The very dedicated Maple Shade Police Chaplain Corp stayed on the front lines with our first responders during a challenging 2021. Whether it was Covid-19, devastating fire scenes, death investigations or community insecurities with respect to food or mental health issues, our Chaplain Corp was there to meet the challenges.
The Chaplain Corp handled 11 activations for 2021 to include responding out to a major fires to support victims, providing counseling and caring to those struggling with family or personal issues and supporting our residents when family or friends pass away. Covid-19 did not take the Chaplain Corp off-line, they stayed in the fight, cared for our community and continue to do so to this day. We thank them for their selfless service!
The Chaplain Corp also partnered with the Police Department, the Township of Maple Shade, PBA Local #267, the Maple Shade Food Bank, the Maple Shade Business Association and Advisory Board of Commerce, Bentley Trucking, U-Haul of Maple Shade, Maple Shade Youth Groups and Sports Organizations, the Maple Shade School District and the Maple Shade Police Chaplain Association (our non-profit) to host a massive town wide food drive called the “Fill the Truck Event” in September 2021. Unable to host our National Night Out Event due to Covid-19 which is typically held in August, our team mobilized throughout the community to address food insecurity issues and to support our township food bank.
Thanks to the generosity of the Tilghman Funeral Home, McDowell Law, the Maple Shade Business Association, Mohawk Computers, the Maple Shade Moose Lodge and Investor’s Bank, prize money was awarded to our participating youth and sports groups who donated requested items in exchange for an opportunity to win prize money during a time when many groups were unable to do any fundraising. It was a win-win for all involved and we appreciate the efforts of our children and their parents for working with us in caring for our community.
As we transition into 2022, the Chaplain Corp will remain on the front lines ready, willing and able to care for our community, our first responders and their families as we continue to battle through a pandemic unlike anything most of us have seen in our lifetimes. The Chaplain Corp remains resilient and grounded knowing full well that the power of the human spirit will emerge victorious and there will be a better collective future ahead for us all and the town that we care so much about.
