PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany Troy-Hills Health Department was notified that a raccoon found on Hardwick Court and a raccoon on Fox Hill Road has tested positive for the Rabies virus.

Rabies is a fatal disease of warm-blooded mammals caused by a virus, most frequently spread through a bite or scratch from an infected animal. An infected animal has the rabies virus in its saliva and infects other animals or people through bites and contact with saliva. Once infected animals become ill, they may bite or attack other animals or people.

Common carriers of the virus are raccoons, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, bats, and feral (stray) cats.  You are advised to stay away from wild animals and animals that you do not know.  Please DO NOT FEED STRAY ANIMALS.  Do not make pets of wild animals.  Be certain that your dog is properly licensed, vaccinated and up to date on their rabies vaccination. If you know of any stray cats, or dogs or any other animal in the area acting strangely, please contact the Parsippany Animal Control at (973) 263-7083.
Please keep garbage in a container with a tight fitting lid to prevent attracting animals. Clean up spilled bird seed. Do not leave pet food out for extended time periods.

If you are exposed (either bitten or scratched) by any suspected animal; please act promptly.  Immediately wash the bite wound with soap and water and call your physician and the Health Department.  If your pet is bitten or in a fight with a wild animal, please contact the Parsippany Health Department at (973)-263-7160 and your Veterinarian.

MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) voted against flawed vote-by-mail legislation saying the measure fails to address the significant issue of voter fraud.

“The vote-by-mail expansion that we were here to fix was flawed for more reasons than those recently identified by the Secretary of State,” said Pennacchio. “Voter fraud is very real in New Jersey, and much of that fraud centers on ballots not cast in a polling place. This legislation does nothing to prevent illegal aliens from voting or to stop campaign operatives from illegally registering people, collecting ballots, and rigging elections.”

Pennacchio offered amendments to the legislation (S-4069) on the Senate floor that would increase the penalties for certain crimes involving voting and voting processes.

Pennacchio’s amendment would have raised those to crimes of the second degree with significantly increased penalties.

“Since the vote-by-mail expansion was enacted, we’ve seen a number of cases of voter fraud move through our state’s judicial system,” said Pennacchio. “It’s clear that current penalties are not an effective deterrent. We need to make the crime of subverting our elections serious enough that nobody will want to risk the penalties for breaking the law.”

Democrats immediately tabled his amendment.

“It’s inexplicable that the Democratic majority would block an effort to protect the integrity of elections in New Jersey,” added Pennacchio. “Until we act to secure our elections, we’ll continue to be at increased risk of voter fraud.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Veterans who served in the National Guard are finally able to use the guard’s discharge form to obtain a county veterans ID card after legislation was signed by the governor.

Assemblyman Sean Kean and Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce sponsored the bill (S2538/A3455) making it easier for retired Guard members to access county military benefits. It passed the Assembly in June after passing the Senate in July 2018.

“It should be an easy process for these brave men and women to obtain a veterans identification card or the veterans designation on their license,” said Kean (R-Monmouth). “This law ensures veterans of the National Guard who have NGB-22 forms are eligible for the benefits they earned.”

According to the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, there are more than 8,300 Army and Air guardsmen in New Jersey.

“New Jersey takes great pride in the programs and services available to our veterans,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). “Former members of the guard should be able to take advantage of them, too. This makes it easier for them to get the benefits they need.”

PARSIPPANY — Over a hundred residents of all nationalities celebrated the “Indian Independence Day and Flag Raising Ceremony” held at Parsippany-Troy Hills Municipal Building on Saturday, August 17.

The event was hosted by Mayor Michael Soriano and the Indian-American Seniors Association of Morris County. Raj Patel, President – Indian American Senior Association began the program with opening remarks.

The raising of the American Flag was completed by Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Explorers 131 members, Justin Wellman, Jamison Snyder and Marissa Cogan. The raising of the Indian Flag was done by Hari Kundram.

The Indian National Anthem was performed by Ruya Dadheech.

During the event, Shala Gagliardi, presented a “Congressional Certificate” from the 11th Congressional District, Congresswoman Mikey Sherrill.

There were many cultural performances including, “Morni Baagan Maa” by Riya Dadheech; “I Love My India” performed by the Ensemble Performance; Aavo Shri Vallabh Shri Vitthal also performed by the Ensemble Performance; “Aye Vatan Aye Vatan Aabaad Rahe Tu” by Devisha Desai and “Saare Jahan SeSchla” by the Ensemble Performance.

Indian Independence Day and Flag Raising Ceremony

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PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Foundation President Frank Cahill presented a donation to Director of Development Dominique Tornabe of Family Promise.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany makes an annual donation to support the efforts of Family Promise.

Family Promise of Morris County is a non-sectarian not-for-profit organization dedicated to the ending the crisis of homelessness by Morris County families by partnering with other public and private agencies, religious congregations and community volunteers to provide shelter, case management and mentoring services leading to self-sufficiency.

