Cherry Hill Sun

Tag: camden county

  • Summer vouchers for seniors are a nutrition lifeline

    Albert J. Countryman Jr./The Sun
    Springdale Farm Market in Cherry Hill is one of six farmer’s markets where qualified senior citizens can use free vouchers for fresh produce.

    Many senior citizens living on fixed incomes have to decide whether to buy healthy food or pay overdue bills when their Social Security benefit arrives at the beginning of each month. By the end of the month, the situation can get dire – should one starve or cut off the electricity?

    In an effort to help, the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program from the Camden County Board of Commissioners provides free vouchers worth $40 for the purchase of fresh fruit and produce at six participating markets in the county.

    “The summer voucher program is a lifeline to so many seniors here in Camden County,” said Commissioner Virginia Betteridge, liaison to the Division of Senior Services. “No one should worry about being able to afford fresh, nutritious food, and these vouchers allow us to alleviate some stress for our residents.”

    “We have a lot of seniors who use the vouchers,” noted Michael Burke, manager of the Springdale Farm Market in Cherry Hill, who has begun his 20th summer at the only working farm in the town. “Now they come in with a QR code.

    “It’s very important for everyone to eat healthy,” he added. “Fresh produce is so much better than pre-packaged, processed meals.”

    Crops all grown on the farm and already in season include strawberries; radishes; Jersey asparagus; and various types of lettuce, including red leaf, green leaf, Boston and Boston red. By the 4th of July, Springdale Farm Market will also have plenty of other homegrown produce – including tomatoes and sweet Jersey corn – all produced on its more than 100 acres along Springdale Road.

    Fruits and vegetables that are out of season are brought in from the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, Burke explained.

    Other markets accepting vouchers from the program are:

    • Collingswood Farmer’s Market, open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon; Kumarie’s Garden, open Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Stella Farms, open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Haddonfield Farmers’ Market, open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Pastore Orchard Inc., open every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Springdale Farm Market is open every day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    From May to November, senior citizens who meet income guidelines and are 60 and older will be eligible for a grocery voucher to be used at participating markets. The vouchers can only be used to purchase locally grown fruit and vegetable products.

    The eligibility requirements for the voucher program are that a person must be at least 60 years old and a resident of the county, with an individual annual income less than $27,861 and a couple’s income less than $37,814.

    For information, call (856) 858-3220 or go to the Camden County Senior Services website at https://www.camdencounty.com/service/senior-disabled-services/nutrition

    According to the U.S. National Institute for Health (NIH), “A healthy diet for seniors focuses on nutrient-dense foods; including fruits; vegetables; whole grains; lean protein; and low-fat dairy, while limiting added sugars, sodium and unhealthy fats. It also emphasizes adequate hydration and a variety of foods to meet specific needs and preferences.”

    In another effort to provide healthy food to its residents, the commissioners planned to celebrate the official opening of the $5-million Mary Ann Wardlow Center for Community Nutrition in Blackwood on May 16. The center is 7,500 square feet and supports assembly and distribution services for the home-delivery meal program. It was created to expand upon the county’s growing need for home-delivered meals to residents.

    “Each year, the need for this program grows greater and greater here in our county,” Betteridge noted. “The board of commissioners is committing to meeting the needs of our residents, and that includes helping them secure consistent, healthy meals on a daily basis.”

    The nutrition center is named after Wardlow, mayor of Lawnside and a tireless nutrition activist who’s been a long-time organizer and advocate for Meals on Wheels. She was instrumental in creating a congregate site offering nutritional programs to her town, the Wayne Bryant Community Center, making it a priority to bring nutritional food to her constituents.

    Betteridge said that food insecurity is an issue too many residents’ experience. In 2024 alone, the Food Bank of South Jersey distributed 23.4 million pounds of food; provided 19.5 million meals; and served 185,000 people, including 67,000 children, per month.

  • Kim ‘spreads the word’ on issues raised at town hall

    Sen. Andy Kim held a town hall at Cherry Hill East on April 22 that drew a crowd of more than 300 people.

    The Democratic senator took to the front of the auditorium of his alma mater to address his constituents.

