MORRIS COUNTY — Two charitable organizations, The Hazel Project and Howard’s Mission, have officially joined forces to enhance their outreach efforts and provide more clothing to those in need. The collaboration aims to streamline clothing donations, maximize distribution efforts, and ensure a greater variety of clothing reaches needy communities.

Recognizing the overlap in their missions, both organizations saw an opportunity to collaborate to amplify their impact. By combining their resources, they will host joint clothing sorting events, conduct unified distributions, and extend their reach to additional locations.

“We realized that by working together, we can support even more individuals who rely on us,” representatives from both organizations shared in a joint statement. “This partnership means more clothing, variety, and opportunities to help those in need.”

What This Means for the Community

The collaboration between The Hazel Project and Howard’s Mission brings several key benefits:

• Increased support for individuals and families in need.
• Joint clothing sorting events to improve efficiency.
• Coordinated distribution efforts to reach more locations.
• A greater variety of clothing is available at donation sites.

To support this initiative, the organizations are accepting clothing donations at two drop-off locations:

• Howard’s Mission – 8 East Fredrick Place, Cedar Knolls
• The Hazel Project – Montville, NJ

Residents interested in donating or volunteering can contact the organizations at:

• Howard’s Mission: [email protected]
• The Hazel Project: [email protected]

As this new partnership takes shape, both organizations are eager to see its positive impact on the local community. By working together, The Hazel Project and Howard’s Mission ensure that more people receive the support they need, demonstrating the power of collaboration in charitable work.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Academy for Performing Arts (APA), Dance, marked its 25th anniversary with an impressive dance concert at the County College of Morris (CCM). The event celebrated the Academy’s history, talented students, distinguished alumni, and strong partnerships with CCM and renowned guest artist companies. This milestone performance demonstrated the Academy’s ongoing commitment to excellence in dance education and performance.

The evening featured performances from current Academy Dance students, alumni, and partnering guest artist companies, showcasing a dynamic range of dance styles and creative expressions. Special guest performances included pieces by AThomas Project, Freespace Dance, and Randy James’ 10 Hairy Legs with Tony Bordonaro. These artists and companies highlighted the collaborative spirit that has defined the Academy for Performing Arts Dance legacy.

“I was beyond thrilled to celebrate 25 years of the dance program! I had the privilege of being a guest instructor in the program’s early years, and for the past decade, I’ve had the honor of leading it as the director. Watching our students grow, find their voice, and pursue remarkable careers in the arts or other fields they’re passionate about has been inspiring and shows the impact of an arts education,” said Lisa Peluso, Teacher of Dance. 

Additionally, Peluso stated, “The partnership with County College of Morris has played a pivotal role in APA Dance’s growth, providing a platform for students to develop their skills in a supportive and professional environment.”

The Academy for Performing Arts, Dance offers students opportunities to work with master teachers and professional choreographers. The program has produced alumni who are performers, choreographers, and dance educators, among other professions.

Morris County Vocational School District (MCVSD) offers a wide range of career and technical education programs that inspire and prepare students to succeed in today’s world and pursue tomorrow’s opportunities. Programs range from auto service and construction trades to healthcare sciences, global commerce, performing arts, and cybersecurity. The high school offers full-time academies and share-time programs on its Denville campus. In addition, through collaboration with local school districts and the County College of Morris, MCVSD offers full-time academies and share-time programs established at off-site satellite locations. For more information, contact Gina DiDomenico, Student Recruitment & Community Relations, at [email protected] or visit  www.mcvts.org.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit (ESU) and the Morris Township Fire Department endured below-freezing temperatures at Sunrise Lake in Lewis Morris County Park this week to conduct a critical ice rescue training drill, focused on enhancing emergency preparedness and ensuring first responders are ready to save lives when every second counts.

“Morris County residents deserve the highest level of protection, which means training under real-world conditions,” said Sheriff James M. Gannon. “It’s zero degrees, and we’re out here testing our specialized equipment and honing our skills because emergencies don’t wait for ideal circumstances. Our mission is to save lives, and today’s collaboration with the Morris Township Fire Department strengthens that commitment.”

Participants, including volunteer firefighters and ESU members, donned specialized cold-water rescue suits and submerged themselves in the icy lake to simulate real-life scenarios. The teams practiced rapid deployment and victim extraction using advanced equipment and coordinated techniques.

“Hypothermia can set in within minutes when someone falls through the ice. Staying calm and preserving energy is critical for survival. But more importantly, we want to ensure our teams are ready to respond effectively and get victims to safety and medical care as quickly as possible,” said Sheriff Gannon.

The training involved cutting a hole in the ice with an 18-inch chainsaw and deploying rescuers into the frigid water. Detective Sergeant James Rae, who leads the Sheriff’s ESU, was among those who entered the water.

“People are drawn to ice for activities like hockey or fishing, but the first freeze is especially dangerous. This training ensures we can deploy quickly and efficiently when accidents happen, using the equipment and skills we practice here,” said Sgt. Rae.

Sgt. Rae highlighted the increased risk during freezing weather, emphasizing the importance of calling 911 immediately. He warned against venturing onto compromised ice, noting that maintaining visual contact with the victim is crucial until help arrives.

The training drill utilized resources provided by ESU-4, a specially equipped vehicle stocked with life-saving gear. The truck, acquired through a partnership with the New Jersey Transit Police Department, ensures the ESU can respond to emergencies with all necessary tools at the ready.

“Morris County is a wonderful place where approximately 515,000 people live, work, raise families, and have fun. We’re committed to ensuring residents can continue having fun safely through training like this. I’m grateful to the county government for their support, and I also want to thank all the police departments, fire departments, and emergency squads participating in this training. We are ready 24/7 to provide vital services to the residents of Morris County,” said Sheriff Gannon.

“The Sheriff’s ESU is an incredible asset to our community, and working together strengthens our ability to respond to emergencies. We’re proud to partner with them in training and real-life situations,” said Chief Mike Nunn of the Morris Township Fire Department.

Participants who took part in the training included Corporal Ivan Bajceski of the Sheriff’s ESU and Detective Lieutenant Robert Kranz of the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, as well as firefighters from Morris Township: Melissa Alderton, Lieutenant Brendan McCloskey, Michael Wilson, and Ed Duffy.

The Sheriff’s ESU has been conducting a series of ice rescue training drills with local first responders under challenging conditions to enhance preparedness.