Community Blood Services is encouraging all eligible donors to donate blood to help save lives in their community in recognition of World Blood Donor Day, which will be celebrated this year by countries around the world on Sunday, June 14.
“Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, yet a very small percentage of those who are eligible to give actually donate on an annual basis,” said Karen Ferriday, community affairs director at Community Blood Services. She said Community Blood Services hopes to raise awareness about the need to donate during the upcoming summer months and to thank its volunteer donors for their life-giving donations.
World Blood Donor Day comes at an important time each year. During the summer months, the nation’s blood supply is strained due to fewer donations because of increased vacation schedules and other seasonal distractions. World Blood Donor Day reminds people around the world to donate and enables them to help make an impact in ensuring an adequate blood supply during this time of year.
Donors who help the blood center celebrate by giving the gift of life during the week of June 8 through June 14 will be able to wear a colorful limited-edition Nexcare bandage as their badge of honor for making a difference to patients in their community. Ferriday is asking that donors consider making an automated blood donation during which they can donate multiple products and help save even more patients in one sitting.
Call (201) 251-3703 or click here to learn more about the “Divide and Multiply” automated donation program, for hours/locations of our Paramus, Lincoln Park, Montvale and Parsippany donor centers in New Jersey or a mobile blood drive, and to schedule your next donation appointment.
Community Blood Services, whose headquarters is in Montvale, has been serving the community for more than 60 years. The not-for-profit organization provides blood and blood products for patients in 20-plus hospitals, including HackensackUMC, St. Joseph’s Healthcare System in Paterson/Wayne, The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood and Atlantic Health System hospitals in New Jersey and Orange Regional Medical Center in New York.
RANDOLPH — 43 teams and 314 participants have raised $68,621.38 for Relay for Life of Central Morris County. In the fight against cancer, silence is the last thing we need. This year, Relay for Life was held at Community College of Morris on Saturday, June 6 through Sunday, June 7.
Saint Clare’s Health Systems was a Gold sponsor and Western Pest Services was a Bronze sponsor.
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement symbolizes hope and our shared goal to end a disease that threatens the lives of so many people we love. If cancer has touched your life, participating in Relay For Life of Central Morris County encompassing Parsippany, Denville, Dover, Mt. Lakes, Randolph, Rockaway Borough, and Rockaway Township is a great way to take action and help finish the fight. This is your opportunity to honor cancer survivors, remember those we have lost, and raise funds and awareness to fight back and help end cancer forever.
At Relay For Life events, communities across the globe come together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has already taken too much. The funds raised truly make a difference in the fight against cancer just ask one of the nearly 14 million cancer survivors who will celebrate another birthday this year!
Relay For Life teams camp out overnight and take turns walking or running around a track or path at a local high school, park, or fairground. Relay for Life Central Morris County is 14 hours long because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have at least one participant on the track at all times.
Members of Parsippany CERT
Ralph DeChristopher, with grandson Frankie
CURE
The Empty Table
One of the most inspiring moments during a Relay For Life event is the Luminaria Ceremony. Honor or remember someone you love who has been touched by cancer through the dedication of a luminaria.
HOPE
PHHS Key Club member Tara Srinivasan placing the Luminaria bags
PHHS Key Club members helping in the event were Vanesssa Ting, Vaishman Guddeti, Michael Tran and Tara Srinivasan.
Frank Cahill, Publisher of Parsippany Focus, placed PHS Megan Barry in jail until someone bailed her out. Megan Barry is the PHS Key Club Advisor,
PHS Key Club members participated in the days events. Some of the members included Yang Fu, Amanda Chen, Astha Singhal, Adam Wlech, Stephanie Shen, Samantha Lee, Anthony Martucci, Rohan Khajuria, Eric Lai, Eric Schlosser, Thomas Mercado, Aran Pasumpadiyar and Ran Chothani.
