Related:
ARTIST Dave Wolfe
Vol. 6 No. 27 (Dec. 28, 2019)
Editor\’s Note: Each Sunday morning we post a weekly comic strip provided by cartoonist Dave Wolfe. Dave has been drawing since he was 5 years old, he knew he wanted to be a cartoonist at the age of 8. He’s been distributing his comics in school since 3rd grade. (click image to enlarge)
By Dave Fidlin |
The Center Square
Pennsylvanians are more likely to help their neighbors, stick with a volunteer activity and partake in fundraising compared to most other areas of the country, according to a recent
study.
Researchers with personal finance website WalletHub recently combed through various data for the study, “
2019’s Most Charitable States
.” Pennsylvania ranked sixth of the 50 states.
Charitable giving, naturally, is a front-and-center topic amid the holidays. WalletHub asked a number of academics and experts to weigh in on this topic in a broad sense.
Femida Handy, professor and director of the University of Pennsylvania’s social welfare program, offered her insight and views on a number of topics, including the percentage of income households should donate to charity.
“All households, with incomes above the median income, should donate, and they should donate anywhere from 2 to 6 percent of their incomes,” Handy said.
According to WalletHub, study data was analyzed into two overarching categories – the first being volunteering and service, the other under the overarching umbrella of charitable giving. Pennsylvania ranked No. 12 in the first category, and No. 11 in the second one.
However, more granular analyses within both categories were weighted differently, which pushed Pennsylvania into its single-digit position within WalletHub’s analysis.
A look at states’ numbers of volunteer hours per capita carried 12.5 points, for instance, while a metric on the number of charities per capita carried 2.78 points. All told, Pennsylvania notched 65.88 points in both categories.
WalletHub financial writer Adam McCann said multiple sources were considered for the analysis, with data gleaned from such organizations as the Corporation for National and Community Service, Charity Navigator, Gallup and U.S. Census Bureau.
Pennsylvania landed in the top 10 in five metrics. The state tied for No. 1 in the metric of state regulations deemed friendly to charities.
According to the report, 43.61 percent of Pennsylvanians engage in fundraising or sell items to raise money for a specific cause. The statistic landed the state in No. 4 for the individual metric.
Pennsylvania also landed in the top 20 percent of all states in the nation using Google to search for charities (No. 6 ranking). Data also revealed 58.9 percent of the state’s population reported doing favors for neighbors, resulting in a No. 8 ranking in the metric.
Additionally, the state was singled out for having a higher than average volunteer retention rate. Data suggested 69 percent of Pennsylvanians stick with a charity after pledging to volunteer time and money to the cause.
On the other end of the spectrum, Pennsylvania fell into the bottom 10 of all states in one specific metric: share of income donated. According to WalletHub, Pennsylvanians on average donate 1.12 percent of their income – a statistic that landed the state at No. 40.
Neighboring states had across-the-board overall ranks in the analysis. Maryland ranked No. 3, Ohio was No. 5, New York was No. 19, New Jersey was No 29 and West Virginia was No. 42.
The most charitable state, according to WalletHub, is Minnesota, while the least charitable is Arizona.
published here with permission of The Center Square
The greatest measure of a man is not measured in the crucible of imperfections, but rather, in the metamorphoses of what he becomes. Francis A. \”Frank\” Zappa was a man of strength and conviction. He was stern, argumentative and preferred to just do it himself. But, when Frank was needed, he was wise, dependable and unconditionally offered himself to the matter at hand. Mr. Zappa was a renaissance man who was accomplished in the kitchen, the garden, the dance floor and had been a part of the
Philadelphia Mummers Parade as a comic in the Liberty Clowns.
He was born in the cradle of Liberty, South Philadelphia. \”Mum-Town USA\”. During these formative years he had contributed to the manpower of our great nation serving as a coxswain in the United States Navy. Frank defended the ideals of our American freedoms during World War II in the American and Pacific Theaters aboard the troop ships; SS Robin Wentley, SS Cape Canso, SS Dashing Wave and the cargo ship SS R. Mansfield. The world in which we live equally distributes talent. But, it doesn\’t equally distribute opportunity. Opportunities are often disguised as hard work. Frank had driven a taxi through the city, owned and operated his own Barber Shops in Yeadon, Pa., Riverside and Delran. He made a career as an ironworker at G.H. Steel Co in Broomall, Pa.
