LAWRENCE: Community Day planned for Sunday

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
   Community Day, Lawrence Township’s annual celebration of itself, is set for Sund-RDay at Village Park.
   This year marks the 21st annual event, which will run from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Yeger Drive entrance to the park, said Steven Groeger, the township’s superintendent of recreation. It was started in 1992.
   And although it is not directly connected to Community Day, township residents may bring paper goods for shredding — except cardboard and X-rays — to the Bergen Street entrance between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
   Residents also may bring electronic items, such as TVs, computers, DVD and VCR players, for disposal. Tires that are not mounted on rims may also be dropped off for disposal.
   The purpose of Community Day is to put on display for the residents all of the services that are available to them and that they may not be aware of, he said. It may be government services or private, nonprofit organizations, Mr. Groeger said.
   ”It is an opportunity for groups to market their services. They may be looking for new members or volunteers. People don’t realize these groups exist,” Mr. Groeger said, adding that they will set up tables along the asphalt path that winds through Village Park.
   More than 60 community groups and businesses, ranging from the Lawrence Nature Center and Meals on Wheels to Roma Bank, Radiology Affiliates Imaging and the Pretzel Factory, will have tables at Community Day.
   The Lawrence Flames, the Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association, the Lawrence Township Junior Baseball and Softball Association and Lawrence Lightning Football are slated to have tables set up along the asphalt path.
   Every Child Valued, Anchor House, HomeFront, Womanspace and the Mercer Street Friends will have tables with information about their organizations and activities.
   Also, the Garden Gate Garden Club, Moms Club East and Moms Club West, the Lawrence chapter of the League of Women Voters and American Legion Post 414’s Women’s Auxiliary will be represented.
   The Lawrence Historical Society, the Mercer County Library, Easel Animal Rescue, Pets Plus Grooming and the Coalition for Medical Marijuana are planning to set up tables with information about the groups.
   Religious groups, such as Harvest Chapel Church, Har Sinai Temple, Adath Israel Congregation, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and the Knights of Columbus, will have tables at the event.
   The Lawrence Township Police Department, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, the Lawrence Township Office on Aging and the Lawrence Township Health Department are slated to set up tables with information.
   Several Lawrence High School student groups, ranging from Threads to the Lindsey Meyer Teen Institute, Operation Smile and Project Graduation, will set up tables with information about the organizations.
   Lawrence Township’s three volunteer fire companies will be on hand to show off their equipment and to provide fire prevention tips.
   But it’s not all about booths.
   For children, there will be pony rides, a ride on a hay-filled trailer pulled by a tractor, a magic show and a demonstration by the Lawrence High School Red Scare Marching Band.
   If the weather looks questionable, visitors can check the Lawrence Township website at www.lawrencetwp.com or call the Recreation Department at 609-844-7067.