Noticias en español p . 21-22
Summer fun at Camp p . 35
Noticias en español p . 21-22
Tips for living healthier
p . 17-20
Summer fun at Camp p . 35
Wednesday , August 9 , 2023
Volume 27 • Issue 32 hammontongazette . com
Hammonton enjoys National Night Out
Candice Atwell / THG
Members of the Hammonton Police Department ( l-r : Chief Kevin Friel , Sean Grasso and Sam Angello ) take part in the tug-of-war contest during the National Night Out event on Aug . 4 . See more photos inside on pages 12-14 . by Jennifer McGraw FOR THE GAZETTE
Fireworks were a colorful finale on Friday to Hammonton ’ s National Night Out , which also featured a 5k race , Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders , a tug-ofwar contest , 43 vendors and 12 food trucks .
And , of course , the Hammonton Police Department .
The annual event brings the community and local law enforcement together in a fun and friendly environment . This was year 10 for Hammonton ’ s National Night Out .
“[ We ] had lots of positive feedback with the activities we had available , like the bouncy houses , interactive games by the vendors , the festive tunes played by the DJ and the variety of choices for the food trucks ,” Hammonton volunteer Mary Young said .
It was rainy and cloudy all day , but that didn ’ t limit the crowd .
“ I think despite the weather , we had a great turnout ,” Hammonton Family Success Center Director Patricia Donio said .
See NIGHT OUT , Page 12
Candice Atwell / THG
Joe Barbera ( left ) holds Autumn Holen as they meet Bluey during the National Night Out event .
READ , Allies in Caring collaborate to create environment for deaf children
by Kristin Guglietti GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
It began with a phone call from Stephanie Renart , a parent inquiring about sending her deaf 8-year-old son Cole to summer camp , to Lisa Seitles . the owner of READ Preschool and Camp Tuscaloosa . Is there a program ,
Renart asked , in which her youngster could really have a fun and safe summer camp experience ?
“ I really wanted to do my best to help Cole have an amazing camp experience with us ,” Seitles said . “ We ’ ve always done our best to accommodate children with a variety of disabilities , but because our own son Casey has Type 1 Diabetes it also has a personal meaning to us to help children with special needs .”
So Seitles had the idea of collaborating with Allies in Caring ’ s South Jersey Deaf and Hard of Hearing Coalition . She met with Ivette Guillermo-
Candice Atwell / THG
Tommy Holwell ( left ) and Lilah Holwell eat blueberry cannolis in front of Mannino ’ s Cannoli Express .
McGahee , founder and CEO of Allies in Caring , and for months they worked together to create a memorable summer camp experience for deaf children .
“ When we met with Allies in Caring , we discussed how to create a deaf program , how to incorporate deaf children safely into the community and give them the same opportunities and experiences as everyone else ,” Seitles said . “ They helped us create flyers and videos to advertise the program for the deaf community and also to help us advertise an opening for a camp counselor who is deaf that would help us and our team
See ASL CAMP , Page 10
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