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Frank pressed lady luck in the casinos at the craps table, enjoyed fishing, hunting and telling stories of the \”big one\” that got away. Some memories never leave your bones. Like the salt in the sea; they become part of you – and you carry them. We\’ll meet again. Don\’t know where, don\’t know when. But we know we\’ll meet again.
Mr. Zappa was the widower of his late wife of 64 years, Mary (Sassano), and was the father of Sandra and her husband, Peter Genzano, Barbara Adams, and Stephen and his wife, Mary Jane Zappa. He was the proud grandfather of seven and great grandfather of seven. Frank was the brother of the late Dominic Zappa and Rose Thomas, and is also survived and will be sadly missed by his many nieces and nephews. Mr. Zappa\’s family would like to extend a sincere thank you and sentiment of gratitude to Dr. Kathleen Heintz, everyone at MD Anderson and the Cooper Heart Institute for all of their care and concern.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019 at the Creran Celebration Etherington & Creran Funeral Homes, 400 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, N.J. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Cinnaminson. Interment New St. Mary\’s Cemetery & Mausoleum, Bellmawr, N.J.
CAMDEN CITY, NJ–The Battleship will open her decks for guests to watch the 6 pm or Midnight SugarHouse New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront.
We’ll have music, food concessions and bar service. We will open her decks two hours before each show – 4:00 pm for the 6:00 pm fireworks show and 10:00 pm for the midnight show.
Come aboard for just a $10 donation per person.
Become a member today ($40) and receive 5 free tickets to the fireworks show! Call (856) 966-1652 Extension 127 for details.
All proceeds go to the on-going restoration of the Battleship, a non-profit museum and memorial.
Fire the 5-inch gun at the conclusion of the 6:00 pm and Midnight Fireworks! We’ll offer chances for guests to pull the trigger and fire this historic gun on New Year’s Eve!
6 PM Show Tickets
Midnight Show Tickets
Also available by calling 866-877-6262 ext. 108, or at the Battleship’s Ticket Office, open every day from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, except Christmas Day, and prior to both the 6:00 pm and Midnight shows on New Year’s Eve.
Unless there are dangerous weather conditions, the fireworks will go forward, even if it’s raining. The Battleship will have the Officers’ Wardroom and the Exhibit interior spaces on the main deck open for guests prior to the start of the fireworks.
There are no chairs and lawn chairs are not permitted to be brought aboard the Battleship. No alcohol is permitted to be brought aboard the Battleship.
Both SugarHouse New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront shows are free to Battleship Members.
Location:
62 Battleship Place Camden, NJ 08103
PATERSON, NJ (December 28, 2019)–Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh (photo) and council members have agreed to set up what’s called a 401(a) plan, tax-differed retirement saving accounts, for retiring public safety employees. According to The Paterson Times members of the City Council approved
a measure this past Monday allowing Sayegh’s administration to set up the plan at the request of the police and fire unions.
Under the proposal, the city will deposit the accumulated leave time payouts for police and fire employees into the tax-differed retirement savings accounts. Before the new year, the city is paying $1.2 million to 19 firefighters and police officers. The sum is a partial severance payout for the employees.
Municipal official disclosed the city has to pay approximately $5 million in accumulated leave time payouts to firefighters and police officers. The lot includes approximately 30 employees, said officials.
Read More
From left, Lori Gustave, of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Dr. James M. Pond, medical director of the Cancer Program and Cancer Committee chairman at Shore Cancer Center, Joy Sutter, of Penn Medicine, and Joseph Johnston, of Shore Cancer Center, celebrate the new agreement. (Photo courtesy Shore Medical Center)
SOMERS POINT NJ–Shore Medical Center in Somers Point and Penn Medicine announced Tuesday that the Shore Cancer Center is now a member of the Penn Cancer Network.
The agreement brings expanded access to the highest quality cancer care for patients across southeast New Jersey, according to a press release.
The Penn Cancer Network is a select group of community hospitals throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware collaborating with Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center to provide excellence in cancer care throughout the region.
Penn’s Cancer Network hospitals are recognized for their excellence in patient care and a commitment to improving the health and well-being of their community.