Parsippany residents Robert and Tammy Whiteman
Teams were walking throughout the day
Parsippany Boy Scout Carlo Pecoraro donated his time to Relay for Life
PHS Key Club was serving the suvivors dinner. Pictured is Christina Xu, Spencer Chen, Anne Cheng, Marine-Ayan Ibrzahim Aido
Lakers for Life. The team raised a total of $5,437.34. They also won first prize for best sign.
Donna Martone, a cancer suvivor wiith Parsippany Boy Scout Matthew Sonzogni
Andrea Martone and Karen DeChristopher
Andrea Martone and her mom, Donna
IHOP Parsippany was one of the many vendors that purchased a sign.
Western Pest Services was a Bronze sponsor
The Caregivers Walk
Karen DeChristopher during the Suvivors Walk
The Survivor Walk
Dr. Andy was one of the many businesses that purchased a sign.
Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce was one of the many businesses that purchased a sign.
Andrea Martone and Paul Cristelli was one of the many businesses that purchased a sign.
Caregiver Margie Forman addressing the audience
Assemblyman Anthony Bucco addressing the audience
Parsippany Hills High School has 11 team members and raised $1,174.00
The Mayors or Councilmen of the communities showing their support
Hundreds of people showed up to participate in Relay for Life
Country Singer, Nikki Briar
Members of Parsippany’s CERT team
Parsippany Boy Scout Troop 72 entering the field
Rhianna Lees and Josh Vergara, Walking for Angels. The team raised $900.00
Contestants of the Mr. Relay contest
Boyden of NJ was one of the many businesses that purchased a sign.
30th Anniversary of Relay for Life. Betty Boyer, Margie Forman and Karen DeChristopher cutting the celebration cake.
Luminary Bag for German Restrepo
The Luminaria Ceremony occurs at every Relay For Life event. As the sun sets, luminaria lining the track light up the night. A hush falls over the crowd that had been overflowing with celebration. Relay For Life participants, survivors, and caregivers then gather to remember loved ones lost to cancer and to honor those whose fight continues.
Karen DeChristopher explained “The Empty Table.” She said “We call your attention to the small table that occupies a place of dignity and honor. It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that some of our loved ones are missing from this gathering. They have been diagnosed with cancer, and they are some of the names and faces behind luminaries.
The chair is empty. Many of those who fought the battle with cancer are no longer with us, but rather than mourning their loss, we choose to celebrate their life.
These people are unable to be with their loved ones and families now, so let us join together to recognize and honor them, and to bear witness to their struggle and their memory.
The table is small, symbolizing the frailty of a single patient, sometimes alone in the fight against his or her disease.
The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the medical profession: doctors, nurses, and researchers who help fight the battle for life.
The single rose in the vase signifies the enduring love of their families and friends and the strength of a patients’ will to fight the disease that ultimately claimed many of them.
The pink ribbon on the vase represents the ribbons worn on the lapels of millions who support a continued search for a cure not only for breast cancer, but for other cancers as well — cancers that are expected to kill over half a million people in the United States this year.
A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of the bitter battle against a deadly disease, a battle fought by more than 1.3 million new patients each year.
The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless tears of personal anguish shed by the patient and those shed by family members and friends who have lost a loved one.
The glass is inverted in memory of those people who are not here to join our celebration of successes.
But, the lantern represents the light of hope that lives in the hearts of all of us — hope represented by cancer survivors and the hope for a cure discovered as a result of the detailed work of the medical profession made able through funds generated through events such as Relay For Life.”
It’s not too late to donate. Click here to make your donation to the Relay For Life Central Morris team.
PARSIPPANY — Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association (LPPOA) held its annual open house and giant flea market on Saturday, June 6.
The day was full of events including dragon boat, swimming, face painting, food, playing in the sand, live music and a flea market offering many items. Lake Parsippany Fire Department, CERT, R.A.C.E.S., Rescue and Recovery, Parsippany Police Department and many organizations were present educating residents, and distributing literature.
