Page 4 • Wednesday , November 2 , 2022 • The Hammonton Gazette
L . E . A . D . organization funds unwrapped SUV in honor of Cpl . Jones
SUV , from Page 1 Corporal Rich Jones ,” is written on the rear and sides of the vehicle , to honor the Corporal and SRO officer . The vehicle number is 971 , which was the number of Corporal Jones ’ badge . Current HHS SRO officer Ken O ’ Neil will be the primary officer to drive the vehicle .
Young explained that the vehicle would be utilized by Hammonton High School , with SRO O ’ Neil in the driver ’ s seat . The ultimate goal of the vehicle is to engage in a conversation about Jones , remembering the loyalty and service he provided to the town and the high school .
The project was funded by the L . E . A . D organization , which Young further explained .
“ The financial part of it was provided by L . E . A . D . … the bins that we have in the parking lot in Walmart , that ’ s where our local funds come from . The people donate shoes and clothing in that bin , they pick it up and then we get so much per weight . Anyone that donates to those bins that money stays directly here in Hammonton , to help support those types of events ,” Young said .
With the community donating the clothes in the L . E . A . D bins , the organization can gain the funds to help out the police in Hammonton with events or memorials such as the SUV in memory of Jones .
“ This is the second car we ’ ve done … those bins have allowed us to do events like this . We honored the K-9 that passed away , we have the statue in front of town hall . Those are the things we like to do ,” Young said .
The vehicle was first unveiled at the Hammonton High School homecoming game in October , where it led the homecoming parade around the field of the game . Supporters in the stands saw the vehicle for the first time and cheered on in support . Many officers were at the game in support of the unveiling and of Jones . The vehicle was also part of the Kiwanis Halloween Parade on October 26 .
For more information on the Hammonton Drug Alliance , head to their Facebook page where information is posted regularly about events and meetings .
Veterans Day Ceremony Nov . 11
HAMMONTON — The Tri- Vets of Hammonton will host a Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday evening , Veterans Day , November 11 at 7 p . m .
The Ceremony will be held in the Hammonton Middle School auditorium on Liberty Street .
There will be speeches by local and county dignitaries , patriotic songs , and our guest speaker is John Amendolia , who served one tour of duty in Afghanistan .
“ Show your support to veterans , please attend this solemn ceremony ,” John DeLucca from VFW Post 1026 said in a release .