“This is an historic announcement for Shore and our community. On behalf of our Board of Trustees, physicians, clinical and support staff, I want to let those patients who are battling cancer in our community know that we are doing everything we can to help you,” Ron Johnson, president and CEO of Shore Medical Center, said in the release. “We joined the Penn Center Network so our patients continue to receive the best possible care close to home, right here in Somers Point.”
David Hughes, Shore’s chief development officer and chief financial officer, said, “My family has a long history with the Shore Cancer Center. My father in-law Dr. George Mckeon, was an ED doctor at Shore Medical Center and World War II veteran who was wounded storming the beaches of Normandy. He settled in Somers Point with his wife who he met while attending medical school in Ireland.”
Hughes continued, “The Cancer Center now sits on the site of our family’s former home site and medical practice. I believe in the team at Shore Cancer Center, and we are so proud to have such great partners in Penn Medicine. The partnership with Penn Medicine will help us further our reach into the community, and garner additional support that will have a direct impact on cancer patient care.”
Joseph Johnston, director of Oncology Services at Shore Cancer Center, said the Penn Cancer Network offers a host of benefits that amount to a tremendous clinical advantage.
“Our partnership with Penn includes clinical research, community and patient education, disease-specific program development, patient access, professional education for nurses and physicians, and quality and safety,” Johnston said.
Robert Vonderheide, director of the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, said, “Providing the highest quality cancer care and expanding access for patients across the region – and beyond – is a chief priority of the Penn Cancer Network.”
After 30 years, Mike and Peaches Lukens are wrapping up what is expected to be their last Community Christmas Dinner.
By TIM KELLY/
Somers Point News
OCEAN CITY, NJ–Ocean City Councilman Keith Hartzell, a longtime volunteer and benefactor to Wednesday’s Community Christmas Dinner in Ocean City, took a moment to consider the event organizers, Mike and Peaches Lukens.
The couple conceived the event in 1989, organized it and executed it every year since.
“They are the heart and soul of what it means to call Ocean City ‘America’s Greatest Family Resort,’” Hartzell said. “We’re a beach resort in the summer. In the other nine months, we’re a Norman Rockwell painting. We’re Mayberry. We’re small town America coming together as a community. Nothing says it better than this event.”
Peaches and Mike, who started the event by serving approximately 150 people at the old Ocean City Youth Center, have seen their idea grow into one of the town’s most beloved events. For more than 20 years now, it has taken place at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church.
“We will serve more than 800 meals today,” Mike Lukens said of the event, which ran from noon to 3 p.m. Christmas Day. “We were prepared to serve 1,200. We served more than 500 dinners in the first hour alone.”
He and his wife announced earlier in the year that this would be their last at the helm of the event. The couple relocated to Cape May, and found it more difficult to accomplish the many details of the dinner from a long distance.
Mike did leave some wiggle room, though. “Maybe someone will rope us into it one more year,” he said with a laugh, and added, “We will be involved in some way. It just won’t be the same.”
No, it won’t. Mike and Peaches and Jennifer Bowman, who handles much of the marketing side of the dinner, were in search of sponsorship to take over the financial cost of the dinner, possibly in exchange for the sponsor’s name on the event.
Enjoying the community dinner are (clockwise from bottom left) Connie Henry, Bill Henry, Jim Kelly, Donna Kelly, Rob Kelly, Shannon Kelly, Mason Henry and Jordan Henry.
They were also considering crowdfunding as an option to help keep the tradition intact.
Last week, after reading of the event’s situation in an OCNJDaily.com article, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian personally donated a new commercial grade refrigerator to the church after learning the old one needed to be replaced right away.
Individual and group donations poured in after the story, raising most of the funds needed to pay for this year’s dinner and its staging.
Bowman was quick to point out that while the dinner has fed thousands of people in need over the years, it is not designed for that purpose alone.
“Mike and Peaches wanted a nice, free, fun event for people who had nowhere else to go. Or people who have family elsewhere and can’t get away.”
Peaches Lukens serves beverages at the holiday dinner at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church.
Hartzell, who has donated beverages for the dinner for years, said he was a good example. A traveling sales executive, he said Christmas “is one day where I can relax and my phone won’t ring. I live in the neighborhood and I can walk here. I’m able to volunteer and help.”