Womans Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills. Members Lois Preis-White, Marilyn Marion, Diane Monaco and Lois Brown
Claus Finke and Pradip Trivedi, members of Parsippany CERT
Joyce Garrow participated in the Flea Market
Parsippany Police Officer Remo D’Alsessando and Sgt. Thomas Pomroy giving out literature and explaining the operations of the Police Department
Six year-old Alex Nicita inside the police car
Parsippany Focus was greeting residents and distributing literature
OEM Deputy Coordinator Jay Geiger, Pradip Trivedi, Claus Finke, Mark Adubato and Martin Ward members of Parsippany CERT
Girl Scouts selling cookies
Isaac Bielinski “upside” down
Christina Gillespie painting the face of six year-old Rohan Rajgopal
Winnie Marone, LPPOA Fishing Club
LPPOA Ladies Club
Mark Eisenberg, from “They’re Playing Our Song” was keeping the crowds entertained
The flea market was very busy with bargain seekers
Children were swimming
Vice President Bill Sempier dots the eye on the dragon boat
Boat rides on Lake Parsippany
The flea market was very busy with bargain seekers
You can join the LPPOA Ladies Club for fun and community involvement. Interested individuals should contact Diane at (973) 887-1268. The fishing club meets once a month and holds fishing contests during the season.Thru their Trout Stocking Program, they host a “Stocking Day” event where the lake is stocked with trout one week before the season opens. Young anglers get the oportunity to learn about our program and release trout into the lake. Interested in joining the fishing club call Winnie Marone at (973) 887-3087.
Lake Parsippany is a private lake community quietly nestled in the center of Parsippany-Troy Hills, in Morris County,NJ. This 168 acre lake and grounds is fully funded and maintained by membership fees and member volunteers. We receive no State, County or Township funding. Our Community welcomes everyone to join our association, regardles of where you live and enjoy a piece of the lake.
The Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association members maintain and manage all operations of the lake throughout the year. The membership preserves this beautiful natural resource through its fees and through active volunteer participation in the community.
Membership is required to participate in its many activities that include fishing in a trout stocked lake, sailing, swimming, sunbathing, competitive sports, concerts, dances, family fun nights and much more.
Membership in the Association is not limited to Lake Parsippany Property Owners. Renters and residents from outside of the Lake Parsippany area are also welcome to join. The Association is a not for profit organization.
In addition to all of the activities available with membership, the Association also supports various Clubs and Committees.
For more information on Lake Parsippany, click here.
PARSIPPANY — Students from Parsippany Hills High School were at the IHOP on Saturday, June 6 washing cars to raise funds for Project Graduation.
The seniors participating were Jeevat Chhatwal, Jeeba Thomas, Isabela Manzano, Ambar Herrera, Nicholas Lopez, Anthony Kfoury, Talia Antonacci, Madeline Sanchez, Xavier La Rosa and Curtis Curlo.
Nicholas Lopez a student at PHHS and an employee at IHOP, arranged the fundraiser with IHOP owner Mo Abdelhadi.
The students charged $5.00 for each car wash, and IHOP gave each participant a $5.00 gift certificate to be used at the Parsippany location.
IHOP Parsippany has been involved with many community fundraisers.
PHHS Senior Jeevat Chatwal amd IHOP Owner Mo Abdelhadi
Parsippany IHOP owner Mo Abdelhadi and Nicolas Lopez
The seniors participating were Jeevat Chhatwal, Jeeba Thomas, Isabela Manzano, Ambar Herrera, Nicholas Lopez, Anthony Kfoury, Talia Antonacci, Madeline Sanchez, Xavier La Rosa and Curtis Curlo
Isabela Manzano drying off one of the cars
The seniors washing cars
Anthony Kfoury washing the cars during the fundraiser
If you are interested in any of the fundraising opportunities at IHOP, contact Mo Abdelhadi at (973) 396-8629.
International House of Pancakes (IHOP) is located at 792 Route 46 in the Arlington Plaza Shopping Center.
The primary goal of Project Graduation activities are to increase awareness of the dangers of drinking, drugging and driving and to reduce the number of youth involved in alcohol and other drug-related highway crashes. Across the country, Project Graduation and the chemical-free celebrations it inspired are the new tradition for graduating seniors.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Little League West ended up a very successful season and celebrated with a barbecue on Sunday, June 7.
