It is hard to believe that a year has gone by… but what a year it has been. Ayear ago, the Berkeley Heights Police and Fire Departments volunteered to play a charity softball game to kick off the fundraising campaign to restore Veterans Memorial Park. Since then, over $160,000 was raised by the volunteer Veterans Memorial Park Renewal Committee and the park has been completely renovated and dedicated. “A year ago we only had a vision,” commented Committee Chair Ted Romankow, “Now we have this beautiful park and memorial that honors our veterans and military personnel each and everyday.” The Committee calls its efforts “Operation: We Remember.”
The park has become a source of inspiration and pride for this community. This year the Committee will add seasonal decorations, lights and plantings along with its program of diligent park maintenance. It all takes money, and once again the Police and Fire Departments stepped forward to lead the annual fundraising campaign.
Under Police Chief John DiPasquale and Fire Chief Anthony Padovano, the two teams again battled for the Mayor’s Trophy Cup on September 10 at the Snyder Avenue Park Field in Berkeley Heights. The Police emerged victorious, but everyone was a winner. It’s a great friendly rivalry that brings out the community for a terrific cause.
The Veterans Park Committee joined with the Berkeley Heights Rotary Club and Berkeley Heights PAL to sponsor the event. Local businesses including Berkeley Wine Company, Clemente’s Pizzeria, DiMaio’s Cucina, Domino’s Pizza, and Marcello’s Pizzeria provided refreshments. The game raised over $1300 and the Committee received an additional $1000 from the Smith Chiropractic Foundation Charity Road Race and Walk event.
“Great things happen when people work together,” commented Mayor Robert Woodruff, adding, “Volunteers and volunteer organizations form the cornerstone of this town, and our Police and Fire Departments are second to none.” Donations are still welcome and are tax deductible. Contributions can be made online at www.BHMemorialPark.com or by check payable and mailed to: Veterans Memorial Park Renewal Committee, 29 Park Ave., Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
(above) The Police Department and PBA #144 took home the Mayor’s Trophy.
