JACKSON – It’s never too late for a prom as was evident by the smiles on the faces of those who attended one recently hosted by the township’s Commission for the Disabled and Handicapped.
Suely Fries, the current co-chair of the Commission talked to The Jackson Times about the annual event held at Jackson Mills Fire Station 54 and the many recreational programs the Commission offers for children and adults with special needs.
She said, “Prom night is one of our biggest events of the year. There are several businesses that sponsored this event. First Choice Catering gave us a fabulous price. We try to offer as much as we can.”
“We are the only agency in town that offers something in terms of recreation and leisure for people with special needs,” Fries added. “With Jackson being so big and – in some ways, remote – it can be a pain to drive 20 or 30 minutes for something, so we do what we can with the budget we have because it all comes down to money at the end of the day.”
Fries added, “We get an annual state grant and the township matches that grant. They wouldn’t even agree to give us the grant if the township didn’t give us a percentage back. It is called the ROID grant provided by the state of New Jersey and the township matches about 20%. That 20% comes in handy.”
“The commission has been going on since back in the 1970s. Melvin Cottrell (a former Assemblyman) was highly involved in the township and he had a disability himself. He wanted to do something for the community. He was always very civic minded. There were small groups back then and they would meet at the firehouse or someplace because the senior center didn’t exist back then,” Fries said.
“I think it was in the 1990s, they built the senior center and after that whatever the special needs group was called at the time became the mayor’s commission for disabled and handicapped,” she added. “I’ve been with the Commission for about 14 years. I am the current co-chair.”
“I chair the commission with, Sharon Hollender. We have chairs for two years and then someone else takes over. We only run for two years and then we have a different co-chair. We are entirely volunteer commission. We have a secretary who is paid for by the town and we get a lot of support from the township. They help us with whatever we need.”
Hollender was also enjoying the prom event. “I’ve been with the commission for at least 10 years. This and our holiday party are our biggest events.” Fries and Alex Janoczkin worked on the prom that featured DJ Dominic J who brought along a photo device and some props. There were also prize tables.
“Everyone is having such a good time it is just overwhelming to see,” Janoczkin remarked. His son was among those enjoying the prom.
Long time members Bette Hromiko and Carmen Esposito recalled their early years with the Commission. Hromiko has a sister with special needs who was enjoying the prom and Esposito has a child who was in the program.
“I stated back in 2005 and back then we had 30 members,” Hromiko said.
“My son was 13 when I joined and he is 48 now. We went on trips through the program to places like Radio City Music Hall, the zoo and the Aquarium in Camden as well as plays at the Jackson high schools,” Esposito said.
Hromiko added, “we had a trust fund back then but now it is hard to get donations. Most of those we serve are also part of the Special Olympics program. We will be at Jackson Day.”
Esposito said, “we have a kids program and an adult program. Today’s event is for the adults.”
“We brainstorm new programs. We reach out to the community who sponsor some of the programs, especially the parties that can be very expensive. The Elks Club, the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, the Knights of Columbus help us. Sometimes they sponsor events for us.” The Jackson Elks just recently held a Hawaiian Summer Barbeque benefit for the Commission, Fries said.
Among the services offered by the department is a five-week bocce ball program which started on June 15 and takes place on Saturdays, from 10 a.m.-noon, at Johnson Park-Bocce Court.
Elaine Westgate is the program’s instructor and comes highly qualified as a Special Olympic trainer for bocce ball with more than 20 years of experience. She is also a certified official for bocce for State, Nationals and World.
Another program which concluded last month was the Challenger Softball team. The Commission also offers a six-week bowling program on Fridays, that began on July 12 and will finish on August 16 from 6-8:30 p.m. at Howell Lanes.
Fries noted that the Commission is also offering free dance lessons. “Our brilliant dance instructor, Angela Kazima, is passionate about both dance and teaching. She has 25 years of experience in dance, and she teaches tap, jazz and hip hop. She’s really looking forward to working with our clients.”
Dance Lessons will be held at the Melvin Cottrell Senior Center on Tuesdays from now until August 6 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. All clients are eligible to participate and no experience is necessary. A dance recital has been scheduled for the last session on August 6 at the Melvin Cottrell Senior Center.
She added that the instructor had also offered a free dance lesson to people who were preparing for the prom and wanted to learn some new dance moves.
For more information call the Commission at 732-928 -3334 or e-mail pfries1313@gmail.com