Family Promise of Morris County is a non-profit organization modeled after Family Promise started in Union County in 1986. This program has been replicated nationwide, involving 4,000 congregations and over 160,000 volunteers from over 180 networks. Family Promise of Morris County has 76 participating congregations and involves over 1,600 dedicated volunteers. Each year, many families in crisis are provided with emergency shelter,
meals and support services. In 2017, we served 44 individuals in our shelter program and worked with  them to obtain permanent housing, employment & childcare. In 2017, our Community Support Program served 33 families and 35 single women.

How does the Network operate?
A host congregation provides overnight lodging for a maximum of 14 guests for a period of one week at its facility. Support groups (other congregations and civic groups) provide volunteers and food. Guests are given dinner, evening companionship, beds for the night and early morning breakfast. Their daytime hours are spent searching for employment, working, attending classes and/or seeking affordable housing. Families entering the Family Promise family shelter are provided with:

• Warm safe shelter • Transportation to & from shelter • Three nutritious meals/day • On-going emotional support from volunteers • Intensive case management and life skills • 24 hour on-call response • Counseling • Health assessment and monitoring • Child care Assistance • Phone line and computer • Information and referrals • Relocation assistance • Donations of furniture & household items • Follow up assistance and mentoring

What happens when families leave shelter? The Community Support Program (CSP) provides assistance to those who have successfully transitioned from shelter into their own homes. CSP families receive in-home case management, 24-hour on call support/crisis intervention, financial literacy and debt reduction, mentoring programs, and in-kind support. We tailor our services to meet the needs of each family rather than trying to fit them into an existing mold. The main goal of this program is to keep families housed and together and to break the cycle of homelessness and generational poverty. CSP was expanded to include providing case management to families currently on our waiting list and those who have transitioned to permanent or transitional housing from other agencies. We are also working closely with other local non-profit organizations to connect their clients to additional community resources that they may need.

Our Promise is based out of the basement of First Baptist Church of Morristown and serves the local homeless population. It provides phone and computer access, mailing address, restrooms, warming/cooling center, information and referral, linkage to medical and dental services, case management, systems advocacy and more. Our Promise is open Monday to Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and can be reached by phone at (973) 644-0100 or email at ourpromise@familypromisemorris.org.

Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Our members, Kiwanians, are service-minded men and women who are united in their commitment and compassion for others.

At the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, we want to ensure that all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, successful lives. We believe that by helping one child, you help the world.

You are invited to attend a meeting on Thursday morning at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46, Parsippany.

We hope you will be able to join us to learn more about Kiwanis and see how you fit into the picture. Newcomers and visiting clubs always welcome!

PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany cooked a homemade dinner at Homeless Solutions.

The Kiwanis Club has been providing meals to Homeless Solutions for the past 18 years and have served over 7,000 meals. Members volunteer their time to shop, cook and serve the dinner.

Costco Warehouse East Hanover and Restaurant Depot donated some of the food used in preparing the meals for the residents. The remaining necessary items were purchased by Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany.

The group of volunteers meet at Homeless Solutions to start preparing dinner for the guests in the transitional housing program. Bob and Debbie cut the watermelon, tossed salad, baked ziti with meatballs and rolls and served vanilla cheesecake for dessert. They also served iced tea and coffee. Other volunteer groups such as St. Ann’s Church, Kiwanis Club of Morristown, prepares dinner for the shelter on other days of the month. Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany has been providing meals to Homeless Solutions for the past eleven years.

Interested in learning more about the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, contact President Karen DeChristopher, by emailing karen.dechristopher@gmail.com.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets every Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46. Join us for breakfast to learn more about our group of volunteers.

PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Karen DeChristopher inducted Olena Kondryshyn as a new member of the club on Thursday, August 22.

Club President Karen DeChristopher presented Olena with her membership plaque and Sponsoring Member Nicolas Limanov placed the official Kiwanis membership pin on Olena.

Karen DeChristopher said “We welcome Olena to this global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.”

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is the largest Kiwanis Club in the State of New Jersey with 77 members. New members are always welcome. (Click here for more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany). Kiwanis members dedicate more than 6 million volunteer hours and invest more than $100 million in service projects that strengthen communities and serve children every year. Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany ensures that all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, successful lives. They believe that by helping one child, you help the world.

Kiwanis member Nicolas Limanov, new member Olena Kondryshyn and Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Karen DeChristopher

PARSIPPANY — Thirteen-year old Riya Dadheech held an Art Exhibit and Silent Auction on Tuesday,  August 13 at Liquid Church, 499 Webro Road.

The event raised funds for Dadheech’s project “Girl’s Dignity & Empowerment.” Riya was able to raise over $5,000 by auctioning her artwork.

The project aims to build 500 toilets for schools girls in India and try to help protect their dignity as well as empower them. The event will have more than 50 paintings of Riya’s displayed at the auction.

Riya has been working for 8-10 hours for past several weeks that too during her summer vacation in order to prepare for this Art Exhibit.

