Message from Councilmember Ellen Zimmerman | September 29, 2022
It is not often that I quote KISS guitarist Paul Stanley. But as I look to the weekend events in Scotch Plains, his words certainly ring true: “When you're in a position to have gotten so much, the gift at this point is giving back.”
For many of us living in such a wonderful community, there is plenty to be thankful for. And this weekend is the perfect time to share that gratitude, as we celebrate the many volunteers woven into our community’s tight fabric.
Sunday is our annual Scotch Plains Day, when Park Avenue will be filled with entertainment, food, music, a kids’ zone and vendors between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. It is also a terrific opportunity to visit with many community volunteers who will be stationed at tables, sharing all the good work of non-profit groups that support Scotch Plains throughout the year.
These volunteers are the true backbone of our community. They are the silent warriors who do the necessary work, without any pay and, very often, without nearly enough recognition.
Our volunteers are the people we depend upon – especially when the unforeseeable happens. I think often about our community’s response to the pandemic or to the unpredictable storms in recent years that have required emergency crews.
Our volunteer responders rushed in to help – just because they wanted to help. To me, and the other members of the Township Council, that is the true essence of a Scotch Plains volunteer.
So, please take a moment to visit the local community groups who will be attending Scotch Plains Day and thank the volunteers who will be sharing important information. Perhaps you may want to volunteer with some of these groups, as well.
Here’s the list: All Saints' Episcopal Church, Alpha Kappa Alpha Society, American Legion Post 209, Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, Congregation Beth Israel, Cub Scout Pack #4, Cub Scout Pack #34 and Elizabethtown Gas.
In addition, there is: Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary Club, Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA, Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood, League of Women Voters/Plainfield Chapter, Preserve the Shady Rest, REAL Parents x SPF, Scotch Plains Democratic Committee, Scotch Plains Department of Parks and Recreation and the Scotch Plains Fire Department.
Other attendees include: the Scotch Plains Public Library, Scotch Plains Redevelopment, the Scotch Plains Republicans, Scotch Plains Rescue Squad, Scotch Plains-Fanwood Youth Baseball Association, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Ice Hockey Association, Social Justice Matters, St. Bartholomew Academy, St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church, St. John Baptist Church, Terrill Road Baptist Church, Union Catholic High School, Union County Board of Commissioners and Young Life.
This weekend is not just about Scotch Plains Day; there is so much more planned. There will be a family movie night at 7 p.m. tonight on the Alan Augustine Village Green, featuring one of my personal favorite family movies, “Coco.” Due to weather, Saturday’s annual Rose Checchio Play for P.I.N.K. Walk to Wipeout Breast Cancer has been rescheduled to October 22. Check-in will begin that day at 8:30 a.m at the municipal building, 430 Park Ave.
Registration will also be available for day of sign-ups: $25 for Adults and $10 for kids 12 and under.
To date, Play for P.I.N.K. has raised nearly $70 million to fund the world’s most promising breast cancer research by the finest minds in the field. And that research is already saving lives, improving outcomes and uncovering new approaches to this complex, challenging disease. I am so pleased that Scotch Plains plays a role every year.
Please click here to donate.
I look forward to seeing you at some of the amazing community events this weekend, as we express appreciation to our volunteers and celebrate the many ways in which Scotch Plains is such a warm, welcoming town.