The children had the opportunity to play on the water slide, in the bounce house, ride on the ponies or take a train ride.
The event was catered by All American BBQ and the menu included, salad, hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue chicken, potatoes, pasta salad and corn on the cob.
Peggy Skennion and her six year old son Liam enjoy the train rides
Train Rides
Tyler Kaplan on the water slide
The children had fun in the bounce house
Eight year-old Yuvraj Ramani enjoying a pony ride
Four year-old Shriraj Ramani enjoying a pony ride
Frank A. Neglia President, Par-Troy Little League West and Parsippany Board of Education President Fran Orthwein
All American BBQ Company catered the picnic. Staff members included Xavier Campuzano, Michael Kays, Candi Balderas, Joan Briones and Dan Cohen
For more information on the Par-Troy Little League West contact Frank Neglia at (973) 326-1694. or email by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — Recently students from Parsippany High School and Parsippany Hills High School received MCSSADA (Morris County Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association) Scholar-Athlete Awards.
MCSSADA Scholar Athlete Award recipients from Parsippany High School Gabriella Rachmaciej and Joshua Crawford with Norman Francis, Jr., Ed.D.NJSIAA Scholar-Athlete recipient Meredith Giovanelli
PARSIPPANY — MeWe Art is hosting a Spring Art Exhibition to celebrate the spring art exhibition. To celebrate the spring season, they share the beauty of art and the joy of creating art.
MeWe Art’s Third Spring Exhibition is now showing at the Parsippany Library, 449 Halsey Road.
There are 32 amazing pieces of art work, from artists ranging from four years old to adult. Although several of the artists are quite young and have only attended a few classes in MeWe Art, the results are incredible.
Mewe Art was founded in 2011, with a business model focused on art education for most ages and levels. They have also instituted art collection and art and culture exchange programs. “Art is not only about skill and technique but it also offers an interesting perspective on how people observe and translate their own surroundings and experiences. In my eyes, everything could be related to art in many ways. It is fun to explore and share art with others.” Said Leeann Yang, the founder of MeWe Art.
PARSIPPANY — Cushman & Wakefield has completed the sale of Waterview Plaza, a 130,000-square-foot class A office building situated at 2001 Route 46 East. The firm’s Metropolitan Area Capital Markets Group (CMG) team of David Bernhaut, Andy Merin, Andy Schwartz and Nick Karali represented seller Waterview Plaza Associates LLC, which developed the property in 1981. New owner Marcus Partners of Norwalk, Conn. has retained Bill Brown and Jason Tenenbaum of Cushman & Wakefield as leasing agents for the property.
“This transaction highlights the fact that the market has seen an uptick in office investment deals,” said Bernhaut. “Indeed, the highly liquid Morris County market, which benefits from a resilient and diverse business community, has accounted for 25 percent of all Northern New Jersey office building sales in the past 10 years, and that trend is continuing.
Cushman & Wakefield’s Metropolitan Area Capital Markets Group recently won its seventh NAIOP NJ Deal of the Year award. “As a team, we have a number of pending transactions that should close in the next 60 days—including announcements we will be making shortly,” said Bernhaut.
The five-story Waterview Plaza is situated on seven acres near the intersection of I-80 and I-287, just minutes from Routes 202, 10 and 24, with expansive water views of the 775-acre Boonton Reservoir. Morristown and Newark Liberty airports are 15 and 35 minutes away respectively. Key tenants include Hennion & Walsh (23,200 square feet), and HQ Global Workplaces, LLC/Regus Corp. (20,000 square feet), both with long-term leases.
New owner Marcus Partners is set to launch a $2.6 million capital improvement program at Waterview Plaza. The program will include the renovation of the building’s lobbies and common areas, interior and exterior entryways, parking area, landscaping, restrooms and HVAC systems, as well as adding a high-end café on-site.
Based in East Rutherford, Cushman & Wakefield’s Metropolitan Area Capital Markets Group specializes exclusively in investment sales of office, industrial, multifamily and retail properties throughout New Jersey, New York, Fairfield County, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The team has completed more than $20 billion worth of transactions since 2000.