    “This idea (is) that we can gather together as people in this nation and talk through the challenges that are there, recognizing full well that we’re not all going to agree on it,” he said. ” … That we’ll have disagreements and issues and different perspectives here and there, but that we’re able to have this type of conversation and talk through what direction our country should be going.”

    The senator was met with a range of emotions from the crowd. While many applauded or cheered, others yelled, booed or clapped loudly in disagreement with him. Before taking questions, Kim laid out his concerns about President Trump’s actions since he has taken office.

    “First and foremost, with a simple yet profoundly important recognition, is that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, is abusing his power,” Kim noted.

    Someone in the crowd then began heckling. Kim stopped his address, walked to the back of the room and spoke directly to the individual. The two briefly discussed a disagreement on the Constitutionality of the president’s actions before Kim returned to finish his introduction and take questions and comments. 

    The town hall took place just under three weeks after the senator and 13 other Democrats joined Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ effort to withhold $8.8 billion in military equipment to Israel. The measure failed, but division over the issue among audience members at Kim’s event was clear. As attendees began asking questions, one woman stood up to thank Kim for his yes vote, saying it showed “moral clarity, care for human life and a willingness to listen to your constituents.”

    Another attendee defended Israel’s actions and expressed concerns about the country not being able to survive in the event of an arms embargo. Kim responded with his belief that there is no way to resolve the war in Gaza with military action alone.

    “I don’t discount the continued threat that Hamas … will very well pose,” he explained. “But again, what we’re seeing right now with this resumption of violence (and a) blockade (of) humanitarian assistance, it’s just going to fuel anger and hate that gives Hamas the ability to be able to regroup and be able to continue to sow their danger to the Israeli people and make it harder to be able to get … all the hostages out.”

    Outside of the Israeli issue, another town hall attendee, Linh Nguyen, addressed the need for federal workers and social services in the midst of government cutbacks.

    “I chose a career in public service, and so many of my co-workers chose a career in public service because we want to serve the public,” she remarked, “and we are not able to do that when we’re being illegally terminated.”

    Other audience members took their time to ask questions about multiple issues, including protections for LGBT individuals, in particular those in the trans community; due process in the wake of the deportation to El Salvador of immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia; and protection of U.S. citizens’ private data.

    Kim continued to take questions for a half hour after the town hall ended.

    “Go out and talk to other people in your own communities, your friends, your families and others, as I am doing as well, trying to make sure we’re spreading the word,” he noted. “The fact that you showed up today, it gives me immense gratitude for you that you’re paying attention.”

  • ‘Guests are happy’ as county driving range re-opens

    Albert J. Countryman Jr./The Sun
    Renovations at the Camden County Driving Range include the complete replacement of the second-level concrete deck in the background. Staff members include Anthony Battaglia (left to right), manager Maureen Higgins and staff member John DeFeo. 

    Playing golf is a stress relief for thousands of Camden County duffers – a chance to get away from fast-paced lives by getting outside for a few hours on a beautiful day.

    However, the peace and quiet can be shattered with a drive that goes into the woods or the water, an approach shot that ends buried in a sand trap, or a five-foot putt that does not drop in the hole.

    In order to avoid those mishaps this year, golfers showed up to hone their skills at the re-opening of the Camden County Driving Range on April 12.

    “More than 500 people showed up during the weekend,” County Commissioner Jeffrey Nash said. “We are thrilled to welcome the community back to the Camden County Driving Range, one of the most well used and loved amenities throughout our county park system.”

    The driving range, closed since last October for a $600,000 renovation project, now has a completely replaced second level concrete deck, lighting upgrades and new fencing.

    “The upstairs concrete was compromised and needed to be fixed,” said staff member John DeFeo, adding that the short game area for chipping and putting was renovated last summer.

    “Everything looks a lot better,” staff member Anthony Battaglia noted. “The guests are happy. We’re getting lots of compliments.”

    “This is my fourth day on the job,” said manager Maureen Higgins on April 15. “The place looks great.”

