Bridgeton Area Chamber Of Commerce Announces 2020 Lifetime Achievement and Community Leadership award

The Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce, which has recognized businesses and community leaders for 34 years with its Salute to Business and Industry Awards, will also honor and thank “community heroes” when it holds its awards celebration on December 1, 2020, 5 – 7:30 PM

The Chamber Chairperson, Carol Musso, and the Salute to Business Chairperson, Laurie LaTorre, are proud to announce the Lifetime Achievement and Community Leadership awards for 2020.

Mayor Bruce Hankins to Receive the Francis Sharp Lifetime Achievement Award

Bruce Hankins is completing 33 years on Hopewell Township Committee, 13 of which serving as Mayor. He is an owner of the long-time family-owned business in Bridgeton, H.H. Hankins & Bro. He and his brother Brent, a previous Francis Sharp Award winner, have led the business, New Jersey’s oldest family-owned lumberyard, since 1972.

He led many community projects such as the Hopewell Business Park and the Hopewell Park. Bruce has a long record of service to Bridgeton Troop 1 of the Boy Scouts of America, including serving as treasurer and has also served many other community and business groups.

His lifetime of business and community leadership and his commitment to his family, have been guided by high ethical standards, strong faith, and a sincere concern for his community.

Dr. Robin Weinstein to Receive the Gary F. Simmerman Community Leadership Award

Dr. Robin Weinstein is the founder and President of the M25 Initiative, a nonprofit that works to empower and mobilize individuals and organizations in Cumberland County to employ innovative and cooperative solutions to feed the hungry, end poverty, reduce crime, revitalize a spirit of community and transform lives.

He is co-founder of the Cumberland County Housing First Collaborative, founding Pastor of Bethany Grace Community Church in Bridgeton and is Associate Professor in the College of Business at Wilmington University.

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, his leadership has helped other local organizations with grants, bringing relief to many people in Bridgeton and Cumberland County.

This award’s namesake, Gary Simmerman, died this year. Robin exemplifies the strong community leadership that Gary was known for throughout his life.

The celebration will be held outdoors as a drive-in event on the parking lot of Cumberland Mutual in Hopewell.  Dinner will be served to guests in their vehicles as they arrive. Vehicles will be guided to reserved parking spaces where there will be sufficient space to bring chairs and sit near your cars if you wish or you may stay in your cars. 

There will be a stage for presentations, a giant HD screen where the presentations may be seen live and where photo and video introductions will be shown.  Audio will be available via a public address system and via your car’s FM radio.  The cost is $35 per person.

For more information on attending, and sponsoring, see www.baccnj.com/hero  or call 856-455-1312.