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Volunteering

Memorial Set For Edgewater Teen Killed In Tragic Accident While In Iran For Family Wedding Memorial Set For Edgewater Teen Killed In Tragic Accident While In Iran For Family Wedding
Memorial Set For Edgewater Teen Killed In Tragic Accident While In Iran For Family Wedding Jahnan Rahimpour was wise beyond his years. At just 14 years old, the Edgewater native was already an activist who was passionate about volunteering and did so often. His most recent volunteer work was at the Leonia Library and at the Bergen County Rowing Academy, developing skills of newcomers at Overpeck Park. Fluent in Farsi, Jahnan was proud of his Persian heritage and was thrilled to visit his parents' native country of Iran this summer for his aunt's wedding. It was during that trip, though, that joy turned to tragedy for Jahnan's family. Or as his mother, Asal, says: "The weddi…
Volunteer Ambulance Squad Member Killed In Route 287 Wreck Volunteer Ambulance Squad Member Killed In Route 287 Wreck
Volunteer Ambulance Squad Member Killed In Route 287 Wreck A longtime first responder from Bergen County was killed last week in an off-duty crash on Route 287, police said. John Papendick, 58, who served 11 years on the Waldwick Volunteer Ambulance Corps, died in the Wednesday, Aug. 14 crash along Route 287 in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron said. Papendick was heading south in a Dodge Charger when he veered off the road to the right, striking the guardrail around 9:25 a.m., Lebron said. He reentered the roadway across all lanes and struck the concrete traffic barrier. While Papendick's injuries were con…
Bergen County Cheer Coach, Zumba Instructor Eliza Stolz Dies After Suffering Brain Injury Bergen County Cheer Coach, Zumba Instructor Eliza Stolz Dies After Suffering Brain Injury
Bergen County Cheer Coach, Zumba Instructor Eliza Stolz Dies After Suffering Brain Injury Support is on the rise for a Bergen County family mourning the unexpected loss of its matriarch.  Eliza Stolz, a cheer coach and Zumba instructor from Elmwood Park, died on Tuesday, July 23, just over a week after an accident that caused her to suffer a brain injury, according to a GoFundMe launched for the family. The campaign had raised more than $19,500 as of press time.  Eliza was born in Poland and was one of six girls before moving to the United States for a better life, where she raised her children for 12 years as a stay-at-home mother before returning to work, the GoFund…
Retired NY Knicks Star Charles Oakley Dines At NJ Restaurant During Special Trip For Friend Retired NY Knicks Star Charles Oakley Dines At NJ Restaurant During Special Trip For Friend
Retired NY Knicks Star Charles Oakley Dines At NJ Restaurant During Special Trip For Friend Akhtar Farzaie needed one more person to bring to a charity golf outing at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster last month.  Naturally, retired NY Knicks power forward Charles Oakley was the first person to come to mind. Farzaie, 41, who owns Bella Pizza in Hillsborough, met the 60-year-old NBA legend when he said he was elbowed by him during a pickup game at a local YMCA in 2002. The two were later acquainted by mutual friends, and have kept in touch ever since. Oakley agreed to make a special trip out to Somerset County for Farzie last month, and was treated to seared Bronzino, si…
Sparta's Monica Jadach Dies, 34: 'Voice Of Reason' Sparta's Monica Jadach Dies, 34: 'Voice Of Reason'
Sparta's Monica Jadach Dies, 34: 'Voice Of Reason' Monica Jadach, a Sparta resident, died on Sunday, Dec. 31, after previously battling breast cancer, according to her obituary. Jadach volunteered with the Sparta Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and was a treasurer for the Congenital Heart Defect coalition, her obituary reads.  Her brother, Christopher, said on social media that she had heart surgery when she was a toddler and recently beat breast cancer. His tribute went on to say Monica was the "voice of reason" despite being seven years his junior. I lost my best friend this Sunday evening on New Year’s Eve… Monica was al…
Tewksbury Township Rescue Squad Charter Member, Devoted Mom Babette Russell Dies At 45 Tewksbury Township Rescue Squad Charter Member, Devoted Mom Babette Russell Dies At 45
Tewksbury Township Rescue Squad Charter Member, Devoted Mom Babette Russell Dies At 45 Tewksbury Township Rescue Squad charter member and devoted mother of three Babette Russell died at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston on Friday, Nov. 25. She was 45. A longtime member of Tewksbury Township, Babette graduated from Voorhees High School in Glen Gardner, her obituary says. She was a charter member of the Tewksbury Township First Aid and Rescue Squad and as a child was active with the Girl Scouts, according to her memorial. Babette is remembered as a dedicated and spirited woman who “could do anything she put her mind to,” her memorial says. She was constantly keeping he…
Hunterdon County High School Track Star, Impassioned Artist Jax Carey Dies At 16 Hunterdon County High School Track Star, Impassioned Artist Jax Carey Dies At 16
