Category Archives: Community
Talented Students Performing This Week
This week, there are two opportunities to watch talented students perform at Pennsauken High School, 800 Hylton Rd.
Thursday. Dec. 8, at 7:00 p.m. is the Winter Choir and Instrumental Concert. Admission is free.
On Saturday, Dec. 10, at 11:00 a.m., Pennsauken Stages will perform “Disney’s The Lion King, Jr.” Tickets are just $5 per person.
Pennsauken Community Center Coming To Westfield Avenue
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
Pennsauken Township Committee and its municipal administration are excited to announce that a brand new community center will be built along Westfield Ave. as part of the town’s Community Recreation Complex. This historic multi-million dollar project is made possible entirely through federal funding, without impacting municipal taxes.
Pennsauken Kicks Off Holiday Season With Parade, Family Events
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
The holiday season is almost upon us, and Pennsauken Township is ready to celebrate! Later this month, residents can look forward to the town’s annual parade, several community events, and the town’s annual initiative to help those in need during the holidays.
Pennsauken’s 41st Annual Holiday Parade On November 26
The 41st annual Pennsauken Holiday Parade marches down Westfield Ave. at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26. This perennial favorite for children of all ages features fire engines, holiday-themed floats, musical entertainment, and a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The Holiday Parade begins at the Pennsauken Community Recreation Facility on Bethel Ave. and ends at 44th St. Pennsauken families are invited to bundle up, set up along the parade route, and help little ones to scoop up a variety of candied favorites.
“There’s nothing like a parade to start off the holiday season, and Pennsauken has a great one lined up for the Saturday after Thanksgiving,” said Pennsauken Mayor Jessica Rafeh. “This is a great event for the whole family, and we really hope to see a lot of our residents there.”
Pennsauken natives who have moved out of the area and others unable to attend can watch streaming video of the Holiday Parade via Facebook Live on the “Pennsauken Television” page.
Community groups are encouraged to participate in the parade. Their involvement will go a long way to bringing joy and hope to Pennsauken families during this festive season.
For more information about the Holiday Parade, call (856) 665-1000, ext. 151 or email jvazquez@pennsauken.gov. You can also visit PennsaukenEvents.com and “Pennsauken Township Holiday Parade” on Facebook.
Tree Lighting Held On December 7
For the third year in a row, Pennsauken’s municipal complex will be aglow during the town’s Holiday Tree Lighting. Held on Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., residents will be able to stroll through a holiday light display at the Township’s Municipal Building Complex, 5605 N. Crescent Blvd.
“Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their friends will once again help us light the tree for the holidays,” said Mayor Rafeh. “Afterwards, they’ll be greeting residents who stop by to enjoy a fun and entertaining light display.”
Santa Claus will arrive via fire truck, courtesy of the Pennsauken Township Fire Department. From there, Jolly Ole’ Saint Nicholas will join Township officials and some other special friends to officially light the Township’s evergreen tree for the holiday season.
“We have a variety of activities planned throughout the event,” added Vazquez. “You’ll be able to take photos with holiday characters, make a tasty purchase from several food trucks, and enjoy your favorite holiday songs.”
In addition, children who want their letters to Santa delivered to the North Pole can drop them off that evening in a special mailbox set up on site. Mr. Claus will read some of these notes in a special video that will be shared later in the month on Pennsauken Television’s YouTube channel and via social media.
The Township will also be accepting new, unwrapped toys during that time for the annual Angel Tree program, which helps local families in need during the holidays.
Angel Tree Program
Once again, Pennsauken residents and businesses are preparing to pitch in to help children in the community during the holiday season through the Angel Tree program.
Last year, dozens of Pennsauken families were helped through the Angel Tree program; the initiative for 2022 hopes to support the same number of families.
“Each and every year, the Pennsauken community really steps up for the Angel Tree program,” said Vazquez. “A lot of residents, businesses, and organizations are extremely generous with a variety of donations.”
Individuals can purchase a new, unwrapped toy and leave it at the Pennsauken Township Municipal Building, Route 130 and Merchantville Ave., from Nov. 28 through 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16. Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated.
For more information or to volunteer for the Angel Tree program, call (856) 665-1000, ext. 151 or email jvazquez@pennsauken.gov.
