed when several thousand dollars worth of toys he bought for charity were stolen from a storage unit. Every toy was replaced.  "It was so overwhelming, it brought tears to my eyes," Hamer said. "When that happened to us and the toys were stolen, it just snowballed The idea for the bicycles this year actually started last year when a friend of Hamer brought 15 bicycles to the Christmas party. "We're dealing with 100 kids, and we had no alternative but to raffle them off," he said. "And these young kids, they didn't realize why they didn't get a bike." To help a Cape May County kid get a new bicycle for the holidays, call Butch at 609-465-5618 or Jeanne at 609-972-7405

 


Heather Cunningham,
Mrs. New Jersey U.S. 2007

Heather is truly one of the kindest and dearest souls I have ever met. She has such a heart for others, especially for children, and has been a tireless advocate for children who face life-threatening medical conditions.

A Cabrini College graduate and former captain of the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders, Heather and her husband Tom are advocates for children, serving as Wish Grantors for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In this role, Heather is specially trained to be one of the people that actually presents the child’s wish to them by delivering the news in person that their wish is going to be granted. She and her husband are also contributors and volunteers for Starlight Starbright, Junior Achievement, and Children\'s Miracle Network.  

Heather promotes her platform, "Project GIVE", which focuses on enhancing the lives of children suffering with life-threatening medical conditions. In the battle against her own medical condition, Lupus, Heather has taken a proactive role as a Lupus Foundation of South Jersey executive board member, donating over $50,000 in annual proceeds for Lupus research.  In the past two years, Heather has raised more than $40,000 herself through chairing various fundraisers and charity walks. Heather was the recipient of the 2007 Mrs. New Jersey U.S. Triumph Award for overcoming her own life-threatening medical complications this past year and still managing to volunteer and raise money for others in need.

Gaining national attention, Heather has been interviewed on regional and national TV programs airing on CBS and CNN Headline News, has been invited to attend the prestigious Lupus Gala at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, and will be a featured spokeswoman in a nationally published coffee-table book highlighting high-profile Lupus survivors.

For more information about Heather, please visit http://www.mrsnewjersey.com or her platform website, http://www.projectgive.com.

 


John Fitzsimons with sister Laura

 

John Fitzsimons is in iraq right now fighting everyday for us. His 4 years were done in October but he has to stay untill April. He was the first batallion to go into iraq when Bush had the surge.

His sister Laura misses him very much and hopes he get's back home soon.


Dave Girgenti

“When You Wish Upon A Website.”

Cherry Hill’s Dave Girgenti has started the website Wish Upon A Hero, an online community to make wishes and match them with people who can grant the wish. Dave told the Courier-Post the wishes range from easy to hard and everything. A Clarksboro man wants a tummy tuck, a 32-year-old woman from Florence wants a husband, a history buff from Moorestown wants to visit a castle, a 53-year-old man from Pitman wants to fix his one yellow tooth so he can have a "brighter smiler” a single mother of five in California wants "as many prayers as I can get" as she struggles to make ends meet and a 23-year-old man whose dad abandoned him at birth wants to travel to Oregon to find him, just to know "what my father looks like."

The idea came from 2 of the biggest disasters of the decade: watching people post pictures of missing loved ones around Ground Zero got him thinking about how he could quickly help a lot of people at once But, as he tells the Courier Post, the sight of a New Jersey woman donating her shoes to a victim of Hurricane Katrina spurred him to create the website wishuponahero.com.

 

Ugly Dog


If you want Elwood to make an appearance for an animal charity,
e-mail Karen at loveelwood@comcast.net

 

S.J. pooch crowned ugliest in world It didn't look good for becoming the World's Ugliest Dog.

He was cute, people at the airport told Karen Quigley, a Sewell resident who owns a 2-year-old Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix, and "cute" isn't exactly what the judges in Petaluma, Calif., look for at their contest.

Quigley would know. Her dog Elwood had been to the World's Ugliest Dog contest before.

