Smilestones
Sea Isle City Police Department Sergeant Steven Jankowski (left) and Patrolman Alexander Symanski (right) with Alex Mann.
MAN ON A MISSION VISITS SICPD
Alex Mann has the unique mission of visiting police departments in various states to raise autism awareness and show support for law enforcement. Over the past seven years, the 26-year-old from Malvern, Pa., has toured 529 departments in five states.
Mann returned to the Sea Isle City Police Department for his second visit on April 23. He toured the facility, met with officers, and participated in a ride-along. During his visit, he also met Mayor Leonard Desiderio, who presented him with a key to the city.
A graduate of Great Valley High School, Mann works in information technology and volunteers with emergency services. Police Chief Anthony Garreffi Jr. praised Mann’s efforts, noting his work educating officers on how to better interact with individuals on the autism spectrum.
“Green Thumb Award” recipient Andy Gallagher receives award from Mayor Len Desiderio, Mike Jargowsky, Fran Smith and Bill Kehner.
GREEN THUMB AWARD GOES TO ANDY GALLAGHER
Mayor Leonard Desiderio presented the Green Thumb Award to longtime resident Andy Gallagher during Sea Isle City’s annual Arbor Day celebration on April 25 in recognition of his dedication to keeping the community clean and welcoming.
Gallagher, 89. helped launch the city’s Litter Patrol in 2003 alongside four other seasonal employees. More than two decades later, he remains the last original member and still works four days a week during the busy summer season, collecting litter throughout town.
An Army veteran and member of VFW Post 1963 and St. Joseph Church, Gallagher has called Sea Isle City home full-time since the mid-1990s. Despite his age, Gallagher shows no signs of slowing down and plans to continue his work with the Litter Patrol for years to come.
Some of the Catholic Daughters from St. Joseph Church during their sixth annual Easter Basket Drive. From left: Carole McCullough, Janice Gheysens, Bette Keller, Linda Levitsky, and Barbara Cummins, Sue Kollmar, Barbara Rice, Betty Ann Brittingham, and Cathy Fagan.
CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS’ BASKET DRIVE SPREADS EASTER JOY
In a show of community spirit, the Catholic Daughters Court Our Lady of Mercy #1655 of St. Joseph Church hosted their sixth annual Easter Basket Drive, bringing joy to neighbors in need and homebound residents.
More than 120 festive baskets were filled with candy, toys, and snacks, thanks to generous donations from parishioners and members. Students from the parish’s religious education program added a special touch by assembling the baskets, wrapping them in colorful cellophane, and including handwritten notes.
The baskets were distributed to several local organizations, including the Branches Outreach Center in Rio Grande, the Holy Redeemer Food Bank and Mobile Pantry in Ocean View, and Covenant House in Atlantic City, as well as to homebound residents.
Organizer Bette Keller noted the drive’s growing importance, sharing that volunteers are proud to continue spreading kindness and Easter joy throughout the community.
Look What the Stork Brought
TONY PINCKNEY
Tony Pinckney was born Feb. 25 to Kira Pittaluga Pinckney and Shane Pinckney, of Clermont. He weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces and measured 19.75 inches long. His proud grandparents are Jean and Pete Pittaluga, of Clermont, and Gary and Vicki Pinckney, of Woodbine. Kira’s family has owned businesses in Sea Isle City for decades. She now works as a recruiter and Shane works at South Jersey Gas. The family is looking forward to Tony’s first Sea Isle summer.