“But I’m also able to enjoy it, have a great meal and take some food home,” Hartzell continued.
Throughout the dining area, individuals, couples, families and larger groups were seen interacting and enjoying each other’s company and a great holiday meal.
“This is a fantastic thing for the community,” said “Lenny B,” a DJ and karaoke singer who kept the Christmas music flowing. “I’m here every year, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
In addition to food and music, candy, toys and toiletries were handed out to those in need. People needing rides were transported to and from the event, and shut-ins were the recipients of donated and delivered meals.
Hartzell summed up the Christmas and community spirit that permeates the dinner year in and year out.
“Ocean City was founded by God-fearing people,” he said. “Today’s event shows once again that we are still a God-fearing community.”
DJ and karaoke master “Lenny B” provides the entertainment.
(December 28, 2019)–The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved the first set of plans submitted by states and Indian tribes for the domestic production of hemp under the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. The plans were submitted by the states of Louisiana, New Jersey, and Ohio, and the Flandreau Santee Sioux, Santa Rosa Cahuilla, and La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indian Tribes.
image courtesy of
https://www.agriculture.com/
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) directed USDA to develop a regulatory oversight program for hemp and include provisions for USDA to approve hemp production plans submitted by states and Indian tribes. Accordingly, on October 31, 2019, USDA issued an
interim final rule
establishing the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program and the provisions for USDA to approve submitted plans. State and tribal plans provide details on practices and procedures that enable hemp producers in their jurisdictions to operate according to their individual plans and in compliance with federal laws.
To produce hemp, growers must be licensed or authorized under a state, tribe, or USDA production program. The program a grower is licensed under depends on the location of the hemp growing facility. If a state or tribe has an approved plan or is in the process of developing a plan, growers must apply and be licensed or authorized under its hemp program. If a state or tribe does not have a plan and does not intend to have a plan, growers can apply for a license from USDA.
USDA continues to receive and review plans from states and Indian tribes and maintains a list of all on our website, along with approved plans. To check the status of a plan or to review approved plans, visit:
Status of State and Tribal Hemp Production Plans
.
For additional information about the program and the provisions of the interim final rule, visit the
U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program
web page.
For information or questions related to a specific plan, please contact the applicable state or tribe.
PENNSAUKEN, NEW JERSEY – With a focus on increasing awareness of the impact of food insecurity and the importance of healthy eating in the youth community of South Jersey, the Food Bank of South Jersey announces recording artist CC Miles, 18, will serve as Youth Ambassador 2020.
Recording artist CC Miles
As Youth Ambassador 2020 for the Food Bank, Miles will bring the message of food insecurity and hunger awareness to regional schools, communities and organizations, as well as work directly with the Food Bank of South Jersey’s Health & Wellness and Community Engagement & Impact teams to distribute information and resources to support healthy eating, nutrition awareness and an understanding of the many faces of food insecurity in South Jersey communities today.
“I am honored to support the Food Bank of South Jersey’s mission to spread food insecurity awareness and health and wellness strategies and eating habits to young people throughout South Jersey,” CC Miles shares. “Nutrition is a very important topic for me, personally, and I can see no better way to share my enthusiasm for healthy eating and proper nutrition while, at the same time, assist young people in South Jersey in understanding the disaster of everyday hunger that impacts so many children, families and entire communities.”
Currently, in Camden County alone, there are 17,200 food-insecure children, 24% of whom are currently ineligible for federal nutrition programs, and 76% of whom are currently income-eligible for nutrition programs – at least, as of today.
Overall in Camden County alone, the total food-insecure population is over 60,000. Food insecure populations in Burlington, Gloucester and Salem counties are equally sobering. Burlington County currently has 41,680 food-insecure residents, of which 10,960 are food-insecure children. Gloucester County holds 8,180 food-insecure children in a total food-insecure population of 26,860 individuals. Suffering the impact of rural hunger, the less populated farmlands of Salem County shows 8,080 food-insecure individuals, of which 2,550 are children – all of which may live more than 10 miles from the nearest grocery store.
