UPBEAT NEWS - ORGANIZATIONS PAGE

EAST BRUNSWICK "COMMUNITY DAY" BRINGS
NON-PROFIT AWARENESS TO AREA RESIDENTS AND SHOPPERS.

In the beginning of the month, the East Brunswick Recreation Department held their annual "Community Day" at the Brunswick Square Mall. Several locations of the concourse were filled with non-profit organizations from the East Brunswick and surrounding area in a "tradeshow-style" setting, complete with pipe and drape backdrops and skirted tables. Radio station NJ 101.5 FM was on hand to promote the show and meet its listeners.

Non profits ranging from Armed Forces to religious and social services were highlighted, providing literature, displaying their activities, and exchanging contact information with the public. There were items to purchase, freebies, and even a few dog organizations, 4-H Puppy Pals which raise the pups before they are trained by the Seeing Eye Foundation, and the NJ Greyhound Foundation who seeks to help people adopt retired greyhounds.

UPBEAT NEWS believes that public showcases of non-profit organizations such as this are a great community service and should be encouraged and duplicated by other municipalities.

< Giselle Moreno, 2, has an opportunity to pet a greyhound
at the Community Day celebration in East Brunswick.

"HOOK" TO BE HONORED AS PART OF GIRL SCOUTS’ 50^TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Recently It was announced that Deb "Hook" Hooker, the longtime director of Camp Lou Henry Hoover (Middleville, NJ), will be honored at the Girl Scouts of Washington Rock Council’s 50^th Anniversary Celebration. Hooker will be feted as a woman of courage, confidence and character on April 24 at the Galloping Hill Inn in Union as GSWRC jubilantly marks its 50^th Anniversary. Hooker joins Assemblywoman Linda Stender on the list of honorees.

The event will be a fitting tribute to GSWRC and all that the national Girl Scout movement stands for as volunteers from the council’s humble beginnings until the present time will be recognized for their contributions to the council and movement. The evening will feature a display of memorabilia and uniforms as well as the work of present-day Girl Scouts as current Gold Award recipients will display their projects. Adrienne Supino, a reporter for New Jersey Network will serve as emcee for the festive and momentous event.

The first Girl Scout from North Plainfield to receive a Gold Award, Hooker first attended Camp Hoover in 1980 as a camper. Her love for the camp was born as she made the trek to Hoover thanks to money raised at a garage sale by her parents. She rose quickly through the ranks from camper to Junior Counselor before becoming Assistant Director in 1991. In 1995, she was named Director of the 340-acre camp, overseeing the year-round operations of the home-away-from-home for Girl Scouts from throughout GSWRC’s jurisdiction and beyond. In addition to operating six weeks of summer resident camp, Camp Hoover plays host to community encampments as well as a plethora of programming for Girl Scouts and adults alike.

Founded in 1957, GSWRC delivers the optimal Girl Scout experience to over 11,000 girls and adults in 24 communities. For more information on the council or to contribute financially to make the 50^th Anniversary celebration one to remember consult www.westfieldnj.com/girlscouts.

CHARLOTTE PUERARI| Assistant Vice President Branch Manager

CHARLOTTE PUERARI|
Assistant Vice President
Branch Manager