Community Building

It looked iffy during the day, but Mother Nature cooperated July 3 and allowed the township to hold its annual Independence Day celebration. Hundreds of people showed up to the municipal complex on DeMott Lane and were greeted by food, games and music.

More than 500 people crowded into the Palace at Somerset Park June 11 for the 19th annual Elijah’s Promise Chef’s Night. The event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the New Brunswick-based charitable organization, proceeds of which go to support the group’s Promise Culinary School.

The Franklin Township Police Department once again took part in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics on June 8. A pair of FTPD officers ran with a contingent from the South Brunswick Police Department.

Mother Nature cooperated May 28 and the township’s Memorial Day commemoration once again included a parade down DeMott Lane. Participants in the parade included the township’s Boy Scout, Girl Scout and Cub Scout troops, the Franklin High School Warrior Marching Band, and a contingent from the Canal Walk Veterans Association.

The inaugural Graduation Conference, sponsored by the Warrior For Life Scholarship Foundation and the Franklin Youth Initiative is set for noon to 3 p.m. June 17 at the township Community/Senior Center in the Municipal Complex on DeMott Lane. The event is designed to provide resources to township students and families focused on pre-college programming, post-high school planning, and career readiness.

Submitted by ZTrek. The annual ZTrek fundraising cycling event is slated to take off July 28 from the ZCC Children’s Christian Ministry Church in Zarepath.

It was delayed by two days because of rain, but the annual St. Matthias carnival formally opened on May 17. The carnival is the largest fund-raiser for the church, the St. Matthias School and various missions supported by the church.

Construction of the performance gazebo in the Municipal Complex on Demott Lane is underway, even as its organizing committee is still seeking donations. The 38-foot-wide gazebo will be built near the township library and is seen as a place for the presentation of various forms of entertainment, including music, plays, and dramatic readings.

By PJ Parker

More than 700 cyclists helped to raise about $78,000 in the 29th annual Tour de Franklin on April 29. The tour is the largest fundraiser for the Franklin Food Bank.