In the Vicinity

Florham Park Resident Publishes Kids Book that Fosters Empowerment

School psychologist Danielle Gasalberti of Florham Park recently published a book called, “Love Your Selfie,” a book geared to kids in grades one to five that teaches them about empowerment and building self esteem. It will become a play at Drew University in Dec. Danielle says that throughout Covid, she found herself on Facebook seeing other people’s posts, which reminded her that people put on a perfect face with online profiles. She realized that if she was measuring herself up to what she saw, others, including kids were too. Remembering her time spent at an elementary school helping children handle bullying and social skills through literature, she decided to write a book on managing social media and mental health that she hopes resonates with kids and opens up dialogues with parents. Danielle is enjoying doing events, signings, and readings and is available to do so at schools, libraries and more. She can be reached at dgasalberti90@gmail.com.

Berkeley Heights PTO Collects Nearly 3,000 New and Gently Used Shoes for Honduras and Haiti

(Left-Right) Back row: Mathew Villanueva and Nathan Villanueva; Middle row: Tyler Villanueva and Arav Pahwa; Front Row: Jayden Man

The PTO at Columbia Middle School (CMS) in Berkeley Heights held a fundraiser for new and gently used shoes. They collected nearly 3,000 pairs. The PTO worked in partnership with an organization that recycles the shoes by selling them at a small fee to the people in Honduras and Haiti. The shoes are then refurbished and resold. The PTO also received a small fee for each pair of shoes to benefit the school. The program teaches the resellers how to become entrepreneurs, and provides the buyers with nice shoes. The CMS students placed signs at multiple locations for their on-site collection boxes and helped pair up the shoes by attaching them with rubber bands to prevent separation. “This is a win for all,” says Sue Seto, who is a member of the PTO, “as it teaches our children to give back, and save the planet through sustainability, helps the resellers and buyers, and the PTO.” Winter 2021

Chatham Holds 13th Annual Turkey Trot

On Thanksgiving Day, residents of Chatham held their 13th annual Turkey Trot to raise funds for The Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department, the Diabetes Research Institute, the Chatham Emergency squad and The Barton Center for Diabetes Education. To date, the event has raised nearly $200,000. The event, which was held in the Highlands section of Chatham Township included a 1 Mile Family Run and a USA Track and Field certified 5K Race. Neighbors had fun coming together as a community to kick off the Holiday Season.

Millburn Mud Ball Raises Over $48,000

Photo credit: Melinda DiMauro

The Millburn Mud Ball, a fashion show extravaganza raised over $48,000 to support Millburn businesses that were damaged by Hurricane Ida flooding. Over 350 people attended the event, which was inspired by a New York Times photo of muddied dresses after Ida from Millburn’s Highline Fashion. In the finale, Wendy Missian, the director of the event, sported the iconic muddy ball gown from the image. The fashion show featured clothing from local clothing shops. Millburn students, parents and firemen were the models. The event included a sit down dinner catered by La Strada and “A Taste of Millburn” food tasting with 25 restaurants. The proceeds benefited businesses affected by the storm within Explore Millburn’s Special Improvement District (SID). A separate grant was made for businesses outside of the SID. In her speech, Mission said, “People are good, people are strong and people are generous. It takes a muddy village.”

Over $115,000 is Raised at Madison Area YMCA 2021 Annual Golf Classic

(Left-Right) Madison Area YMCA Board Member and Golf Committee Co-Chair Jaime Pego Curcio of Madison, Jeff Garfield of Westfield, IN, Scott McBride of Chatham and Tracy Davis of Rye Brook, NY.

Photo Credit: Madison Area YMCA

More children than ever before will be experiencing the magic of YMCA summer camp in 2022 thanks to the Madison Area YMCA Annual Golf Classic that raised over $115,000 this year. It was the most successful event in the golf outing’s 24-year history. A total of 142 weeks of camp were donated during the event in addition to those awarded through live and silent auction items at the Camp for One, Camp for All dinner reception. All proceeds will make Y summer camp, membership, child care and YMCA programs available to families who require funding assistance to participate at the Madison Area Y’s Family Center and F.M. Kirby Children’s Center.

Santa Is Coming to December Summit Lions Club Event at GRACE

Santa Claus (aka Peter Twill, Secretary of Summit Lions Club) at last year’s Holiday Shopping Bazaar getting ready to hand out candy to youngsters at GRACE.

Following Halloween, the Summit Lions Club collected unused candy for a special event that is planned for December 16, where Santa will be visiting Giving and Receiving Assistance for Our Community Essentials (GRACE), which is located at Cornog Field, 5 Myrtle Avenue in Summit. Children will be able to sit on Santa’s lap, while families shop for free amidst great new toys, puzzles, games, clothes, household items and other types of ‘new with tag’ items to give to children and loved ones for the holidays. The candy will be handed out in gift bags to attending children and as stocking stuffers. “Many people have such pride and just need a little help around the holidays,” says Summit Lions Club President Janet Russell, “so in holding this event, we ‘hand up’ new with tag items that families can shop for. It is fun and meaningful for all!”