Category: Public Info

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Christopher Hudak (2nd L) and Freeholders Mohamed Jalloh (L), Sergio Granados and Vernell Wright (R) thank Patricia (3rd R) and Lori Smith of Roselle for donating their blue spruce tree for display at the Union County Courthouse. The public is invited to view the Christmas tree on weekdays in the Courthouse Rotunda until it is removed in early January.    (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

ROSELLE, NJ – Santa Claus will visit the ice skating rink at Warinanco Park in Roselle on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal, ice skating with Santa offers families a cool way to enjoy an afternoon out together during the holidays.

“Come skate along on the ice with Santa and warm up later by the fireplace as you listen to your favorite Christmas carols,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “This family-oriented afternoon will offer a mixture of holiday classics, candy canes and an opportunity to take photos with Santa on ice skates.”

Regular admission fees apply: Adults $6.00; youths 17 years and younger, $5.00; seniors (62 and older) $4.00. Ice skate rental is available for an additional $4.00.

The Warinanco Ice Skating Center is conveniently located in Warinanco Park, off St. Georges Avenue on the Roselle/Elizabeth border. For further information please visit the Union County website, www.ucnj.org/skating or call (908) 298-7850.

Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (L) congratulates Celeste Sitarski on being named the 2013 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Roselle by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Garwood. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (L) congratulates Marie McNally on being named the 2013 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from New Providence by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Garwood. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright congratulates Vito Sista on being named the 2013 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Springfield by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Garwood. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (L) congratulates Ellen Carter Haygood on being named the 2013 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Plainfield by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Garwood. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (L) congratulates Mary Withers on being named the 2013 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Westfield by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Garwood. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (L) congratulates Queen King on being named the 2013 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Hillside by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Garwood. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Every holiday season for 16 years, Union County Sheriff’s Officers have set up their “Tree of Hope” in the courthouse seeking donations of toys and clothing for needy children throughout the county. Each year the response has been overwhelming.

The “Tree of Hope” was first planted in 1997 when officers approached Sheriff Ralph Froehlich and related troubling stories of children who were going to experience a less than happy holiday season. The children the officers encountered were homeless or living in shelters, were victims of domestic violence or medically fragile.  Their parents or guardians did not have the financial ability to provide holiday gifts.

Every year since the Sheriff and the “Tree of Hope” committee have erected a tree in the Union County Courthouse featuring paper ornaments. Volunteers make the ornaments and write a particular gift on each one.

“These caring officers do a tremendous job in helping these children,” Sheriff Froehlich said. “Even during tough economic and personal times, it is important not to forget those kids who are less fortunate.”

Monetary donations to help provide additional gifts are also being sought.

Contributions of money (tax-deductible), toys and clothing can be sent to: Union County Sheriff’s Officers Tree of Hope, Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, N.J., 07207. For more information, call the “Tree of Hope” hotline at 908-629-2158.

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The Warinanco Ice Skating Center was the scene of the annual “Turkey Bowl.” Visitors from all over came to participate in the annual Thanksgiving Broom Bowl Challenge – a combination of the games of broomball and bowling – which is sponsored each year by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. L. to r: Freeholder Sergio Granados with the winners: John Matias of Kenilworth, winner in the 12-17 year old category, Daren Rakowski, of Linden, winner in the 8-11 year old category and Aidan Parris, winner in the 4-7 year old category. Backrow: Donna Hayden, manager of the Warinanco Skating rink in Roselle and Union County Deputy County Manager William Reyes.