Hunterdon County High School Track Star, Impassioned Artist Jax Carey Dies At 16 Hunterdon County high school track star, impassioned artist, and self-taught musician Jax Carey died on Monday, Sept. 26 at the age of 16. Born in Morristown, Jax lived in Califon and attended Voorhees High School as a Junior. Jax was a skilled member of the high school’s track team and enjoyed participating in the hurdle events. A volunteer with the Valley View Chapel in Long Valley as well as several nursing homes, Jax was known for having an incredibly giving heart and soul. A self-taught musician, Jax was endlessly creative and loved singing, playing piano, and drums. Jax also kept …
Probe Continuing Into Death Of Beloved Hawthorne Widow Struck While Walking Dog: Authorities Probe Continuing Into Death Of Beloved Hawthorne Widow Struck While Walking Dog: Authorities
Probe Continuing Into Death Of Beloved Hawthorne Widow Struck While Walking Dog: Authorities Nearly two weeks after a popular 67-year-old Hawthorne widow was struck and killed by an out-of-control vehicle while walking her dog, authorities suddenly announced that they were continuing an investigation into her death. Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Hawthorne Police Chief James Knepper didn’t explain why they're now officially acknowledging -- while providing some details of -- the Sept. 24 death of Bonnie Siebert in a joint release issued on Thursday, Oct. 6. A Glen Rock native, Siebert had lost her husband of 32 years, Robert “Bob” Siebert, just this past January.&n…
Lifelong Hunterdon County Resident, Animal Rescue Volunteer Dies In Crash, 43 Lifelong Hunterdon County Resident, Animal Rescue Volunteer Dies In Crash, 43
Lifelong Hunterdon County Resident, Animal Rescue Volunteer Dies In Crash, 43 Lifelong Hunterdon County resident and animal rescue volunteer Wayne Allyn Davidson died in a car crash on Friday, March 18. He was 43. Born in Hackettstown, Davidson lived in Lebanon Township his entire life, his obituary says. Davidson graduated from Voorhees High School in 1997 and worked at Jordan Tree Service in Lebanon Township, according to his memorial. Davidson was remembered for his love of all things mechanical, especially cars. He also enjoyed farming and volunteering at Orphan Anni-mals in Glen Gardner, where he had earned a nickname as the “pig whisperer.” Davidson leaves b…
Demarest's Teresa McGahren, 93, Devoted Mother, Grandmother, Friend & Nurse Extraordinaire Demarest's Teresa McGahren, 93, Devoted Mother, Grandmother, Friend & Nurse Extraordinaire
Demarest's Teresa McGahren, 93, Devoted Mother, Grandmother, Friend & Nurse Extraordinaire Teresa Ellen McGahren died on Jan. 30. She was 93 years old and remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and caregiver.  Teresa was born to Grace and Patrick Holland on Sept. 17, 1927, on a farm in Rossnowlagh, Ireland on the banks of the Donegal Bay. At the tender age of 15, she left home to work and live with a family in Belfast, likely applying some of the practical skills she had learned on the farm.  Several years later, she moved to London where she trained to become a registered nurse, attending to the sick and injured in the difficult years followin…
Chatham Police Launch Task Force Enforcing Social Distancing, Mask-Wearing Chatham Police Launch Task Force Enforcing Social Distancing, Mask-Wearing
Chatham Police Launch Task Force Enforcing Social Distancing, Mask-Wearing Police in Chatham are looking for volunteers to hand out free masks and encourage social distancing with the launch of the Chatham Borough Covid-19 Ambassador Program. The program sets up volunteers in highly-traveled pedestrian areas and offers a “zero-confrontational” approach to reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The volunteers will distribute free masks and “gently encourage” social distancing. “As the Covid-19 infection rate continues to raise both nationally and within our state, studies have shown that social distancing, wearing a mask, and hand washing is effective in lower…
UPDATE: Tedesco Rescinds Executive Order UPDATE: Tedesco Rescinds Executive Order
Update: Tedesco Rescinds Executive Order Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco's executive order declaring a state of emergency will not be implemented as requested by Gov. Phil Murphy, officials said Thursday. Tedesco on Monday announced the executive order calling for the shutdown of malls, non-essential retail and banned groups of four or more people from public gatherings by Tuesday at 11 p.m. Then, Tuesday morning, Tedesco announced he was postponing the order until Saturday. On Wednesday, Tedesco sent a revised order to Murphy for review. As of Wednesday, Bergen County had a total of 114 confirmed cases -- the most of any cou…
Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen Opens At Rutgers Newark Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen Opens At Rutgers Newark
Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen Opens At Rutgers Newark Struggling students at Rutgers Newark won't have to live on a prayer for food much longer. Jon Bon Jovi's Soul Kitchen will be opening a third location on campus in January 2020. The rocker and his wife Dorothea Hurley opened the first pay-if-you-can restaurant in Red Bank in 2011. Customers are asked to pay a suggested $12 donation to cover their meal and someone else's. If they can't, they are asked to volunteer.  Most of the labor and nearly all of the food come from donations. The couple later opened the second JBJ Kitchen in Toms River and are planning on a Jan. 23 opening date…
Remember Sabrina Ferrara Of River Vale, 27, When You See A Butterfly Flutter By Remember Sabrina Ferrara Of River Vale, 27, When You See A Butterfly Flutter By
Remember Sabrina Ferrara Of River Vale, 27, When You See A Butterfly Flutter By The next time you see a butterfly, remember Sabrina Ferrara. That's what the 27-year-old's family has kindly requested in a heartfelt obituary they penned in her memory, following her death on Sept. 29. Scroll down for service information. Animals, traveling and obstacle racing were some of the things that the River Vale resident loved. "Sabrina had a wonderful smile that would light up a room," they wrote.  "She was creative, artistic and displayed an unrelenting enthusiasm for any endeavor she set her mind to." Animals, traveling and obstacle racing were some of the things that Sab…
Community Rallies For 'Selfless' NJ State Trooper Mourning Wife, 45 Community Rallies For 'Selfless' NJ State Trooper Mourning Wife, 45
Community Rallies For 'Selfless' NJ State Trooper Mourning Wife, 45 Elkin Orellano of Bloomfield gives wherever he can. The New Jersey State Trooper works at 5K charity runs. He has spent time away from his family to volunteer in Puerto Rico. The father of two would help anyone who needs it, friends say. Now, Orellano is the one in need. More than $6,700 had been raised on a GoFundMe for him and his two daughters as of Monday morning, after his wife of 22 years, Karina Orellano, died suddenly last month. Karina Orellano, 45, died on March 2 due to complications of a brain aneurysm, says the GoFundMe launched by Jose Soto. She was born in Peru and worked a…
Bloomfield High Senior Accepted To 15 Schools, Including Princeton Bloomfield High Senior Accepted To 15 Schools, Including Princeton
Bloomfield High Senior Accepted To 15 Schools, Including Princeton This can be a tense time of year for college-bound high school seniors, who are now learning where they’ve been accepted, where they’ve been wait-listed and which schools simply wished them well in their future endeavors. Emmanuel Odekunle of Bloomfield has a lot to think about too -- such as deciding which of the more than one dozen schools where he’s been accepted he’s going to attend. “As of this moment, I have not yet made a decision as to which university I will be attending,” the senior at Bloomfield High School said in an interview late last week. “God will direct us on the best one…
Northern Valley Knights Seek Baseball Coaches, Assistants Northern Valley Knights Seek Baseball Coaches, Assistants
Northern Valley Knights Seek Baseball Coaches, Assistants The Northern Valley Knights are seeking coaches and assistants for the spring/summer baseball seasons. These are paid positions, consisting of two practices and one game per week, for ages 10u-13u. Encouraged to apply are any and all high school baseball/softball players, former Knights players and local aspiring coaches. CONTACT: NVKBaseball@gmail.com The NV Knights have teams from 9u (3rd grade) through 14u (8th grade) and operate as a feeder for Northern Valley High School-Old Tappan baseball. The non-profit 501-C3 volunteer organization says it “is intended for more competitive playe…
TRIBUTE: Former Cliffside Park Fire Chief William 'Billy Pie' Killinger, 62 TRIBUTE: Former Cliffside Park Fire Chief William 'Billy Pie' Killinger, 62
Tribute: Former Cliffside Park Fire Chief William 'Billy Pie' Killinger, 62 One of the best. One of the nicest. One of the most selfless. That's how community members are remembering William P. Killinger, a longtime member and former chief of the Cliffside Park Volunteer Fire Department. Affectionately known as "Billy Pie," Killinger died on Jan. 26, at 62 years old. "Sometimes in your life you meet someone who doesn't ask anything from you but your friendship," borough volunteer firefighter Joseph Cinque wrote on Facebook. "Billy Killinger was one of those people who gave far more than he asked in return.  "I consider myself lucky that he called m…
Lyndhurst Fitness Guru Brings Christmas To North Jersey Homeless, Volunteers Sought Lyndhurst Fitness Guru Brings Christmas To North Jersey Homeless, Volunteers Sought
Lyndhurst Fitness Guru Brings Christmas To North Jersey Homeless, Volunteers Sought Leah Fairchild of Lyndhurst had just given Christmas bags to a dozen homeless people on the streets of Manhattan when she began to cry. She wanted to do more. Since that Christmas four years ago, she has. “Each year I vow to do it bigger and better,” said Fairchild, who, with help from a team of volunteers, will distribute 275 bags Monday morning to those living on the streets and in shelters in Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Essex counties. Fairchild, a single mom of three who owns and operates Train on Purpose (TOP) Hybrid Fitness Studio in Lyndhurst, launched her “Christmas Miracle Projec…