Who Will You Nominate for the Outstanding Recognition Award?

Recent headlines out of Washington make us only too aware of the negative impact that Congress’s inaction has on the quality of life in our national community. It is frustrating and disillusioning to see our government leadership fail to “get the job done” for those they were elected to represent. By contrast, in our local Cape May County community there are many in and out of government that labor throughout the year to enrich the general quality of life.
The Cape May County Outstanding Service Recognition Award is a People’s Choice acknowledgement of these local “can do” efforts. The purpose of this Award is to acknowledge Cape May County individuals, organizations and/or businesses for their particular contributions to improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities living in our county. The general public is invited to identify and nominate those who go above and beyond, by any standards, for individuals with disabilities.
In 2011, the Upper Township Challenger Sports Program, a co-ed adapted team sports program for children ages five through 18 with physical and/or developmental disabilities, was the big winner. Its founders, Daryl and Jen DiTroia, were congratulated by their supporters throughout the community and received special recognition from the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders, U.S. Representative Lo Biondo, U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg and State Senator Jeff Van Drew.
In 2012, awards were given to an individual as well as an organization. Carolyn Richards was recognized for her extraordinary tenacity, organizational skills, and professionalism in creating a new South Jersey hearing loss support group at Cape Regional Medical Center. Carolyn, who is herself deaf, was lauded as an untiring advocate for anyone trying to understand or live with adult deafness.
The organization that was honored in 2012 was the Cape May County S.W.I.M. Inc. Program, founded by Jean Kammer and still going strong 26 years later. The mission of S.W.I.M. is to provide a safe and supportive environment for adults with impaired mobility to participate in aquatic exercise, emphasizing faculties of body, mind, and spirit in a social gathering of caring and respect. It was noted at the award presentation that Jean continues to supervise the program, along with family members and 20 one-on-one volunteers who are enrolled through the RSVP Program.
The Cape May County Department of Aging and Disability Services is now accepting nominations for the 2013 Outstanding Service Recognition Award. To nominate a deserving candidate, you may request a Nomination Form from Paulann Pierson (609-886-2784; ppierson@co.cape-may.nj.us) or go to the CMC Department of Aging and Disability Services home page on the county website (www.co.cape-may.nj.us) for a link to the Nomination Form. Completed forms may be mailed to Paulann Pierson, Cape May County Department of Aging and Disability Services, 4005 Route 9 South, Rio Grande, NJ 08242 or emailed to ppierson@co.cape-may.nj.us. Deadline for submitting nominations is Oct. 25th.
The competition for the 2013 Outstanding Service Recognition Award is open. Cast your ballot for those in our county who give of their time and talents for individuals with disabilities. The winner or winners of this year’s award will be honored at the 5th Annual Cape May County Community Disabilities Awareness Day event being held on Nov. 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at a new location, the Avalon Elementary School. Come see if your candidate is honored on that day.
DID YOU KNOW?
• A free Parenting Opportunity Partnership Conference for parents of children ages six and under will be held on Oct. 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Cape May County Schools for Special Services on Crest Haven Road in Court House. Keynote speaker, Mike Huber, will speak on Parenting as a Vehicle to Change the Future One Life at a Time. Short, focused workshops will be provided on budgeting, stress management, child development, nutrition and health, and parenting tips. A complimentary lunch, childcare and transportation are available with advance registration. Contact Christa Weis at 898-5500 by Oct. 10 to register.
• Rejoicing Spirits is an inclusive Christian worship and fellowship community that embraces the gifts of those with intellectual disabilities. St. John holds Rejoicing Spirits worship services the 2nd Sunday of every month at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend these joyful services. The next one is on Oct. 19. For more information, contact the church office at 399-0798; office@stjohnlutheranoc.org
• The Alzheimer’s Association, Delaware Valley Chapter is sponsoring three free consumer workshops at the Ocean City Free Library at 1735 Simpson Ave. All sessions will start at 6:30 pm and end at 8:00 pm. The first workshop (Oct. 9) will be on Early Detection; on Oct. 24, the topic will be “I remember better when I paint; the last session (Oct. 30) will be on Behavior and Communication Issues. Please call (800) 272-3900 to register no later than one week before any of the workshops.
• Able Newspaper, the newspaper for, by and about the disabled, is now available online. Get a Free Subscription by visiting www.ablenews.com to register. Just click the FREE ONLINE EDITIONS button at the top left of the homepage to Read Able Online.
Pierson writes from the Cape May County Department of Aging and Disability Services