“We are delighted to appoint CC Miles our Youth Ambassador for 2020,” reports Fred Wasiak, CEO, Food Bank of South Jersey. “The message of food insecurity and its impact on children throughout our region is a vital point of understanding for today’s youths – awareness can, and will, create power and change in the effort to end hunger in South Jersey.”
ABOUT CC MILES
Recording artist and songwriter CC Miles has released three albums in less than five years, with her most recent album,
Almost
, released in August 2018. Popular on iTunes, Apple Music and Spotify, CC engages her growing
and
YouTube
followers with new releases and original music between touring the country performing live in Nashville, New York, throughout the United States and internationally, including performances in Italy. Whether on stage, on tape, or on-screen, 18-year-old recording artist CC Miles invites everyone into her world. By way of candid lyrics, genuine charm, and undeniable charisma, the singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist imparts a storytelling sensibility on impassioned and irresistible pop. Driven by her voice as a writer and augmented by personal instrumental prowess, she shines through each side of every song. At first listen, you might just feel like you know her. CC Miles was born and raised in Medford Lakes, New Jersey. For more information, visit
www.ccmiles.com
.
ABOUT FOOD BANK OF SOUTH JERSEY
Marking its 35th year in 2020, the Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) is the leader in providing safe and nutritional food to people in need throughout South Jersey. FBSJ distributes food, provides nutrition education and cooking courses, and helps food-insecure families and seniors find sustainable ways to improve their lives. Throughout 2019, FBSJ distributed 14 million pounds of food, including 75,000 after school snacks, over 200,000 summer meals and more than 15,000 senior food boxes, as well as serving 95 health and wellness programs to more than 6,000 residents. Providing community impact through local support, FBSJ ensures that local donations stay local. FBSJ is a member of Feeding America, our nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. To learn more, visit
www.foodbanksj.org
.
UMC The Shores in Ocean City
OCEAN CITY, NJ–United Methodist Communities (UMC) is the recipient of four 2019 MarCom Awards, an international creative competition recognizing outstanding marketing and communications professionals.
The MarCom Awards administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and
Communication Professionals, consists of several thousand marketing, communication, advertising, public relations, digital, and web professionals. This year, they judged over 6,500 entries representing the United States, Canada, and 18 other countries.
The fall 2018 issue of
engage
, UMC’s newsletter, took Platinum. With the theme, Then and Now, it contrasted the organization’s founding year, 1907 with 2017. Platinum winners are the most outstanding for their excellence in quality, creativity, and resourcefulness. They demonstrate excellence in terms of quality, creativity, and resourcefulness. About 17 percent won Platinum.
Entries judged to exceed the high standards of the industry norm received Gold awards. Approximately 24 percent fell into this category. The United Methodist Communities at Collingswood Facebook site garnered Gold.
MarCom conferred two Honorable Mention awards: A video from the Connections series (UMC’s YouTube channel), Lori and Irma, portrays the endearing relationship between a frontline professional and a resident. The UMC Foundation’s summer 2018 newsletter,
United in Philanthropy
, received the second Honorable Mention.
The awards represent collaboration with creative partners Merz Branding (West Chester, PA), Image Revolver (Philadelphia, PA), and Masterpiece Marketing (Lancaster, PA).
Robbie Voloshin, corporate director of marketing, reflected, “Our Marketing Department and partners continue to produce outstanding work showcasing United Methodist Communities as an expert senior living resource in New Jersey. These four awards further encourage us in our overall goal to benefit older adults.”
Corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, public relations firms, design shops, production companies, and freelancers, submitted entries. With varied talent, they have participated in the concept, writing, and design of print, visual, audio and web materials and programs entered. Judges are industry professionals who recognize talent that exceeds a high standard of excellence and serves as an industry benchmark. Winners range from individual communicators to media conglomerates and Fortune 500 companies.
# # #
About United Methodist Communities
United Methodist Communities is a not-for-profit organization guided by a volunteer board of directors affiliated in ministry with the United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey. The mission of the United Methodist Communities is compassionately serving in community so that all are free to choose abundant life.
With over 112 years of continuous operation, the organization has grown to 13 locations offering independent, residential and assisted living; Tapestries® Memory Care; respite; rehabilitation; long-term care; Bridges Hospice and Palliative Care; affordable senior housing; and case management, live-in and in-home personal care through HomeWorks.