Purple Paint is a mission to help children around the world. Riya’s passionate about making a difference in the community. She is using her artistic skills to create beautiful paintings. The purpose behind creating these paintings is to raise funds by selling them to patrons that will visit the Art Exhibit and Silent Auction. She also contacted various charities and raise funds by selling the paintings. All of the proceeds are donated to the charity. From there they go to people in need.  She has learned that each drop, each painting, and each stroke counts. She is hopeful that everyone will support her project by purchasing the paintings. Through Purple Paint she has been able to accomplish this little by little.

Please visit the “Past Projects” by clicking here to learn more.

PARSIPPANY — Community Hope has received a grant in the amount of $7,500 from Affinity Federal Credit Union.  The donation made by the Foundation will be used to fund shelter and critical services for veterans who served in various wartime periods and conflicts, many with complex medical and mental health histories including severe PTSD, multiple physical ailments, and struggling with substance use.

“Some of the veterans in our programs have been living on the streets or in shelters for many years with no access to healthcare and no mental health treatment services,” said Carmine V. Deo, Executive Director of Community Hope. “This grant will have a significant impact on veterans’ lives, ensuring they receive the counseling and therapy they need to overcome PTSD and other issues plaguing our former service men and women.”

This year alone, Community Hope estimates that through their veterans’ programs and services more than 1,000 veterans and family members will be saved from living on streets and overcrowded shelters.  In addition, each day 150 individuals are served in Community Hope’s mental health supportive housing and residential recovery programs.

Community Hope is a leading nonprofit organization serving veterans in need and at-risk veteran families in and around New Jersey.  Founded in 1985 by caring families of young adults whose lives were impacted by severe depression and other debilitating mental illnesses, Community Hope is on a mission to help veterans and their families overcome mental illness, addiction, homelessness and poverty by providing housing and support services. The Hope for Veterans umbrella of programs has saved more than 6,000 veterans and their family members. To learn more about Community Hope, click here  and follow us on Instagram: CommunityHope_NJ, Twitter @CommunityHopeNJ, and Facebook at facebook.com/CommunityHopeNJ.

The AFCU Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Affinity Federal Credit Union and its Community Connected. The Foundation is dedicated to helping vulnerable populations thrive towards  financial independence. The Foundation invests in local, grassroots organizations that support those in need, both through contributing grant dollars and connecting charities with skilled volunteers to elevate their mission.

With more than 20 branches across the tri-state area, Affinity is the largest credit union headquartered in the state of New Jersey, proudly ranking in the top 2% of all credit unions in terms of asset size. It is a member-owned, not-for-profit, full-service financial institution federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). For more information click here.

PARSIPPANY — The Interfaith Food Pantry and Resource Center (IFPRC) announced a new partnership with St. Peter the Apostle Church and the Town of Parsippany-Troy Hills to expand its Healthy Choices Mobile Pantry program to assist the families who regularly visit those food pantries.  In partnership with the Community Food Bank of NJ, the IFPRC is bringing its “Free Farmers Market” to St. Peter’s Church for distribution to families already receiving non-perishable items from the Church and Town pantries.

“There are families in Parsippany who may not have access to healthy food options and therefore we are very excited to work with St. Peter’s and the Town Health Department to bring fresh produce to their clients”, said Carolyn Lake, IFPRC’s Executive Director.  “By partnering with these two agencies we can enhance the variety of food these families receive without duplicating efforts.”

The Mobile “Free Farmers Market” takes place once per month at St. Peter the Apostle Church on Beverwick Road.  Recipients must be registered with St. Peter’s or the Parsippany-Troy Hills Health Department to qualify.  During the first Free Farmers Market held in June, 45 families were served, and this number is expected to grow to over 100.

“Our families are so grateful to receive the fresh fruits and vegetables that we just don’t have the refrigeration to handle”, said Donna Ferguson, St. Peter the Apostle Church. “We’re very excited to finally be able to help them gain access to healthier options”

The IFPRC’s Healthy Choices Mobile Pantry program was launched in 2017.  Utilizing an existing network of smaller food pantries, low-income senior housing units and Morris County Nutrition Sites, both non-perishable and fresh items are distributed to those who cannot get to our IFPRC Pantries located in Morristown and Morris Plains.  Last year, 17% of the 1.2 million pounds of food distributed by IFPRC was through its Mobile program.  For more information, visit www.mcifp.org.

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is taking part in an informational session regarding the 2020 Census. The meeting will be held on Thursday, September 5, 7:00 p.m.

The Township has partnered with the Census Bureau and local non-profit organizations, to speak to our community about what to expect in the coming months.

Your partnership is vital to making sure the 2020 Census reflects an accurate population count for Parsippany. This session will cover topics such as outreach too Hard to Count Populations, data collection, and education.

The meeting will take place at Parsippany Hills High School, located at 20 Rita Drive, Morris Plains.

Should you have any questions please call the Mayor’s Office at (973) 263-4262.