Salvation Army Vineland Corps 2019 Turkey Drive Committee Awarded Proclamations

From left: Madison Stiles, Michele Low, Steve Plevins, Freeholder Darlene Barber, Jason Scythes, Alison Trovarelli, Minerva Alvarado, Freeholder, Carol Musso, and Rylee Howerton. (Not pictured: Dr. Bob Gerardi, Myrna Keller, Wanda Lopez, Paul Thakkar, Antony Thomas, Al Vargas, and David Scales).

Salvation Army Vineland Corps (“SAVC”) and its 2019 Turkey Drive Committee (“Committee”) was honored with special proclamations from Congressman Dr. Jeff Van Drew and the County of Cumberland Board of Chosen Freeholders for “their distinguished history of helping the citizens of Vineland, Millville, and Port Norris areas.” The Committee collected over 1,200 turkeys in the 2019 Turkey Drive, surpassing previous turkey drives.

The 2019 Turkey Drive (“the Drive”), was led by Advisory Board Member/Committee Chair Steve Plevins and Advisory Board Members Minerva Alvarado, Dr. Bob Gerardi, Myrna Keller, Wanda Lopez, Jason Scythes, Alison Trovarelli, Paul Thakkar, Antony Thomas, and Al Vargas; as well as Members at Large Michele Low and David Scales; and Junior Members at Large Rylee Howerton, National United Miss Cumberland County Jr. Teen, and Madison Stiles, Royal International Miss East Coast Jr. Teen. All were commended for their exemplary community service.

The Salvation Army Vineland Corps thanks the Bottino Family who partnered to collect turkeys at their Vineland, Millville, and Bridgeton locations and as they do each year, generously donated turkeys to the Drive.

Plevins said, “We are thankful for the folks who have been with us from the beginning, as well as the newcomers who helped take this Turkey Drive to a new level of success.” Specifically, Bill Gonzalez, Cumberland County Habitat for Humanity ReStore (a new collection point this year and the location for two kick-off events with the VHS Cheer Squad, VHS Football Team, VHS Mascot-Rowdy Rooster, professional boxer, Kevin “Killer” Watts, Rylee Howerton, Madison Stiles, and Miss Seashore Line’s Outstanding Teen Isabella Freund. Special thanks for their tremendous efforts to promote the event to Pepper Paul of WVLT, Michele Low of the “Ace Your Space” WVLT radio show; Jerome Jerry Lucas, Event Photographer and David Scales, State Farm Agent, who generously provided the use of his truck to transport turkeys and food.

In addition, several businesses and community groups provided support and volunteers: ShopRite Landis & Lincoln, Starbucks, Todd’s News Agency, the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce, Vineland Rotary Club, Advisory Board of Salvation Army Vineland Corps, and Commanding Officers: Major Moises Rivera and Major Jackie Rivera.

The Salvation Army Vineland Corps will hold another turkey drive in November 2020. To volunteer or help sponsor the event, call 856-696-5050 or 856-558-3825.