Township honors Scouts for many achievements

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — The Township Committee recently honored Cub Scout Pack 155 of Freehold with a special proclamation for “outstanding efforts, achievements and dedication to the community.”

The proclamation was presented by Freehold Township Mayor Raymond Kershaw, Deputy Mayor Anthony Ammiano and Township Committeewoman Dorothy Avallone during the annual Cub Scout Pack 155 Blue and Gold Banquet held Feb. 21.

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (R-Monmouth and Mercer) also addressed the scouts and their families and congratulated the pack for outstanding programming and extensive community service activities. The banquet celebrates the completion of all requirements by the Cub Scouts to earn their rank badges of Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos and the Arrow of Light.

During the banquet the Cub Scouts collected more than 50 grocery bags of food, as well as paper and plastic products that were donated to the Open Door Lunch Program at St. Peters in Freehold Borough. The scouts also collected $116 in spare change for a special wishing well to support Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Jersey.

The Township Committee’s proclamation recognized Pack 155’s extensive commitment to helping the community through such efforts as food, clothing and personal item drives that benefit Open Door in Freehold, the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, and members of the U.S. military serving in Iraq.

The scouts assisted the Freehold Township police in promoting bicycle safety and the PACE safe driving program; they participated in the Arbor Day tree planting at Durand Park; they hosted litter cleanups at Michael J. Tighe Park and the Catena School; and they sang holiday carols in local senior centers.

The pack was congratulated for achieving the Boy Scouts of America Centennial National Quality Unit Award for achieving its goals and meeting the national standards of excellence in scouting.

The pack also presented the following awards: Volunteer of the Year – Nancy Atkinson; Outstanding Service Award – Linda Simon; Spirit of Scouting Award – Kathy Picciano.

Cubmaster Daniel Simon formally stepped down and was recognized for five years of service to the pack, and the new Cubmaster Peter Alessi and Assistant Cubmaster George (Ty) Tempel were sworn in as the new leaders of Cub Scout Pack 155.

Cub Scout Pack 155 currently serves nearly 80 elementary school boys in Freehold.