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HUSA , from Page 1 fundraiser at Kerri Brooke Caterers .
The event marked the first time in a decade that Hammonton USA has organized such a fundraiser . In the past , Hammonton USA has raised significant sums of money for many noteworthy town projects , including $ 29,000 raised for the Hammonton Little League ’ s indoor batting cages at the Hammonton Lake Park , $ 34,000 for a new rescue squad vehicle for the now-disbanded Hammonton Rescue Squad , $ 28,000 for the former William B . Kessler Memorial Hospital Foundation ’ s emergency room expansion / new radiology equipment and more .
After a long hiatus , Hammonton USA returned to focus its generosity on the Hammonton Hawks junior football program , for which
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more than $ 20,000 was raised via admission , 50 / 50 and choice auction ticket sales , according to Hammonton Rotary Club Joseph Brown . Brown formulated the idea behind Hammonton USA in 2002 and said it was great to see so many service organizations respond to the opportunity to join together once again for this year ’ s event .
“ I met with every club at their meetings , and they all jumped on board ; it was great having all the clubs working together now ,” Brown said .
Brown said he was approached by the Hawks , who were in need of fundraising amid their upcoming move to Hammonton Middle School ’ s William T . Capella Field , and put together the fundraiser in about two months with the dedicated assistance of representatives from the 11 aforementioned organizations . Brown said the Hawks were a good fit as the recipients of Hammonton USA ’ s because of the many Hammontonians who have been affiliated or impacted by the program .
“ I was a Hammonton Hawk ; a lot of people were ... When you think about it , you have four teams , there is 30 kids on each team — that ’ s 120 kids plus the cheerleaders and their families … It is a part of this town and it brings a lot of people in ,” Brown
Wednesday , April 26 , 2017 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
Huge crowd for Hammonton USA event for Hawks
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said .
Brown wasn ’ t alone in his efforts of bringing Hammonton USA back for another big fundraiser . He referred to Hammonton Lions club member / former president and Hammonton USA co-chairman Jose Diaz as his “ right-hand man ” during the process leading up to Saturday ’ s event . Diaz said the fact that so many organizations came together for one common goal says a lot about the strong culture of volunteerism among Hammonton ’ s service organizations , and a lot about the Hammonton community as a whole .
“ The fact that we have so many clubs , that we have a lot , that just shows a lot of the volunteerism . We ’ re here trying to fundraise for volunteers — all these coaches , all these parents and all — and that ’ s why we ’ re here . We ’ re Hammonton USA ; we ’ re trying to help other volunteers , other volunteer organizations . And it just says a lot about Hammonton , how close-knit we really are ,” Diaz said .
A large crowd came out to Kerri Brooke Caterers to offer their support to the Hammonton Hawks , including community and service organization members , football and cheerleading coaching staffs and some of the junior football program ’ s officers .
Hammonton Hawks treasurer David Maimone addressed the crowd toward the end of the
One Sindoni Lane , Suite C , Hammonton ( 609 ) 270-7886 • www . meadowsbridalshop . com evening , thanking the participating organizations and community members for their support , and said because of them , the Hawks will soon be able to return to the field that all three of Hammonton ’ s football teams once called home .
“ William T . Capella was where all the Hawk games were played , all the high school games were played and the St . Joe games , so it really is a homecoming for us and we thank everybody who contributed to this ,” Maimone said .
Hammonton Hawks vice president Clark Hovermale said the outpouring of support towards the program demonstrates how strong of a football culture is present in Hammonton , a culture that will continue as the program begins a new era at William T . Capella Field .
“ This has always been a football town . Anywhere you go , it is all about football , football , football . So , for us to have this opportunity to go back to William T . [ Capella Field ], which is basically where the Hawks started , that ’ s an even bigger honor for us . To have the opportunity for the whole community to come together , you really see how big football is in this town ,” Hovermale said .
Hammonton Hawks president and Hammonton Little League board member Russell Dustman
See HAWKS , Page 12
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