PARSIPPANY — Juniata College has named 401 students to the dean’s list for the 2015 fall semester.
Each student must have at least a 3.6 grade average out of a possible 4.0.
Samantha Nicole Steinberg, the daughter of Andrew and Susan Steinberg, and a 2013 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, was named to the 2015 spring dean’s list.
Juniata College is a national liberal arts college located in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. With an enrollment of 1650, Juniata is a community dedicated to providing the highest quality liberal arts education.
Katy Zicker, Parsippany and Priyanka Yalamanchili, Morris Plains recently completed their Girl Scout Gold Awards by completing their own leadership projects benefiting the community.
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn and requires the completion of a leadership project of at least 80 hours. Each girl must discover an issue in the community, connect with experts and community members, and take action to effect positive change.
For her leadership project, Priyanka focused on helping children who are experiencing major difficulties, including illness, neglect, abuse, or homelessness, or who are displaced due to fires or weather emergencies. She set up a program at Sri Venkateswara Temple for children and families to record audio books for children in need. More than 50 CD recordings were made. She also collected more than 140 items of children’s clothing, books, and stuffed animals to provide comfort for the children. She spread the word about her project through her Web site (click here).
“I really enjoy anything that has to do with helping children,” Priyanka said. “I love babysitting and hope to someday work in pediatrics. I am also an avid reader so this project incorporated my passions and interests.”
For her own leadership project, Katy created a Web site (click here) for adopted teens ages 12-18 so they could share their experiences with adoption. She hoped to create a safe environment for teens to share their stories. As an adopted child herself, Katy shared her own story on the Web site as well. She’s had more than 300 visitors to the Web site since its creation.
“When I was 18 months old, I was adopted from an orphanage in Wanzai, China. I was fortunate enough to be adopted by my two amazing parents who have always supported me no matter what. They are also the most caring, loving, and understanding parents anyone could ask for and I was lucky enough to become a part of their family,” Katy said. “Although I never struggled with my adoption, I know other kids who do. I want adolescents to read stories from kids their age and learn more about themselves in the process.”
Both Priyanka and Katy have been Girl Scouts in Troop No. 2185 since the first grade. They say their years in the program have taught them valuable leadership skills and prepared them for the future.
“Girl Scouting has taught me so many important values, such as being considerate and respecting others,” Priyanka said. “My 12 years in Girl Scouts have taught me how to lead others with my passion and my voice in making the world a better place for all. I am lucky to have been in such a supportive and welcoming troop all these years.”
Katy says earning her Girl Scout Gold Award in particular has been a great experience.
“In completing my Girl Scout Gold Award, I learned that a lot of people are willing to help if you just ask,” Katy said.
Priyanka Yalamanchili
Katy is a senior at Parsippany Hills High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and National Society of High School Scholars. She also participates in pit band and soccer. She plans to major in marine biology in college so that she can work with marine mammal rescue and rehab. She would also like to continue her love of photography.
Priyanka is a senior at the Academy for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering at Morris Hills High School in Rockaway. She is co-captain of the varsity tennis team, member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Science Honor Society, History Honor Society, English Honor Society, and World Language Honor Society, and was a 2014 semi-finalist for the Coca-Cola Scholars. This fall she will be attending Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy. She hopes to have a career in pediatric pharmacology so she can continue helping children.
The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, combines leadership development, career exploration and community service. It culminates in an 80-hour leadership project that each girl plans and executes according to her own interests and passions. Within Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, 12 percent of eligible girls earn their Girl Scout Gold Award, compared to the national average of six percent.
Girl Scouts is the premier leadership development program for girls. In Girl Scouts, girls discover themselves, connect with others, and take action to create positive change in their own communities. For more information about Girl Scouts, call Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey at (973) 248-8200. Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey serves 20.5 percent of girls ages 5-18 in 160 municipalities including all of Bergen, Morris, Passaic, and Sussex counties and the northern half of Warren County. There are currently 30,150 members and 16,293 adult members.
