Steve Plevins, Advisory Board Member, Director of Marketing and the Turkey Drive Committee Chair for The Salvation Army Vineland Corps (“SAVC”) hosted an awards ceremony celebrating the outstanding efforts of the Turkey Drive Committee. The Committee has been awarded for their successful Turkey Drives for the past several years. Committee volunteers received proclamations and commendations from the House of Representatives, the State of New Jersey and the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.
Statewide restrictions did not halt the SAVC from providing boxes of food and Thanksgiving meals to food insecure families and those displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am so proud of the committed volunteers who worked with the SAVC in providing 1,200 families with a complete Thanksgiving Meal and more during the holiday season,” Steve Plevins stated.
On hand to distribute the awards were Assemblymen Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan along with Doug Albrecht, Cumberland County Commissioner. Unable to attend to present their awards, Congressman Jeff Van Drew and Senator Mike Testa sent words of appreciation and pride, relayed to the group by Assemblyman McClellan.
“The dedication of the Vineland Salvation Army volunteers is always unbelievable.” Major Moises Rivera, the Commanding Officer, said. “Feeding this many families is really several thousand people. The Committee works tirelessly all year and that hard work improves this project allowing us to serve more people year after year.”
The Committee took time to recognize a very special honor received by Rylee Howerton, International United Miss New Jersey Jr. Teen who in just a few weeks completed 75 hours of community service and for the 10th consecutive year received the President’s Silver Volunteer Service award.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the sponsors were honored on a different night. Members of the local business community received awards and citations for their outstanding efforts, and all renewed their commitment to continue this work.
SPECIAL THANKS to Bottino Shop Rites for many years of support and their commitment to this ministry.
