Pennsauken resident Gabriel Camacho was one of fifteen Camden County residents honored for their unselfish contributions to improving their community at the 2015 Camden County Freedom Medal Ceremony. The award, created by the Freeholder Board in 2001, is presented to civic leaders who demonstrate the ideals and actions that reflect the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“It’s a huge honor for me, my family and the community,” said Camacho, who has lived in Pennsauken for 15 years and serves a captain with the Camden County Police Force. “I think we have an obligation to give back when we have the opportunity to do so.”
“Each year since 2001, the Camden County Freedom Medal has been presented to honor extraordinary Camden County citizens who have generously contributed their time and effort to better their community while espousing the ideals indicative of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. “These exemplary citizens have demonstrated significant contributions in the area of community service. They serve as a model to us all.”
Gabriel Camacho has had a big impact as a catalyst for progress in the City of Camden. Born and raised in Camden County, he has volunteered for years in his hometown of Camden, helping those in need. For the past 15 years, Gabriel has volunteered as a board member and as Vice President for Puerto Rican Unity Progress, a nonprofit based in Camden that assists residents in employment, job training, health care, housing and much more.
Gabriel also is a volunteer member of Save Our Waterfront-North Camden and is the past president of the local Hispanic Police Officers Society, where he co-founded the organization’s Thanksgiving Back drive, providing turkeys and other holiday food to needy families across Camden and Pennsauken.
Camacho volunteers in schools, reading to children at Camden Charter School in North Camden, St. Anthony of Padua in Cramer Hill and Holy Name School in East Camden. His tireless volunteer efforts make the City of Camden a better place to live.
“Years ago, I was raised by a single mother myself, so I know how it is to do without,” says Camacho. “Everything we have is a gift and we should appreciate it. But it shouldn’t be a gift we hold so tight that we don’t share with others. I think each of us in their own way have an obligation to touch someone and make their day just a little bit better.”
