Politics & Government

Irene Responders and Volunteers to Be Honored

The mayor and local service groups are banding together to honor those who helped with an Italian supper in November.

The men and women who stepped up before, during and after Hurricane Irene's devastating August visit to Parsippany will receive a formal thank you from the township. In November, the township and a consortium of local nonprofit groups will hold a special spaghetti dinner to honor first responders, town employees and volunteers. The event will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Church.

The groups include the Parsippany Sons of Italy, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, the Woman’s Club of Parsippany and the Parsippany Rotary Club, which banded together within hours of the storm to assist with cleaning up the lower Lake Hiawatha area.

On Labor Day, the clubs started a joint effort in conjunction with the Parsippany Presbyterian Church to collect and distribute gift cards for flood-affected families in need. The cards, donated by area home improvement stores, restaurants, supermarkets and mass merchandisers, will be distributed according to need by Barbara Ievoli, the township’s Director of Human Services.

The dinner will serve as an effort to express the town's gratitude to police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical services workers, and employees of the local Office of Emergency Management.

St. Peter the Apostle Church is donating the space for the event. 

"Volunteers have always made a difference in Parsippany," said Mayor Barberio."They offer not only their time, but their energy, skills, commitment and talents, which continue to enhance our community."

Barberio said the hurricane showed that government and citizen volunteers, working together, can touch people's lives and offer them hope.

“This event demonstrates how a community united can achieve great results and truly make a difference,” he said. “If ever there was 'Pride in Parsippany,' it is now.”

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