Alex Kaganzev Receives April 2021 New Jersey’s Heartland Hero Award
Alex Kaganzev has been thanklessly working in the background and has restored hope to individuals for more than a decade. He started Project Thanksgiving to collect and distribute turkeys, donations, and food for families in Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties. In 2020, Project Thanksgiving afforded over 200 veterans and their families a delicious Thanksgiving meal!
His show of support and care for the community does not stop there. He initiated an Angel Tree through Project Santa, a partnership with the Vineland Public Library, to collect gifts for children in town during the holidays. The children create a similar ornament with their name, age, and gender on it. Community residents select one of the decorations of their choice from the Christmas tree at the library and then, in exchange, donate a gift to that child to spread holiday joy!
While managing all of these charitable events, Alex still finds time for his daily responsibilities as Vice President of the Board of Trustees of The Boys and Girls Clubs of Cumberland County. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Cumberland County, along with Alex’s help, are preparing two upcoming Easter parties for children to receive Easter baskets filled with toys and candy. Additionally, kids of those clubs will participate in ‘Blankets of Hope’ and write a handwritten note of encouragement to go along with a blanket and Easter basket to be donated to a homeless person at the Cumberland Family Shelter in Vineland, NJ.
For these reasons, New Jersey’s Heartland is proud to honor Alex Kaganzev of Vineland, New Jersey, as the April 2021 Heartland Hero Winner.
While New Jersey’s Heartland is filled with hidden gems, its biggest treasures are the people who make the region a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family. All Heartland Heroes receive a Heartland Heroes Certificate and Gift Basket in recognition of their award. To nominate your Heartland Hero, visit http://njheartland.org/live/heartland-heroes-nomination-form/.
