This month the Mayor and Township Committee issued several proclamations to recognize outstanding service and raise community awareness.
April is Volunteer Month
April 2016 has been designated as Volunteer Month by the Mayor and Township Committee to recognize, support and commend the thousands of Middletown volunteers who donate untold hours to community programs and services. Volunteers provide vital emergency services through the all-volunteer Emergency Medical Service Department, Fire Department, Police Auxiliary and Emergency Management. Other volunteers donate their time to a wide variety of programs such as the arts and recreation, youth athletic leagues, Meals on Wheels, and Superstorm Sandy recovery. Then there are those volunteers who donate their time to serve on nearly two dozen Township Boards, Committees and Commissions.
Paint the Town Pink Coming May 2016
The Mayor and Township Committee have proclaimed that Middletown be known as Pinktown and Belford be known as Pinkford during the month of May in support of the Paint the Town Pink initiative.
Meridian Health’s Paint the Town Pink initiative returns to our area during the month of May to raise awareness of the importance of breast cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. The goal is to encourage all women aged 40 and older, to have their annual mammogram and to raise money to provide mammographies to uninsured and underserved women in our community.
All residents are encouraged to help raise awareness about breast cancer by supporting activities and programs such as Paint the Town Pink. Visit paintthetownpink.com
May is Buddy Poppy Month
The Middletown Township Committee is encouraging residents to honor the sacrifices of America’s veterans this May by supporting the Buddy Poppy drive. May 2016 has been proclaimed as Buddy Poppy Month in Middletown Township in support of the annual sale of Buddy Poppies by Middletown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2179. The poppies are assembled by disabled veterans. The proceeds of this fundraising campaign are used for the benefit of disabled and needy veterans, and the widows and orphans of diseased veterans.
Municipal Clerks Week Starts May 1st
Municipal Clerks Week has been proclaimed by the Mayor and Township Committee as May 1-7, 2016 in appreciation for the vital services municipal clerks and deputy clerks perform and their exemplary dedication to the communities they represent. Heidi R. Brunt has served as Middletown’s Municipal Clerk since September 2003 and has been a member of International Institute of Municipal Clerks since October of 2003. She is available throughout the year to speak at schools, organizations, and different scouting troops about local government, township committee meetings, and election. Tours of Clerk’s office will be available during this week Please call 732-615-2015 or send an email to townclerk@middletownnj.org. Please call the week before to schedule.
Tour Police Headquarters During Police Week this May
The Township Committee proclaimed May 15-21, 2016 as Police Week in Middletown Township in recognition of the vital public service the Police Department provides. Interestingly, Middletown’s Police Department was founded on May 15, 1928.
Members of the community including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, civic groups, students and senior citizens, are invited to take this opportunity to visit Police Headquarters. Guided tours of the facility will be conducted Tuesday, May 17th, Wednesday, May 18th and Thursday, May 19th from 9:15 am to 5:15 pm. To schedule a secured and convenient time slot, please call the Chief’s Office Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at 732-615-2039.
In addition, the annual Middletown Police Memorial Service will be held rain or shine at Police Headquarters, 1 Kings Highway, on Friday, May 20th at 11a.m. The public is invited to attend. The service will be held at Middletown Police Memorial, located at the corner of Kings Highway and Route 35.
Celebrate Older Americans Month This May
In keeping with a national tradition that dates back to 1963, May 2016 has been proclaimed as Older Americans Month in Middletown by the Township Committee. This year’s theme is Blaze A Trail.
The Middletown Senior Center, located at 900 Leonardville Road is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday year round with free registration to all Middletown residents age 60 and older. The center provides opportunities for older adults to socialize, develop new friendships and enrich their lives through a variety of programs and services. Call 732-615-2265 for information.
The Middletown Senior Center’s Older Americans Luncheon will be held on May 12th at Yesterdays in Hazlet. Tickets are $30 per person. Register by May 5th.
National Day of Prayer
The Mayor and Township Committee also issued a proclamation declaring May 4, 2016 as a Day of Prayer in Middletown Township. The National Day of Prayer is an opportunity for Americans of all faiths to pray for the nation. The observance was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman in 1952. In 1988, legislation setting aside the first Thursday in May annually as National Day of Prayer was unanimously approved by both Houses of Congress and signed by President Ronald Reagan.
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Alcohol Awareness Month
The Mayor and Township Committee proclaimed April 2016 as Alcohol Awareness Month. The Middletown Township Committee joins the Middletown Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Substance Abuse in calling upon the community to support efforts that will increase community awareness, understanding and action to address underage drinking in our community. Alcohol remains a primary faction in the four leading causes of death for young person ages 10-21.
Crossroads provides free alcohol and drug abuse services to all Middletown residents. Services include assessment, consultation, education, and referral assistance. Call 732-615-2269 for more information.