Public Awareness & Recruitment Initiative

Once again our annual "Public Awareness & Recruitment Initiative" held this year at the Burlington Center on April 18th and April 19th was a tremendous success. This year we will have two (2) trailers (Willingboro CERT & CART) along with eight (8) tables inside the mall. We will also have one (1) trailer (Pinelands Regional CERT) & the command tent located outside in the parking lot area. Despite summer-like weather and the poor economy, our members greeted over several hundred shoppers and provided them with information and pamphlets pertaining to emergency preparedness. Fifty-one (51) citizens registered as new members for CERT & CART, along with eight (8) citizens registered as new members for MRC. I would also like to recognize the following private establishments that supported this event: Burlington Center (provided the display space, staging area, table & chairs, parking lot); Hainesport Shop-Rite (provided sandwiches & water); Burlington Rent-A-Center (provided 42" flat-screen for our video display); Mount Holly Acme (provided soda & chips). I encourage all members to patronize these establishments whenever possible.

This event was very labor intense and required a tremendous amount of planning. The positive results were accomplished by the dedication and hard work of the our members. I was extremely impressed with how well our members worked as a team, remained enthusiastic and motivated. Our members continuously displayed a professional attitude and proudly represented Burlington County. Please forward a “THANK YOU” and a “JOB WELL DONE” to the members of your specific groups.

April 11th (inventory trailers)
Andrew Walko (Moorestown CERT); Rich Schemelia (Pemberton CERT); John Carroll Jr, Charlie Day, Gary Johnson (Willingboro CERT)

April 13th (inventory pamphlets & hand-outs)
Rich Schemelia (Pemberton CERT); Charlie Day (Willingboro CERT)

April 17th (wash & wax trailers)
Elaine Sullivan, Tracey Sunderland (CART); Alex Elefante (Burlington City/Twp CERT), Andrew Walko (Moorestown CERT); Jerry Parker, Zak Raab (Mt Laurel CERT); Christine Schemelia, Rich Schemelia (Pemberton CERT); Larry Bernett, Charlie Day, Gary Johnson, Noble Jones (Willingboro CERT)

April 18th (event date)
Dawn Hatch, Carolyn Shelby, Billie Stiffler, Mike Stiffler, Tracey Sunderland (CART); Bonnie Christopher, Robert Davison, Sylvia Davison, Yvonne Grinnel, Gary Kinney, Jean Kinney, Janet Siler (MRC); Christine Caruso, Alex Elefante, Sabra Jernigan (Burlington City/Twp CERT); Bonnie Apone, Chuck Sansone (Evesham CERT); Bob Banes (Moorestown CERT); Lena Counts, Joann O'Neill, Jerry Parker (Mt Laurel CERT); Sue MacDonald, Christine Schemelia, Rich Schemelia, Bill Wade (Pemberton CERT); Bill Gates, Richard Ireton, Bill Lowe (Pinelands Regional CERT); Ed Spooner (Tri-Boro CERT); Charlie Day, Ida Handy, Gary Johnson, Barbara Payton, Clyde Zarkos (Willingboro CERT)

April 19th (event date)
Ann Lopez, Carole Quattlander, Tracey Sunderland (CART); Dorothy Cannon, Robert Davison (MRC); Cindy Kossove, Charmaine Sunderland, Bill Walker (Burlington City/Twp); Bessie Jones (Evesham CERT); Florence Jacobs (Medford CERT); Marsha Cavender, Jane Coles, Jo-Ann Devacchio, Joann O'Neill, Jerry Parker (Mt Laurel CERT); Christine Schemelia, Rich Schemelia,(Pemberton CERT); Bill Gates, Jack Gordon, Bill Lowe, Ray McCarty (Pinelands Regional CERT); Cindi Vee (Tri-Boro CERT); Charlie Day, Sally Elbridge, Noble Jones, Gary Johnson, Clyde Zarkos (Willingboro CERT)


Wayne Comegno
Burlington County OEM