Pennsauken Native Pushes For A Few Extra Miracles
After COVID-19 severely attacked his lungs, doctors told Bob Haines that he’s lucky to be alive. But as he completes his testing for a double lung transplant, he needs some more miracles to get his life back.
Food Donation Drive This Weekend
The Luis Ortiz Group of Berkshire Hathaway and the Alex Pagano Team of Cross County Mortgage is partnering with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to collect food for those less fortunate.
Bags will be collected in the Collins Tract section of town Nov. 19 and 20.
For more details or to schedule a donation, call 856-357-0073.
New Jersey General Election Held Tuesday, November 8
By Pam Forman, Township Clerk
The 2022 New Jersey General Election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
For those voting by mail, ballots were mailed out to eligible residents in late September. In addition to using the U.S. Mail, voters can also place their competed ballots in the drop box located in the Township’s municipal complex, 5605 N. Crescent Blvd., by 8:00 p.m. on Nov. 8.
Early voting is open now through Nov. 6. For more details, visit the New Jersey Voter Information Portal at https://nj.gov/state/elections/vote.shtml.
A list of polling locations for this month’s election can be found below. Residents who have voted by mail in the past and wish to cast their votes in person at a polling place must do so via a provisional ballot.
Should residents have any questions, please feel free to contact the Clerk’s Office at (856) 665-1000 x122 or x124.
Polling Location |
Street Address |
District #s |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Lutheran Church | 5600 North Rt. 130 | 1, 11, & 24 |
| Pennsauken Free Public Library | 5605 North Rt. 130 | 2, 7, 12, &15 |
| Faith Independent Bible Church | 7651 Rogers Ave. | 3 & 23 |
| Martin Luther Christian School | 4106 Terrace Ave. | 4 & 16 |
| Pennsauken Municipal Court | 2400 Bethel Ave. | 5 |
| Pennsauken Senior Towers | 8001 Maple Ave. | 6 |
| Homestead Youth Center | 4771 Willow Ave. | 8 & 10 |
| St. Mathews United Methodist Church | 1665 Derousse Ave. | 9 & 14 |
| Pennsauken United Methodist Church | 3451 Pennsylvania Ave. | 13, 17, & 18 |
| Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission | 6751 Westfield Ave. | 19 |
| Stonegate at Saint Stephen’s | 5101 Stonegate Dr. | 20 & 21 |
| Cooper River Plaza | 2400 McClellan Dr. | 22 |
Open House, “Frost On The Pumpkin” This Month At Pennsauken’s Historic Homes
Information Provided By The Pennsauken Historical Society
We hope that all residents were able to come out and enjoy the experience of living history at the Griffith Morgan House and Burrough-Dover House last month! October was history month in Camden County, and there were over 80 events hosted by the Camden County History Alliance.
History is just as plentiful in November at Pennsauken Historical Society! Our first Sunday open house will be held on Nov. 6 at Burrough-Dover House from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The house will be opened for tours and historical conversations. There will also be activities for children that have a harvest theme.
We will be hosting our annual “Frost on the Pumpkin” event on Saturday, Nov. 19, at our Griffith Morgan House. From 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., guests will get to experience living history with demonstrations of old-time chores and activities. The house will be open for tours, and historical discussions as well!
Grace Episcopal Fall Fair Held October 29
Grace Episcopal Church, 7 E. Maple Ave., Merchantville, is holding a fall fair on Saturday, Oct. 29, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The event features a large basket and gift card raffle; attendees can buy tickets to win one of three great prizes: a $1,500 Wegmans gift card, a $500 Wawa gift card, and a $250 Burlington store gift card.
The Fall Fair also includes Santa’s gift shop, where children to buy affordable gifts for mom and dad; a running train display by the Cherry Valley Model Railroad; and great food, including delicious Spanish food from the kitchen, as well as bake goods and deli table; and more.
Local Halloween Events
“Spooky Season” is upon us! And to get local residents into the Halloween spirit, both Pennsauken Township and the Borough of Merchantville have some great events lined up.
Pennsauken’s Annual Fall Festival This Saturday
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
Pennsauken Township, in association with the Pennsauken Firefighters Association, will host its Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 15. This annual event, held from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Pennsauken Community Recreation Complex on Westfield Ave., brings the Township community together with a family-friendly atmosphere.
