Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County Freeholder Andrea Staten, Freeholder Angela Garretson and Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter joined the United Way of Greater Union County and members of County Government in Elizabeth in distributing food donated by Amazon.com through the United Way to various social service organizations throughout Union County. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union.).

Freeholder Chairman Mirabella and Freeholder Vice Chairman Estrada, Freeholders Hudak, Granados, and County Manager Oatman to have hair cut to raise funds to assist victims of domestic violence; event to be broadcast live on Facebook

UNION COUNTY—Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholder Vice Chairman Angel Estrada, Freeholders Christopher Hudak, Sergio Granados and County Manager Ed Oatman will take up the “Union County Home Haircut Challenge,” and have their hair cut for charity live on Facebook beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 18^th. 

“We know the stress of this pandemic has put a lot of financial pressure on certain non-profit organizations and we wanted to come up with a creative and engaging way to help out,” said Freeholder Chairman Mirabella. “Specifically, we wanted to help victims of domestic violence, as unfortunately, the numbers have spiked during the pandemic.”

Mirabella has grown his hair longer than usual and is sporting a beard. No word yet on whether the beard will survive the challenge, or whether Mirabella’s wife, Phyllis, will weigh in on the matter.

The Freeholder men came up with the idea of helping victims of domestic violence and creating the theme for the event. Family members and/or friends of the Freeholders and County Manager will participate in making the haircuts with, of course, attention to safety and quality.

“I thought it would be a different way assist those in need, while using our long overdue haircuts to raise funds,” said Freeholder Hudak, who normally sports a close-shaved cut. “For all of us, it marks a first-getting our cuts live on social media. We are looking forward to sharing the moment with our Union County community, friends and family, and contributing to a worthy cause.”

Vice Chairman Estrada added: “This is a great opportunity to raise awareness and funds for the victims of domestic violence.  We are all looking forward to getting our haircuts and helping someone in need.”

Freeholder Granados said: “The pandemic has changed life for many people, and among the unfortunate results is a major increase in domestic violence. The County has been at the forefront of assisting victims of domestic violence, and this is yet another venue for us to help out, raise funds, and send a positive and heart-warming message as well.”

County Manager Oatman stated: “It has been heartwarming to see how Union County residents have helped each other during the COVID-19 outbreak, and we hope that this event will inspire others to reach out and contribute to a cause as we work through this crisis together.”

The event will be a fundraiser for a local charity the five men have selected.  Details on how to contribute to the charity are available on the Union County Home Haircut Challenge Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1215503408781513/. The event will also be broadcast live off the same page, and the Facebook account pages of Freeholder Mirabella, Freeholders Hudak, Granados and County Manager Oatman. Those who make a contribution are urged to leave a comment on the event page or on the Freeholders’ and County Manager’s Facebook accounts, which are as follows.

• https://www.facebook.com/alexander.mirabella.7
• https://www.facebook.com/freeholderhudak/
• https://www.facebook.com/FreeholderGranados/
• https://www.facebook.com/ed.oatman.5

Each year the Union County Board of Freeholders provides free shade trees to schools for Arbor Day. This year, due to schools being closed as a result of Covid-19, 80 crabapple trees will go to Union County residents and community organizations on request.

To request a tree, find out more about tree care in Union County, or to join the Rutgers Master Tree Steward of Union County volunteers, email Jim Nichnadowicz, Union County 4-H Agent, at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

“It is unfortunate that we are not able to distribute these trees to schools as we usually do, so we hope that residents and community organizations can give them good homes,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The trees are five to six feet tall and weigh about 10 to 15 pounds each. Each tree has been growing in a five gallon pot. They can fit into a mini-van, SUV or car with a folding back seat. A deer guard is included.

Crabapples are known for beautiful spring flowers as well as small sour apples that can be used to make jams and jellies. 

These trees usually grow to about 15 to 20 feet tall over 10 years with a spread of similar dimensions. 

It is suggested not to plant the trees near a sidewalk or driveway.  

One tree per address will be permitted and will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.

Arbor Day has been a National Observance since 1872, encouraging the public to plant and care for trees.  This year Arbor Day fell on Friday, April 24.

The U.S. Forestry Service, the Arbor Day Foundation and other partners have developed free, user-friendly software to calculate the dollar value of trees in urban communities. For more information visit iTreeTools.org. 

The Master Tree Steward program is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, which is supported in part by the Freeholder Board and is headquartered in the Colleen Fraser Building at the County complex in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East. For information on all Extension programs visit ucnj.org/rce.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities, visit The Green Connection online at ucnj.org/green-connection.

#  #

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.