PARSIPPANY — Members of the Morris County Multi-Organ Transplant Group held a special meeting on March 8 with guest speaker Joe Roth, New Jersey Sharing Network CEO.  Mr. Roth spoke about the organization’s  2016 accomplishments.

Organ transplantation is a vital lifesaving tool.  Over 118,000 men and women across the country are on the organ donor wait list according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.

Mr. Roth spoke about advancements in organ transplantation and statistics on donation, transplants performed.  2016 was a record breaking year for NJ Sharing Network as NJSN celebrates its 30th anniversary. During 2016, NJSN helped make 613 organ transplants possible, broken down into 138 liver, 24 pancreas, 299 kidney, 70 heart and 82 lung transplants. This represents a 15% increase from 2015 figures.

Members of the MCMOTG have had kidney, heart, liver, lung, pancreas and tissue/bone transplants, are on the wait list, have donated as well as family.  Members live in Parsippany, Morristown, Morris Township, Boonton, Denville, Chatham and Lake Hopatcong.

The group’s next meeting is Wednesday, May 3 in the Community Room in the Parsippany Police Complex.

For more information on the Morris County Transplant Group contact Nick at (973) 984-6966 or e-mail [email protected] or the NJ Sharing Network: njsharingnetwork.org or call (908) 516-5400.

PARSIPPANY — Make-A-Wish^® New Jersey and 52 Jersey Mike’s Subs locations in North and Central New Jersey joined forces this March during the 7th Annual “Month of Giving”. The month-long campaign raised an astounding $263,749 for Make-A-Wish New Jersey, whose mission is to grant the wishes of local children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Jersey Mike’s has a location at 317 Smith Road.

Additional funds were raised for other Make-A-Wish chapters at 95 Jersey Mike’s locations around the country, resulting in a $434,610 contribution to Make-A-Wish nationwide. Overall, Jersey Mike’s raised over $5.5 million during the month for nearly 150 charities from coast-to-coast.

“I would like to thank our extraordinary customers, franchise owners, team members and charity partners who helped us raise the most ever during Jersey Mike’s 7^th Annual Month of Giving in March,” said Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike’s Founder and CEO. “Our mission statement has always been focused on making a difference in people’s lives.”

Make-A-Wish New Jersey kicked off the “Month of Giving” on March 1^st by lighting up its magical and whimsical wish-granting facility, the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, home of Make-A-Wish New Jersey, in red and blue – Jersey Mike’s official colors. Jersey Mike’s Subs customers were encouraged to make a donation at their local restaurants throughout the month, culminating with a special event on March 29 – Jersey Mike’s “Day of Giving” – when 52 local Jersey Mike’s restaurants donated 100 percent of the day’s sales to Make-A-Wish New Jersey.

“Now in our fourth decade in New Jersey, we have long known that a wish experience is nothing short of life-changing for a child with a life-threatening medical condition,” commented Tom Weatherall, President & Chief Executive Officer of Make-A-Wish New Jersey.  “We pick up where science and medicine leave off, and can be just as important as their treatment protocols.  We’ve witnessed  – thousands upon thousands of times – the hope, strength and joy a wish gives a child, and the difference it can make in their lives and their family’s lives. The entire team at Jersey Mike’s Subs, and their loyal patrons, have shown us that they, too, believe in the power of a wish, and we are deeply humbled by the success of the 2017 “Month – and Day of – Giving. On behalf of our team, but mostly the children we serve all across New Jersey, thank you Jersey Mike’s Subs!”

Make-A-Wish New Jersey has granted over 9,000 wishes in its 34-year-history – 483 last year alone. With a goal of granting well over 500 wishes this year, the generous support of corporations like Jersey Mike’s is critical to the organization’s continued success. Through their $263,000 donation, approximately 25 more New Jersey children with life-threatening medical conditions will experience a wish-come-true in the coming months.

