Youth initiatives even more critical now
To the editor:
This past year, Timberlane and Central High school students provided a snapshot of what their life is like in the Valley by taking a Search Institute survey as part of the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance’s Healthy Communities Healthy Youth initiative.
On Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m. at Hopewell Valley Central High School, the Alliance is hosting a community meeting entitled "What’s Up with Our Kids?" to discuss these survey results.
In light of recent tragic events, it is even more crucial that we look out for our youth. Right now, they may feel anxious, disenfranchised or depressed. Therefore, whether you have a child in the district or not, I encourage you to attend this meeting to hear the results, share your reactions and discuss how each of us can make a positive difference in young people’s lives.
Last Sunday evening, many of us came together as a community to support one another in "Hands Across Hopewell Valley." Let’s continue in this spirit of community by putting our "Hands Around our Children." Help shape a vision for a healthy community for Hopewell Valley’s youth by attending the Oct. 18 event.
Dr. Robert J. Sopko, superintendent of schools, Hopewell Valley Regional School District
Please support ‘Hands Across Hopewell Valley’
To the editor:
On Sept. 19, a group including concerned parents, elected officials, and school board members assembled to try to construct a local response to the Sept. 11 tragedy.
This group quickly agreed that there should be a two-pronged approach. We sought to raise funds for the American Red Cross and our own local Emergency Services. We also desired to give the community a chance to gather to express our grief as well our determination to pull together into a more cohesive and stronger community.
Sunday was designated a Valleywide Day of Unity and Remembrance, with a vigil set for 6 p.m. The group had two business days to pull the effort together.
Every person who was approached to help in any way said "Yes." Each faith leader, asked on short notice to participate, said "Yes." We asked for cooperation from the schools, the answer was "Yes." EMS and fire companies said "Yes." A call went out for mental health professionals. They said "Yes." The American Legion said "Yes."
"Yes" was the answer to every request we made of our police. Merchants were asked to donate goods all said "Yes." No one said they were too busy to help. No one complained about the shortness of time. With Michael Hritz of the Hopewell Valley Recreation Department at the helm, a beautiful and moving ceremony was attended by hundreds of Valley residents. Our ongoing fund-raising effort, "Hands Across Hopewell Valley," was launched, and the first dollars were collected.
This level of cooperation and civic-mindedness is a sign of the strength and caring of the people of this beautiful valley.
We wish to express our appreciation to all who made the vigil possible, and to urge everyone to support "Hands Across Hopewell Valley " in the days and weeks ahead. Look for the red, white and blue handprints being made by our school children, for sale at Valley stores, offices and banks.
Marylou Ferrara, mayor, Hopewell Township; Jim Loper, mayor, Pennington Borough; George Padgett, mayor, Hopewell Borough
