Category: Public Info

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PHOTO: Freeholders Honor Madhumita Parmar of Scotch Plains

Union County Freeholder Chairman Daniel Sullivan (L) presents a resolution to Madhumita Parmar, a resident of Scotch Plains and a student at the Union County Academy for Allied Health Science, congratulating and commending her on performing in a fundraising concert for an agency which provides meals and education for under-privileged children in India. Madhumita raised more than $10,000 for the Akshaya Patra Foundation. They are joined by Union County Vocational-Technical Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas Bistocchi. (Photo by Jim Lowney of Union)

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org

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Public Info

Union County Vo-Tech Schools Earn Top Honors for Cancer Research Fundraising

Relay for Life award is third in three years

Union County, NJ – The Union County Vo-Tech Schools are well known for offering top quality academic and career programs, and Vo-Tech students are proving that the schools build a strong community spirit, too. For the third year in a row, Vo-Tech students have earned the Nationwide Per Capita Award for High Schools from the American Cancer Society, for their efforts during the national 2010 Relay for Life fundraising event last March.

Vo-Tech students raised more than $138,000 in March, topping their goal of $125,000. If they reach next year’s goal, they will have raised a total of $500,000 in five years.

“Union County is blessed with a great many young people who sacrifice their time and energy in order to help others,” said Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan. “This award represents the heart and soul of the Vo-Tech student body, and of those who supported their efforts.”

Relay for Life is a national fundraising and awareness campaign of the American Cancer Society. In this event, teams camp out overnight and take turns walking or running around a track or path continuously.

All together, more than 750 people participated in the March 2010 Vo-Tech Relay for Life, including more than 450 Vo-Tech students representing all five schools, and over 300 parents, cancer survivors and other supporters from the community.

The 2011 event takes place on March 25-26, and Vo-Tech students have set a goal of raising $150,000.

“The Vo-Tech Schools are dedicated to developing young adults who have the confidence and ability not only to advance in their own lives, but to help lift their communities as well,” said Vo-Tech Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas J. Bistocchi. “This achievement is an inspiration to us all.”

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Fundraising for the 2011 event has already begun. To donate to the Vo-Tech Schools Relay for Life team, call the American Cancer Society at 908-629-0386, ext. 210 or visit the Vo-Tech Schools Relay for Life web page,www.relayforlife.org/ucvtsNJ.

The Vo-Tech school district serves students throughout Union County with nationally recognized academic programs and career development. The campus is located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains. For more information visit www.ucvts.tec.nj.us/ucvts/.

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Public Info

Sal Bivona on being named the 2010 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Linden

Union County Freeholder Rayland Van Blake (L) congratulates Linden Police Deputy Chief Sal Bivona on being named the 2010 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Linden 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)

Public Info

Michael Iacovelli named the 2010 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from New Providence

Union County Freeholder Rayland Van Blake (L) congratulates Michael Iacovelli on being named the 2010 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)

Public Info

Arnold Pierre named the 2010 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Elizabeth

Union County Freeholder Rayland Van Blake (L) congratulates Arnold Pierre on being named the 2010 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Elizabeth 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)

Public Info

Daniel Torres named the 2010 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Springfield

Union County Freeholder Rayland Van Blake (L) congratulates Daniel Torres on being named the 2010 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)

Public Info

Roselle Police Sgt. Joanne Scaturo named the 2010 Union County Volunteer

Union County Freeholder Rayland Van Blake congratulates Roselle Police Sgt. Joanne Scaturo on being named the 2010 Union County Volunteer of the Year by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner. Sgt. Scaturo, a Cranford resident, was also the LACADA 2010 Municipal Volunteer of the Year for Roselle. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Public Info

Pastel Paintings by Marion Derrett of Scotch Plains on Exhibit at Pearl Street Gallery

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of artwork by Marion Derrett in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of Derrett’s pastel paintings entitled “Salad Days” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery from now until Jan. 28. The Gallery is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“We are pleased to display an exciting and beautiful exhibit of portraits, floral and landscape paintings by artist Marion Derrett,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “The talent and diversity of our county artists ensure an inspiring and interesting variety of exhibitions at the Pearl Street Gallery.”