    “These upgrades have greatly improved the conditions at the driving range, making for a more enjoyable experience for all users,” said Nash, adding that 67,000 golfers came to the range last year to hit a few buckets of golf balls into the water or sharpen their short game.

    Located at the intersection of Route 130 and Park Drive along the Cooper River, motorists waiting at the light can watch the golfers drive from the second level, some of them aiming at a small island in the middle of the water.

    “We have senior golf classes,” noted Nash, adding that the popular driving range also hosts 50 to 60 people in recovery from addiction every Wednesday from June to September in the First Tee program.

    The renovations were funded through a capital investment by the board of commissioners, explained Nash, who was first elected to the board 33 years ago and has seen the transformation of Cooper River Park into a venue for national and international regattas and has recreational facilities for families and sports teams.

    “I would not have imagined it back then,” Nash acknowledged.

    The Cooper River is a tributary from the Delaware River, and the county is creating a water trail for kayakers and canoers from the driving range, past Gateway Park to Pine Point Park, and on to Petty’s Island.

    “We are installing a boat ramp behind the Pub,” said Nash, adding that the public has been very supportive of the efforts over the years to improve and enhance Cooper River Park. “It (the water trail) will be the most spectacular water kayaking trail in the Northeast.

    “It’s a team effort.”

  • Camden County Health Department monitoring bird flu throughout state

    The Camden County Health Department is currently monitoring the continued spread of bird flu across the country as well as here in New Jersey. Currently, no birds in Camden County have tested positive for bird flu and the risk to the public remains low.

    “Right now, the country has seen 70 human cases of bird flu, as well as outbreaks in a variety of animals including wild birds and cows,” Camden County Health Officer Dr. Paschal Nwako said. “So, the good news is that we have not seen human-to-human transmission of the virus, and we do not need to panic. But this is still a developing situation that we at the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services is watching diligently.”

    Confirmed detections of bird flu have occurred in wild birds in Warren and Salem counties. Presumptive positive detections have occurred in Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Cumberland, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean and Sussex counties.

    Bird flu, also known as avian influenza and H5N1, is a strain of influenza that primarily affects birds but can also infect humans and other animals including foxes, bears, seals, stray or domestic animals like cats and dogs, farmed animals like mink and foxes, livestock like goats and cows, and zoo animals such as tigers and leopards. This virus has the potential to cause severe illness in humans, and it has been responsible for past outbreaks in both birds and humans.

    Symptoms of bird flu in humans are similar to those of seasonal flu and can include:

    1. Fever
    2. Cough
    3. Sore throat
    4. Muscle aches
    5. Fatigue
    6. Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
    7. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, in severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, organ failure or death.

    If you have symptoms of bird flu, especially after close contact with sick or dead birds, seek medical attention immediately. Early treatment with antiviral medications can help reduce the severity of symptoms and improve recovery chances.

    Bird flu primarily spreads through contact with infected birds or their droppings, secretions or contaminated environments but it can also spread through handling raw poultry or eggs. The likelihood of getting bird flu is low for the general public, especially if you do not have close contact with infected poultry. The risk is higher for people in areas with large poultry populations or those who work in the poultry industry.

    “It is extremely important to remind everyone that you should never be handling sick or dead animals without wearing proper personal protective equipment,” Nwako continued. “Interactions with animals in this way is a major way that this virus can spread so please, if you must handle an animal, make sure you are wearing PPE, avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose after contact and wash your hands immediately with soap and water.”

    While human-to-human transmission is rare, it can occur with close, prolonged contact with an infected person. To lower the risk of contracting bird flu, the Health Department recommends the following:

    1. Avoid contact with sick or dead birds.
    2. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling poultry or eggs.
    3. Cook poultry and eggs thoroughly to kill any potential viruses.
    4. Avoid live bird markets, especially in regions with known outbreaks.

    Workers at higher risk of infection should adhere to the following guidelines:

    1. Avoid unprotected exposure to sick or dead animals.
    2. Wash hands immediately with soap and water after handling birds or other animals.
    3. Wear personal protective equipment when in direct or close contact (within 6 feet) with sick or dead animals.
    4. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose after contact with animals.
    5. Receive education on how to properly use PPE and when it’s needed.

