Community Building

Submitted by the Greater Somerset YMCA. Greater Somerset County YMCA (GSCYMCA) held its first in-person Saturdays in Motion (SIM) Holiday Party since 2019 for special needs children and their families on December 10, 2022. During the pandemic, the SIM regular programming and special events were virtual through an off-shoot program called SIM Connect. A virtual holiday party during that period even …

The Franklin Township Animal Shelter was recently the beneficiary of some donations from Ocean State Job Lot in Franklin Park. (Photo: Ocean State Job Lot.) The Franklin Township Animal Shelter was one of more than 200 animal welfare organizations throughout the region benefiting from Ocean State Job Lots third annual “To the Rescue” charitable program. Recipients include municipal shelters, wildlife …

Applicants between the ages of 15 and 23 are being sought for the newly formed New Jersey Legislative Youth Council. The Council is intended to function as an advisory to the Legislature and all of its committees, commissions, and task forces on the needs, opinions and welfare of young New Jerseyans, according to a press release about the Council. It …

A township-based arts organization was one of six in the county which received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts American Rescue Plan. The Ukrainian History and Education Center received $25,000 from the NEA, which was passed through the Somerset County Board of Commissioners. Somerset County is one of only three counties in the state to receive the NEA …

First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens is one of 13 local organization receiving a total of nearly $500,000 in grants from the St. Peter’s Healthcare System. The church, located on Somerset Street, received the grant to “support their wellness and care initiatives that addresses health care inequities,” according to a press release about the awards. The grants were given in …

The Hageman House on South Middlebush Road was once again the venue for an annual visit by Sinterklaas on December 4. The celebration of Sinterklaas – who each year rides his horse from Spain to the Netherlands – is a national holiday in that Dutch nation. In Franklin, the day included food, tours of the Hageman House and barns and …

There were plenty of crafts to choose from at the annual St. Matthias HSA Holiday Craft Fair. In yet another indication that the world is somewhat returning to normal, post-Covid, the St. Matthias School Home School Association held a full-fledged Holiday Craft Fair on December 4. This is the first time in three years that the full fair has been …

State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen is holding his annual clothing drive. (File photo). State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen is once again running his “Head to Toe” clothing donation drive. Donations of hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, socks, etc. for children aged 3 to 16 are sought. All clothing must be clean or new. Donations are being accepted from December 1 to February 13, …

Warrior alumni from a variety of classes took over tables at the Twenty/20 Taphouse on Cedar Grove Lane November 25 to cap off “I Love Franklin Week.” The event was sponsored by the Warrior 4 Life Foundation, the 5-year-old organization dedicated to awarding scholarships to Franklin students attending college. Starting November 21, the foundation acknowledged local businesses that had supported …

Councilwoman Kimberly Francois, far right, presented a Council commendation to Mary Lou Bak, co-president of the Franklin Women’s Club. The Township Council awarded commendations to the Franklin Township Women’s Club and the township Environmental Commission at its November 22 meeting. The Council congratulated the Women’s Club on its centennial celebration. The commendation noted that the Women’s Club has undertaken many …