All Around Pennsauken

During last month’s Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders meeting at the Camden County Boathouse, several Pennsauken residents and organizations were recognized for their service to the community.

After Boy Scout Troop 118 led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the national anthem by Pennsauken High School senior Kylie Jones, the Freeholders recognized three Pennsauken residents for their work in the community.

Captain Dan Kerr, recipient of the county’s Community Award, has served with the Pennsauken Fire Department for 22 years. During this time, he’s been responsible for creating the School Public Education Program and the Fire Investigation Unit, and served as the first unit leader of the Pennsauken Fire Department Honor Guard. In his brief remarks, Kerr, who was also raised in Pennsauken, stressed the importance of individual communities, who worked together for the good of the whole.

 Angela Nguyen, a senior at Pennsauken High School, was recognized with the Young Community Leader Award. Currently fifth in her class with a GPA of 4.3, Nguyen is taking 7 AP Courses; scored a 1390 on her SAT; editor-in-chief of the Penndian, the high school’s newspaper; president of the Leo Club; a peer tutor; member of the National Honor Society; as well as a senior leader, among several other accomplishments.

“This award isn’t just my award. It’s an award for the community that raised me,” said Nguyen, during an inspiring speech. “I am a product of all of the teachers at Pennsauken High School, who encouraged me to learn and to think for myself; my family, who taught me to strive to be better; for friends who are always there to support me; for Pennsauken, my community, who has offered me so much.”

Karina Istvan was recognized by the County with its Sustainability Hero award. A two-year member of Pennsauken’s Shade Tree Commission, Istvan has re-energized the membership with her contributions. With a background in landscape design, Karina has a significant working knowledge of our local trees, shrubs, etc. She has been invaluable with handling the Community Forestry Management Plan, which has been brought back to active status, thanks to her significant efforts. Her research was also instrumental in Pennsauken updating its ordinance in regards to the town’s approved tree list. In her remarks, Karina stressed the importance of trees and what they do for us.

The County also gave a donation to the Pennsauken Lions Club, a hard working organization that has served to Pennsauken and Merchantville communities for almost eight decades, through projects like eye screening initiatives for young students, supporting local Scouting, as well as raising scholarship funds for local graduating eighth graders and high school seniors. Pennsauken Lion Club President Ely Mateo, thanked the County on behalf of the 1.4 million Lions worldwide that go out of their way each and every day to make life better for their communities.

Finally, Pennsauken received over $150,000 from the County as part of the Township’s Community Development Block Grant, which helps provides housing assistance to individuals and families that meet specific criteria.

“We consider Camden County a very close partner of ours,” said Pennsauken Mayor Betsy McBride. “We couldn’t be Pennsauken without Camden County’s support.”