    Consuming poultry, eggs and beef is safe if they are cooked to the appropriate internal temperature that kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza. Make sure to separate raw and cooked foods to avoid contamination.

    If you believe your poultry or livestock has been infected with bird flu, contact your veterinarian and your local health department.

    “The main thing that we want our residents to know is that they do not need to panic, we are keeping a close eye on this situation, and we will continue to keep an open line of communication to ensure that with every development, we are keeping everyone in the loop,” Nwako said. “For now, please use the mitigation tips listed to prevent any potential spread of bird flu. Staying informed and following public health guidance is key to protecting yourself and your community from bird flu.”

    To report any concerns pertaining to bird flu, call the Camden County Health Department at 856-374-6000. To report sick or dead poultry, contact the state Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400.

    For more information about bird flu, visit:

    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Bird Flu: https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html
    2. New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) – Bird Flu: https://www.nj.gov/H5N1/

  • Serving like a King

    Special to The Sun
    Sangeeta Doshi (clockwise from top left), Andrew Passalacqua, Joyce Pierce and Colleen Bianco Bezich will receive the Camden County Freedom Medal for service to their communities.

    Four residents from Cherry Hill and Haddonfield will be honored at the 2025 Camden County Freedom Medal Ceremony on Wednesday for improving their respective communities.

    The award – created by the Camden County Board of Commissioners in 2001 – is being presented to 13 civic leaders who demonstrate ideals and actions that reflect the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Since its inception 24 years ago, more than 1,200 Camden County residents have received the prestigious honor. 

    Among the 13 awardees for this year are Cherry Hill’s Sangeeta Doshi and Andrew Passalacqua, and Haddonfield’s Colleen Bianco Bezich and Joyce Pierce. 

    Doshi has served the Cherry Hill community for more than two decades through participation in an array of organizations, including the Domestic Violence Response Team, the District IV Legal Ethics Committee, Moms Demand Action, the Indian Cultural Center and Indian Temple Association, the Camden Air Quality Committee, Inspiring South Asian American Women, the New Jersey Leadership Program, the Asian American Alliance in South Jersey and the North South Foundation. 

    “I am humbled and honored to receive the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Medal,” said Doshi. “MLK’s philosophies incorporated many of Gandhi’s teachings that we were raised with. We were taught to always give back, volunteer and to leave everywhere better than you found it.

    “I am grateful, lucky and blessed that with the support of family, mentors and colleagues, I can contribute positively to my community. Thank you.” 

    Passalacqua, a student at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, is making a meaningful difference in South Jersey through his service project, Crayons for Courts. After observing a child as young as 5 years old endure the anxiety of a courtroom setting, Passalacqua was inspired to act. He raised nearly $3,000 to purchase more than 6,000 packets of crayons, 3,000 coloring books, 2,000 activity books and stickers. His first donation was to the Camden County courthouse. 

    Bezich is committed to championing diversity and inclusion, as well as serving underserved communities. As mayor of Haddonfield, she has supported events such as LGBTQ+ Pride, Juneteenth and Diwali. She also mentors refugee children through the Diocese of Camden’s Office of Migration and Refugee Services, and has supported organizations such as LUCY Outreach, where she served as a board member, and Cathedral Kitchen. 

    “I’m humbled and overwhelmed, and honestly still in shock,” Bezich acknowledged, “because I had nominated another individual who is so deserving of this award, and upon learning that she would be honored, I found out that I had also been nominated.” 

    Pierce, a former teacher in Haddonfield, former councilwoman and acting mayor of Lawnside, was nominated by Bezich. Pierce has shown a passionate dedication to the students and people of the borough, with a goal to always ensure that her students received a consistent, high-quality education. 

    Each year, the commissioners set out to identify county residents who exemplify the teachings of King, specifically those who’ve contributed over time to making significant, tangible improvements that benefit their communities. The awards are based strictly on volunteer work, excluding any remuneration.

    “The individuals selected for this prestigious award display true commitment to making the world a better place through actions such as community service, teaching and more,” explained Commissioner Jonathan Young. “It warms my heart to know that we have so many incredible, selfless people who call Camden County home and who are dedicated to serving their communities.” 