With bug eyes, a Mohawk, leather-like skin and two strands of hair on his tail, the dog that shuts his eyes when people pet his head finished second last year.

But He was the crowd favorite, and people at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair chanted his name as he swept each division of the pageant.

Now a bona-fide top-dog, Elwood will likely retire on top and recommit himself to charity work and special appearances; any money Elwood makes is donated to organizations that rescue abandoned and abused animals.
Christine Tonetta
Christine Tonetta

Christine Tonetta has been rushing to put out fires here for almost nine years.  Starting July 3, she'll be getting paid for every turnout.  
Tonetta, 33, is making history as the first woman to be appointed to a paid firefighter position with the city of Millville . She is also believed to be the first in Cumberland County, Fire Chief Kurt Hess said."It's what I've always wanted since I started at the Fire Department," Tonetta said.

 "Everyone is very excited, all my friends and family."
At just 4 inches over 5 feet tall and 135 pounds, the department's required physical agility test was a grueling experience for Tonetta.
"I don't think anybody walks away saying, 'Ooh! That was easy," she said. Tonetta also manages a warehouse in Vineland for Gerresheimer Glass Inc.

 
Lauren
Lauren Conforti

Lauren Conforti of Cologne has found a unique way to lend encouragement to soldiers overseas with the creation of Soldier Soaps.
Along with the help from her daughter and son, the Conforti's give Americans the opportunity to say thank you to the troops in a unique yet practical way that costs only two dollars and fifty cents.

"I do six different designs, three with scripture verses like keep your chin up, keep the fight up, and also three patriotic designs," said Conforti.

"It's unique because everyday when they take their shower or whatever they've got that little message on the soap and it doesn't wash off, they have it for a while."

The personalized soaps are sold at cost on a non profit basis.

"We need to support the troops and let them know we're here at home and we know they're fighting, risking their lives everyday for our freedom to say what we feel and have our flag flying - and they need that positive message," said Conforti.

To purchase one of Lauren's Soldier Soaps, go to: http://www.soldiersoaps.org

 

SoJO HeroTodd J. Shriver
Specialist in the US Army and Mom Marcelle Shriver

 

My brother Todd J. Shriver is a Specialist in the US Army.  He has been serving in Iraq for the past 6 months.  Since his time in Iraq he has signed on for another 6 years of service.  Our family and friends are so proud and grateful for his commitment to our country. By nominating him as my hero, I want all of South Jersey to know!
We love you Todd and count the days till you come home.

Also, Have you heard of the South Jersey Mom collecting the silly string for the troops in Iraq?  Well that's our mom, Marcelle Shriver!

Silly string helps troops identify trip wires without setting them off, and has saved many lives overseas.  Because of her efforts, I feel that my mom is a hero too!

Todd & my Mom are my Heros. From your loving sister and daughter Jenni Smith.

Carly
Carly's favorite charity...
http://www.autismspeaks.org/

Our thirteen year old daughter Carly is truly amazing! While most girls her age are spending their free time running to the mall, movies, summer camp, etc... Carly uses her time to help others. For the past two summers (and again this year) she volunteers over 150 hundred hours each summer to work with the special needs toddlers at the Barclay Early Childhood Center in Cherry Hill. In addition to her summer volunteering, she has raised money for Juvenille Diabetees, The Voorhees Animal Shelter and the Deborah Hospital Children of the World Program.

She also participates in helping at an annual Holiday Party for
Handicapped Children. When Carly was in fifth grade she was part of a program called Special Friend where she got the opportunity to go in to the special needs classes and interact with the kids. She made one very special autistic friend named Grant. Carly has always kept in contact with Grant and for the past three years she has visited him at least once a month. It means everything to his parents for Grant to still have Carly in his life.

One of the most touching moments at her Bat Mitzvah last Fall was when Grant came up and lit one of the candles on her cake. At that moment everyone in the room got to see just how specail a person she really is. It has always been very clear to Carly what she wanted to do with her life and she has chosen to become an Occupational Therapist working with autistic children. Her patience with these kids is remarkable. It is so rare for someone her age to diplay such selflessness. In our book she is truly a hero!