On May 11, Make-A-Wish New Jersey will host a “Day of Gratitude” at the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, inviting Jersey Mike’s leadership and local wish kids alike, to celebrate the success of the “Month of Giving” and to honor and thank Jersey Mike’s for their support.

For more information about Make-A-Wish New Jersey, click here.

CEDAR KNOLLS — Libations Sponsor Solix, Inc. and Culinary Sponsors Birds Eye, Crystal Plaza, FirstEnergy Foundation, and Mandelbaum Salsburg, P.C. partnered with chefs from  area restaurants and businesses for a “Taste of Spring” to raise money for Employment Horizons’ Culinary Arts Training Program on April 5.

The event was again held at the Smoke Rise Village Inn, Kinnelon, and featured small plates from restaurants including Morris Tap & Grill, Ava’s Cupcakes, Birds Eye, Dolce Basking Ridge, Ninety Acres, Piattino, Pig & Prince, Smoke Rise Village Inn, and south+pine.  My Limo of East Hanover served as the Transportation Sponsor for the evening, providing a bus to and from the event. In addition to delicious food, the evening included a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, giveaways, and music provided by Entertainment Sponsor WMTR Radio.

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A sheet cake provided by Palermo’s Bakery recognized Employment Horizons’ Diamond Jubilee and 60 years of service.

Employment Horizons is the premier not-for-profit agency providing comprehensive employment, training, and job placement services to persons with disabilities and other disadvantages in the greater Morris County, NJ area.

To obtain more information about Employment Horizons and the Culinary Arts Training Program, click here or contact Maria Verducci-Florio at (973) 538-8822 ext. 240 or [email protected]. Photos by courtesy of Good Night Productions.

PARSIPPANY — On Monday, April 10, Council Vice President was on his way to IHOP, 792 Route 46, Arlington Shopping Plaza to a Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Upon entering the parking lot he seen a distressed dog running around aimlessly heading towards Route 46.

He immediately got out of his vehicle and approached the dog.  The dog continued his path towards Route 46. This was about 6:00 p.m. and the traffic on Route 46 was heavy at the time. He was able to call the dog and the dog actually listened and came back to Mr. Peluso. Mr. Peluso was able to catch the dog and hold and pet the dog and make him feel comfortable. The dog was scared and lost at the same time.

He then approached someone in the parking lot, who obtained water for the dog, which was thirsty from running and trying to find his way home.  He then read the name on the dog tag, and “Jake” had a telephone number which he called and the call went to voice mail. He then texted the individual letting them know he had the dog.  A few minutes later someone called back and he explained where the dog was.  The family was excited and said they were out searching for the dog for some time now, and would meet Mr. Peluso in the parking lot.

The family arrived, mom and three youngsters who was happy to be reunited with their dog and took the dog home.

The family resides in Huntington Ridge Condo off of Route 46 and North Beverwyck Road.

The family was grateful and thanked Mr. Peluso for saving the dog.

PARSIPPANY — Librarians and Staff Members at Parsippany’s three libraries;  Main Library, Mount Tabor Branch and Lake Hiawatha Branch were treated to refreshments on Tuesday, April 11 by members of the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills (WCPTH) to celebrate National Library Workers’ Day.  Club members treated the staff at all three branches to desserts, chips, candy and drinks to thank them for their dedication to the Parsippany library system.  Club Members were on hand to chat with the staff and thank them in-person.

National Library Workers’ Day was established in 2003 to ‘recognize the hard work, dedication, and expertise of library support staff and librarians.’

This is the third year WCPTH has supported National Library Workers’ Day.  The club has a special relationship with the library, being one of its first donors in the 1960’s when the township library was established.  Nationally, Women’s Clubs are credited with establishing three quarters of the nation’s libraries.

The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC, which is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service.   The next General Meeting is Monday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Parsippany Rescue & Recovery Building, 100 Centerton Drive. For more information call Cathy at (973) 984-0758, e-mail the club at [email protected], visit their website by click here.

Meeting schedule is subject to change.  Please contact Cathy, Membership Chairman, if interested in attending a meeting or to confirm date and time.