    The 2025 Camden County Congressional Award will also be presented at the medal ceremony, scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Collingswood Ballroom, 315 White Horse Pike. Young is this year’s recipient.

  • Governor declares State of Emergency for South Jersey ahead of snowstorm

    Gov. Phil Murphy declared that New Jersey will enter a State of Emergency effective at 10 p.m. due to significant and severe storms causing hazardous winter weather conditions, including heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, high wind gusts, and freezing temperatures, according to the governor’s office.

    Executive Order No. 374 declares a state of emergency across Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties, allowing resources to be deployed throughout the state during the duration of the storm.
     
    “Throughout our state, we are experiencing severe winter weather resulting in hazardous conditions, with snowfall expected to reach a high of six to eight inches in our southern counties,” said Murphy. “These dangerous outdoor conditions may impact the morning or evening commutes and make travel very difficult. Drivers should stay off the roads if possible, remain alert, and follow all safety protocols.”
     
    The governor encourages New Jerseyans to visit ready.nj.gov for important weather updates and safety information. Residents should also pay attention to local forecasts, warnings, and watches.
     
    For those living in Northern New Jersey and the New York Metro area, visit the U.S. National Weather Service New York, N.Y. at http://www.weather.gov/okx/
     
    For those living in Central and Southern New Jersey, visit the U.S. National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly at https://www.weather.gov/phi/

  • Camden County Office of Emergency Management issues “Code Blue”

    Commissioner Jonathan Young, liaison to the Camden County Department of Public Safety, advises municipalities that the region will be under a Code Blue Advisory Wednesday evening to Monday morning. The after-hours code blue emergency hotline is 2-1-1.

    The Health Officer has issued the Code Blue advisory for Camden County effective from:

    • 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1 to 7 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2
    • 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2 to 7 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3
    • 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3 to 7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4
    • 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 to 7 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5
    • 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5 to 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6

    “The temperature is set to drop dangerously low, so it is critical that everyone is inside and away from the elements,” Young said. “Also, it is important that our elderly residents and those living with disabilities have their heat in working order and that all pets are brought indoors.”

    When the Camden County Office of Emergency Management declares a Code Blue Weather Advisory, municipalities with homeless populations, situational homeless or transient populations are expected to activate their Code Blue response plan to accommodate their immediate needs.

    “If you know of anyone who is elderly or disabled, please check on them to make sure they’re prepared to stay safe in these dangerous temperatures,” Young said. 

    With a large portion of households in Camden County owning a cat or a dog Young wants to ensure that all pets are safe during these extreme temperatures as well. 

    Here are some cold weather tips from Commissioner Young to keep your pet safe:

    • When the thermometer dips below 32 degrees, keep your pet indoors as much as possible. If your pet must stay outside, provide a warm shelter, raised a few inches off the ground, with the opening facing away from the wind and covered with a burlap or plastic flap. The shelter should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around, but small enough to retain its body heat. 
    • If your pet is outdoors for extended periods when temperatures are below freezing (32 degrees), be alert for signs of distress from the cold. Just like in people, shivering is a sign that the body temperature is dropping. If you see your pet shivering, it is probably time to bring it inside. Remember, your pet’s body temperature is between 101-102 degrees and its body temperature lowers faster in cold weather.
    • A very young, very old pet or a pet with a health problem is more vulnerable to cold.
    • An animal with thick fur can tolerate cold longer than a small animal and one with short hair.
    • Don’t leave your pet in an unheated vehicle for extended periods of time.
    • Make sure your pet has clean unfrozen drinking water. Do not let your pet drink from puddles where there may be deadly antifreeze or other harmful chemicals.
    • A pet can pick up rock salt, ice and other melting chemicals in their foot pads. This can harm your pet. Massaging petroleum jelly into paw pads before going outside helps to protect from salt and chemical agents. Moisturizing after a good toweling off helps to heal chapped paws. Wipe your pet’s feet with a damp cloth when it comes inside to protect its pads from damage. If this is a problem for your pet, there are boots available in all sizes. Your dog can get used to wearing the boots indoors for short periods of time. Not all dogs take to them.
    • If there are outside cats in the neighborhood, knock on the hood of your vehicle and look under it before starting your engine and driving off. Cats sometimes curl up next to or under warm engines when they are left out in the cold.
    • Antifreeze has an attractive scent and taste for animals and is extremely poisonous! Be especially vigilant about the ingestion of antifreeze. The first sign of antifreeze poisoning is a pet that appears drunk. Immediately get your pet to the vet if you suspect it has ingested antifreeze as it can be fatal within four
      to eight hours of ingestion.

