By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

Last week, representatives from P.J. Whelihan’s Restaurant Group, staff from Saint Cecilia’s Little Angels, and parish officials were joined by members of Pennsauken Township Committee for the ribbon cutting of a brand new playground at the preschool and daycare center located on Camden Ave. The playground, complete with brand new equipment, padded play surface, and new wooden fence, was the realization of a dream over a decade in the making, made possible from a generous donation from Bob Platzer and P.J. Whelihan’s Restaurant Group.

“Since I stared in 2001, I was never happy with the playground here, but we never had the funds to do what we needed to do. We were trying to raise money, but we came to a standstill,” explains Vicky Caracciolo, director of Saint Cecilia’s Little Angels. “We actually sent a little video and a letter to a few people. Bobby Platzer received it and said, ‘I’d like to come out and see what you’re doing.’

“I thought, ‘Maybe he’ll give us a small donation, won’t we be lucky?’ Well, he took over and he fulfilled all our dreams and all the children’s dreams.”

“I thought I’d be done in a week, but it turned into a nine-month job,” says Bob Platzer, a Pennsauken native who is CEO and founder of P.J. Whelihan’s Restaurant Group. “We gathered up some engineers, landscapers, and playground designers and they put this project together.”

Platzer went on to say that this more than just giving back to the community he grew up in. There is a real connection between his family and Saint Cecilia’s.

“My six brothers and sisters, we all went to school here. And today we’re going to dedicate this park in memorial to my mother, Kay Platzer, who was a tireless volunteer for Saint Cecilia’s.”

“Saint Cecilia’s has a special place in this community and this playground will support the children for many years to come. I’m particularly happy to be here today to celebrate that,” adds Betsy McBride, deputy mayor of Pennsauken Township. “I was reminded when I got Vicky’s invitation about the women who volunteer all their lives. It was particularly poignant to have Bob talk about his mother in the same way. Many women in this community not only volunteer to make a special place for children, but for all of our residents.”

Fr. Ed Friel, pastor of Saint Cecilia’s Church at Mary Queen of All Saints Parish, was among the many people who expressed their thanks for the dedication and commitment of the many volunteers and workers, including Knights of Columbus Council #3512, Maser Consulting, RDA Construction Company, Perrenial and Knoll Top Nursery, all of whom generously donated time, labor, and discounted supplies, as well as Ray McCausland, facilities director for P.J. Whelihan’s Restaurant Group, who oversaw the project.

“I thank the Platzers and everybody who has been working [on this project]. Living on this side [next to the playground], I’ve seen all the construction guys and their hard work.”

But the biggest indication of a job well done was the joyful squeals of happy “Little Angels,” as they ran, slid, and bounced away on a sunny Wednesday afternoon.