Community Building

The number of Somerset County families – including in Franklin Township – seeking assistance from local food pantries and banks is up between 50 percent and 100 percent since last year, prompting Somerset County and the Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate, to announce a joint food drive to encourage donations of dollars, food, and personal care products. …

SANTA SMOOCH – Santa Claus Bob gets a nose kiss from one of the pooches brought to SGS December 19 for the annual Santa Paws fundraiser. One of the biggest fundraisers for the organization that supports the Franklin Township Animal Shelter wrapped up on December 9. “Santa Paws,” sponsored by Second Chance for Animals, offers pet parents a chance to …

State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen’s (D-17) annual “Head to Toe” Winter Clothing Drive is underway, through February 16, 2024. The drive seeks donations to support families in need within the 17th Legislative District during winter. The drive is seeking donations from constituents and other interested parties. Donations can be placed at a drop box in the lobby of Danielsen’s district office …

DOCTOR K SPEAKS – “Doc” Gooden speaks to an SGS students while Natasha Rodgers, founder of the organization that brought him to the school, looks on. There was a special Doctor in the house at one of the township Middle School campuses November 29. The Doc in this case was Dwight “Doc” Gooden, the Cy Young Award-winning, three-time World Series …

ALUMNI ORGANIZER – FHS Alumni Basketball Game organizer Kyle Pitts speaks to the audience during halftime. After a four-year, Covid-inspired pause, the once-again annual Franklin High School alumni basketball game was held November 27. Once again organized by Kyle Pitts, the event featured a $2,000 contribution to the Franklin High School film and television department. Pitts said the donation came …

AWARD WINNER – Amie Gallagher, Director of the Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium, center, receives the Thomas Fangman Award from New Jersey Science Convention representatives Coleen Weiss-Magasic, left, and Angela Best, right. (Photo: RVCC). Submitted by Raritan Valley Community College. A township resident was recently honored by a statewide science organization. Amie Gallagher, Director of the Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium, has been honored …

We wanted to take a moment and wish our readers and friends a Happy and Meaningful Thanksgiving. May you and your families be surrounded by the spirit of the Holiday Season!

AWARD WINNERS – (Back row, left to right): Somerset County Commissioners Melonie Marano, Deputy Director Douglas Singleterry and Sara Sooy. (Front row, left to right): Alternatives Inc. Vice President of Admissions and Development, Carolyn Suero and President Nancy Good; Branchburg Township Public School District Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDT-C), Case Manager, Heather Lilly; Top Soccer Club Director and Coordinator, Nancy …

Odei Boateng (Photo: RVCC) A Somerset man is one CNN’s Top 10 Heroes for 2023, and is in competition for a $100,000 prize. Odei Boateng, a native of Ghana and a graduate of Raritan Valley Community College, was selected for his international humanitarian service. Boateng is the founder and CEO of the OKB Hope Foundation. Township residents can help Boateng …

VETERANS’ DAY OBSERVANCE – One of the many township veterans who attended the annual Veterans’ Day observance at the Municipal Complex on November 11. The Township Council chamber and veterans Memorial Park in the municipal complex were once again the venues for the annual Veterans Day celebration on November 11. Featured speakers during the ceremony were Army veteran Shirley Pietrucha, …