    The Camden County Health Department and the Office of Emergency Management have worked with each municipality to ensure they have the proper resources to respond to these severe weather situations as part of their individual Code Blue plans.  Each municipality has identified its own location to accommodate those in their community seeking shelter from the severe weather.

    Persons seeking shelter in a warming center should contact their local municipality. 

    In case of a power outage please report it directly to the appropriate utility provider list below:

  • New skate park opens at Cooper River

    Special to The Sun

    The Camden County Board of Commissioners joined area officials and the local skateboarding community on Dec. 18 to unveil a new skate park in the Cherry Hill section of Cooper River Park.

    “This skate park has been long awaited and we are so thrilled to finally open it to the public,” said Commissioner Jeffrey Nash, liaison to the Camden County Parks Department. “The skateboarding community here in Camden County has been a huge help in bringing this project to fruition, and we cannot wait to welcome them to use the Camden County Park System’s newest amenity.”

    The facility cost about $900,000, with funding from both the county and state. In July 2023, Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald presented the parks department with a check for $87,000 for park construction.

    “This skate park is an investment in our kids, a space for families to come together, and a hub for creativity, recreation, and connection in Camden County,” noted Greenwald.   

    Cooper River Park – planned and engineered more than 100 years ago by Charles Levitt – encompasses 346 acres in Pennsauken, Cherry Hill, Collingswood and Haddon Township. Its amenities include a playground, the Camden County Boathouse, pavilions, a softball field, a cross-country course, the Camden County Golf Academy, the Cooper River Yacht Club, two bike trails, Jack Curtis Stadium, a track, picnic areas and a bocce court.

    As a tri-state destination, Cooper River Park was named a Great Place in New Jersey by the American Planning Association-New Jersey Chapter. It is also the home of the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, the largest high-school and college- rowing competition in the nation.   

  • Camden County Health Department issues “Code Blue”

    Commissioner Virginia Betteridge, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, advises municipalities that the region will be under a Code Blue Advisory Thursday evening to Sunday morning. The after-hours code blue emergency hotline is 2-1-1.

    The Health Officer has issued the Code Blue advisory for Camden County effective from:

    • 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 to 7 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14
    • 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 to 7 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 15.

    “It is crucial that everyone gets inside and away from these dangerous elements,” Betteridge said. “It’s also important that our elderly residents and those living with disabilities have their heat in working order and that all pets are brought indoors.”

    When the Camden County Health Officer declares a Code Blue Weather Advisory, municipalities with homeless populations, situational homeless or transient populations are expected to activate their Code Blue response plan to accommodate their immediate needs.

    “If you know of anyone who is elderly or disabled, please check on them to make sure they’re prepared to stay safe in these dangerous temperatures,” Betteridge said. 

    With a large portion of households in Camden County owning a cat or a dog Betteridge wants to ensure that all pets are safe during these extreme temperatures as well. 