Carly is our Hero. From your loving parents: Eve & Tom M.

 

SwatOcean County Regional
SWAT Team
Click image for larger view

Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, South Unit, and their Commander Sergeant Herman Pharo  - World SWAT Champions!!! The local team outperformed 27 other SWAT units from around the country and abroad at the World SWAT Challenge late last month.  The competition's events required team work and physical fitness, as well as skills like marksmanship, which are all vital for an effective SWAT team. They not only won, but they even broke the world record in one of the events, one that involved team members exiting a van, storming a building and handcuffing and carrying out a dummy suspect in the shortest amount of time. The previous record was one minute eight seconds, and the Ocean County team did it in one minute six seconds!  Pharo, the SWAT team's commander, said members are required to train at least 16 hours a month and often put in significantly more time. To get to the World SWAT Challenge, which took place in Little Rock, Ark., from April 26-28, the Ocean County team won the Northeast SWAT Challenge in Harrisburg, Pa., in October.

Members of the Team from the Ocean County Emergency Unit that participated in this event were Sergeant Herman Pharo, Patrolman Jeffrey Ross, Patrolman Kenneth Schiattarella, Patrolman Daniel Samaritano, Patrolman Michael Morrin, Patrolman Robert Woodring, Patrolman Drew Smith, Patrolman Jason Costello all of the Stafford Township Police Department and Patrolman Robert Flynn and Sam DellaSala of the Lacey Township Police Department and Officer Steven Frazzee of the Harvey Cedars Police Department.

 

Linda Swierczynski
Linda Swierczynski

 

Linda is the founder of Jersey State Animal Rescue.  She has given countless hours to saving cats/kittens.  She is completely devoted to protecting one of God's little creatures who cannot protect themselves.  Her dedication is amazing.  Although not everyone is a cat person, these creatures do not need to be tormented, abandoned, abused, neglected, etc.

Linda makes sure that each cat/kitten that is adopted out is going to it's "forever home".  These are only a few reason's why I want to nominate Linda for being a SoJo hero. (Nominated by Alison Koch of Berlin)

Dr Harry Chaikin
Dr. Harry Chaikin

Over the past 3 years, Dr. Harry Chaikin of Brigantine, NJ has ridden his bicycle over 1,000 miles in charity events and raised over $26,000 for worthy causes including Multiple Sclerosis, ALS ("Lou Gehrig's Disease"), the American Cancer Society, and the Battle Against Hunger Bike Tour benefitting the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. Dr. Chaikin's dedication and tireless training for these events, some of which involve riding his bicycle over 100 miles in one day, inspire others to give and support these worthy causes.  

This year, Dr. Chaikin is planning a "South Jersey" version of the Battle Against Hunger bike ride in September and will ride from the NJ shore to Gettysburg, PA in 2 days, raising funds for the homeless and hungry in southern New Jersey.  He is truly a hero to his patients, his fellow cyclists, and those who benefit from the charities he supports.
(Nominated by Cathy Jensen of Galloway)

 
Spc Michael Previti
Spc. Michael A. Previti

Spc. Michael A. Previti joined the US Army immediately after graduating EHT High School (2003). Michael graduated basic training in Fort Benning, Ga in 2003.  Michael then went on to train with the 3rd infantry division 5/7 calvary in Fort Stewart, GA  and was deployed to Iraq in 2004 and served 1 year there.  While in Iraq, Michael enlisted with the Army for 6 more years.  When he returned from Iraq in Jan. of 2005 he was transferred to Fort Eustis, Va where he is currently stationed.

Michael just completed 4 weeks of extensive training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and gratuated with high honors.  He will soon be promoted to Sergeant.  Michael has recently received orders to transfer to the Pentagon on August 10, 2007.  Our family cannot be more proud of this young man of 22.  He has accomplished so much in so little time.  My son is my hero!!  I love you Mike, MOM (Nominated by Flora Previti of Egg Harbor Township)