Born in England, Ms. Derrett earned her art degree from Froebel Institute of Education in London and taught art in England for many years. She has traveled the world and studied Chinese painting while living in China and Singapore. After moving to Scotch Plains in 2002, she pursued her studies at Artspace Studio in Morristown with Julie Friedman; at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit, and the duCret School of Art in Plainfield. Marion Derrett works from her Scotch Plains studio in pastels, oils and acrylics on commissioned portraits and landscape paintings. She also writes and illustrates children’s books. Her work can be seen at www.marionderrett.com .

Ms. Derrett has exhibited extensively and won many awards, including: the Scotch Plains & Fanwood Arts Association 2010, First Place; the Scotch Plains & Fanwood Arts Association 2009, Best of Show; and the Pastel Society of New Jersey 4th Annual Member’s Exhibition 2009, Award of Merit. She has shown her paintings in exhibitions throughout Connecticut, New Jersey and New York.

In the eight years that Marion Derrett has lived in Scotch Plains, she has pursued her art career with passion and focus. She enjoys involvement in many professional organizations: Juried Member of the American Artists Professional League; Juried Associate Member of the Pastel Society of America; Portrait Society of America; Contemporary Art Group, Westfield; Westfield Arts Association; Pastel Society of New Jersey; Scotch Plains & Fanwood Arts Association; Millburn-Short Hills Art Center; and the Watchung Arts Center.

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or to learn about other programs and services please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711. E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

Public Info

RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital Volunteers Guild – Product Sales for 2011

The Volunteers Guild of RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital of Union County will sponsor product sales throughout 2011. The sales will feature items ranging from sheets and towels to jewelry; fragrances, cellular items and toys. All sales are held in the facility’s multi-purpose room, unless otherwise advised. RUNNELLS is located at 40 Watchung Way, Berkeley Heights. Sales run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and are handicapped accessible.
The upcoming vendor sales are:
Jan. 31 – Mr. Uniforms
Feb. 14 – Jewels & More
Feb. 28 – Ron’s Sheets & Towels
March 15 – In The Bag
March 28 – Cellular Needs
April 11 – N&N Linens & LGE Jewelry
April 25 – Sheila’s Fashion Group
May 10 – Holly’s Bags
May 23 – S & S Trading
June 6 – H.A.S. Sheets
June 20 – Topical Solutions & Shirt Mobile
Sept. 12 – Ideal Jewelry
Sept. 26 – R & K Fragrances
Oct. 7 – Bella Trends
Oct. 24 – The Silver Cottage
Nov. 7 – Simple Treasures
Nov. 21 – Nicole’s Boutique
Dec. 5 – Jewelry Lady
Dec. 19 – The Glove Lady, Reese Jewelry, Joe the Toy Man

The public is welcome to attend RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital product sales. A percentage of all purchases made at these sales is credited to the Volunteers Guild. Funds raised are used to enrich the lives of residents and patients by obtaining items that may include prizes for bingo games and paying for entertainment. The Guild, which makes vendor sales possible, also sponsors a holiday party/gift distribution in cooperation with the Berkeley Heights Lions Club.
“This is a perfect way for people to get items from fragrances and jewelry to toys and sheets while supporting the residents and patients at RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital,” said Union County Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh, Freeholder liaison to RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital.

The Volunteers Guild and the Office of Volunteer Services of RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital are always interested in recruiting volunteers, both adult and junior (age 14 and up). Flexible hours and a variety of opportunities exist with resident contact as well as performing other tasks. Anyone who would like information about volunteering or the above listed sales should call the Office of Volunteer Services at 908-771-5847.

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Public Info

Holiday Tree and Menorah Lighting

Union Couny Freeholder Chairman Daniel Sullivan (R), Vice Chairman Deborah Scanlon and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella attend the Union County Menorah and Tree Lighting Celebration during the 27th annual Holiday Nature Craft Show at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)