    Here are some cold weather tips from Commissioner Betteridge to keep your pet safe:

    • When the thermometer dips below 32 degrees, keep your pet indoors as much as possible. If your pet must stay outside, provide a warm shelter, raised a few inches off the ground, with the opening facing away from the wind and covered with a burlap or plastic flap. The shelter should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around, but small enough to retain its body heat. 
    • If your pet is outdoors for extended periods when temperatures are below freezing (32 degrees), be alert for signs of distress from the cold. Just like in people, shivering is a sign that the body temperature is dropping. If you see your pet shivering, it is probably time to bring it inside. Remember, your pet’s body temperature is between 101-102 degrees and its body temperature lowers faster in cold weather.
    • A very young, very old pet or a pet with a health problem is more vulnerable to cold.
    • An animal with thick fur can tolerate cold longer than a small animal and one with short hair.
    • Don’t leave your pet in an unheated vehicle for extended periods of time.
    • Make sure your pet has clean unfrozen drinking water. Do not let your pet drink from puddles where there may be deadly antifreeze or other harmful chemicals.
    • A pet can pick up rock salt, ice and other melting chemicals in their foot pads. This can harm your pet. Massaging petroleum jelly into paw pads before going outside helps to protect from salt and chemical agents. Moisturizing after a good toweling off helps to heal chapped paws. Wipe your pet’s feet with a damp cloth when it comes inside to protect its pads from damage. If this is a problem for your pet, there are boots available in all sizes. Your dog can get used to wearing the boots indoors for short periods of time. Not all dogs take to them.
    • If there are outside cats in the neighborhood, knock on the hood of your vehicle and look under it before starting your engine and driving off. Cats sometimes curl up next to or under warm engines when they are left out in the cold.
    • Antifreeze has an attractive scent and taste for animals and is extremely poisonous! Be especially vigilant about the ingestion of antifreeze. The first sign of antifreeze poisoning is a pet that appears drunk. Immediately get your pet to the vet if you suspect it has ingested antifreeze as it can be fatal within four
      to eight hours of ingestion.

    The Camden County Health Department and the Office of Emergency Management have worked with each municipality to ensure they have the proper resources to respond to these severe weather situations as part of their individual Code Blue plans.  Each municipality has identified its own location to accommodate those in their community seeking shelter from the severe weather.

    Persons seeking shelter in a warming center should contact their local municipality.  Additional resources are available by calling the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services at (800) 999-9045, or by visiting www.camdencounty.com.

    In case of a power outage please report it directly to the appropriate utility provider list below:

  • Samaritan announces more details for 2025 gala

    Special to The Sun
    Samaritan’s 2025 gala honorary co-chairs Greg and Traci Button of Moorestown have been longtime supporters and advocates for Samaritan.

    Samaritan will hold its annual Celebration of Life Gala, presented by Holman Enterprises, at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia in Philadelphia on February 8, 2025. The annual fundraising event celebrates Samaritan’s 45 years of providing an expanding range of life-enhancing care to more than 11,000 patients, families and clients annually throughout Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties.

    This year’s gala will feature food, live music by Masquerade, dancing and more. Greg and Traci Button of Moorestown, who are both longtime Samaritan supporters and advocates, have been named the 2025 gala honorary co-chairs.

    Each year, Samaritan’s gala also honors individuals and organizations who are dedicated in their service to Samaritan, as well as the greater South Jersey community. Samaritan is proud to announce its 2025 honorees:

    • Archer & Greiner, P.C.
    • TD Bank
    • Antonio D. Tillis, PhD, Chancellor, Rutgers University-Camden

    To further support fundraising efforts and engagement, Samaritan’s gala will once again feature:

    • Delightful Dining Raffle – sponsored by Innovative Benefit Planning, this raffle offers the chance to win 12 $100 restaurant gift certificates (valued at a total of $1,200) to some of the area’s finest eateries, for just $10 per ticket. Two raffle winners will be announced during the gala.
    • Virtual Online Auction – featuring a variety of specialty items for bid, from trips and travel packages to gift baskets, sports memorabilia, brand-name items and more. The online auction will open for bidding on February 1, 2025.

    Event attendance is not required for interested individuals to participate in both the Delightful Dining raffle and Online Auction. Tickets for the Delightful Dining raffle and access to the Online Auction are available at www.SamaritanNJ.org/Gala.

    All proceeds from the evening, including the Delightful Dining raffle and online auction, will support direct care for Samaritan patients and their families throughout South Jersey.

    For additional gala details, tickets or sponsorship information and deadlines, visit www.SamaritanNJ.org/Gala or contact Katelin Spooner at (856) 552-3239 or KSpooner@SamaritanNJ.org.