Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation To Honor Group at 36th Annual Business and Community Hero Awards Celebration on November 2

The Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation (BACC) will honor and thank a remarkable group of people and organizations at its 36th annual Business and Community Hero Awards Celebration on Nov. 2, at The Grove at Centerton in Pittsgrove, NJ.

“There are businesses, organizations, and individuals who by their leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and concern for others, have sustained and strengthened our community and economy by showing hometown heart and love for where they live”, said Carol Musso, President of BACC.

Randi Galan, Co-chair of the awards celebration committee, added, “we shine the spotlight on their service, character, dedication, compassion, courage, integrity, and achievements to show our gratitude, and to inspire others to support their efforts and to become community and business heroes themselves.”

Omarey Williams, awards committee Co-chair, commented on the Francis L. Sharp, Sr. Lifetime Achievement Awards recipients, saying, “we are honoring three people whose integrity, faith, and service to others over their lifetimes, inspires others and makes “this a better place for all people.”

To honor his memory, of the late Francis L. Sharp, Sr. (Binks Sharp), who served his community with extraordinary dedication and integrity throughout his life, including a long, esteemed record of leadership of the Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber presents its lifetime achievement award in his honor. A husband-and-wife team, owners of Ultra Clean Technologies, Debby and Bruce Riley, and James Crilley, Mayor of Upper Deerfield, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Chamber’s and one of the community’s most prestigious awards.

Extraordinary service and leadership are two of the many attributes that describe Mayor Jim Crilley’s life of service. These are highlighted by military service as a Sergeant with N.J. Army National Guard, former President and Chief Operating Officer of B.W. Stetson & Company, and Upper Deerfield Township Committeeman since 1996, and Mayor since 2006.

“When I think of a person of faith, family, integrity, and community, who loves where he lives, I think of Jim Crilley,” commented Tony Stanzione,

Chief Executive Officer of BACC. Debby and Bruce Riley are the dynamic duo, partners in life, business, and outstanding community service, and the first husband and wife team to receive the Francis L. Sharp, Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award together.

As the old song says, “love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage … you can’t have one without the other.” Bruce & Debby have been married to, and have worked with, one another for 40 years. The remarkable success they have achieved in business and in their lives of service to community and family are a result of teamwork.

Bruce and Debby are examples of people who truly “love where they live.” The memorial to 9-11 they created at their business in Hopewell Township in 2011 grew to become one of the region’s largest commemorations, involving hundreds of volunteers, and honoring police, firefighters, and first responders. It was a fitting and touching memorial to the thousands who died on Sept. 11, 2001.

Recently, Bruce and Debby, were instrumental in the project that restored the walking path bridges and wooden walkways in Bridgeton City Park. “We are blessed to have people in our community like Debby and Bruce Riley who care, and who believe in our area, said Carol Musso.

To honor the memory of the late Gary F. Simmerman, who served the Chamber for 40 consecutive years in many leadership roles and was a leader in the business community and community in general throughout his life, the Chamber presents the Gary F. Simmerman Community Leadership Awards annually. This year the award is going to Bridgeton Main Street Association (BMS). BMS’s mission is to revitalize and preserve historic downtown Bridgeton through business development, partnerships, collaborations, and through promotion, by making Bridgeton a “destination”.

It is the oldest continually operating Main Street organization in the State of New Jersey. This volunteer-based organization exemplifies what “love where you live” means, brings its mission to life through the engagement of volunteers, organizations, and the community at large. Bridgeton Main Street’s volunteer president is Sandra Olbrich. Her leadership began just about the same time as the COVID pandemic.

She has led the organization through the most challenging of times, bringing in revenue through new grant sources when more traditional funding was not an option. The production of the 2022 merchant’s guide fulfills one of Olbrich’s primary goals. BACC’s business heroes in 2022 include Russell’s Automotive Repair Center and Russell’s Truck Sales.

Alvin Russell’s technical expertise and his entrepreneurial spirit led to the opening of Russell’s Automotive Repair Center in 2007 at 712 Landis Ave., Bridgeton, in Rosenhayn, Deerfield Township. Honesty, integrity, and quality work sets Russell’s Automotive apart from many service and repair shops, sparking the steady growth of the business.

The center’s specialization in diesel repair made diesel truck sales an obvious growth opportunity for the business. Russell’s Truck Sales was formed in 2015 as a sister company to Russell’s Automotive Service Center, adjacent to his repair business. Campani’s Legacy Lanes is also recognized as a business hero.

The bowling alley at 518 Landis Avenue in Rosenhayn was known as Pike Lanes and was founded by John Campani in 1958. The Brunswick bowling center, that includes a full-service bar, sits on ten acres of land with a driving range in the back, was built by the hand of John Campani who constructed the first 12 lanes in 1958 and added 16 more in the 1960’s.

The bowling center has served our community for over 60 years, hosting birthday parties, weddings, funerals, baby, and bridal showers. Legacy Lanes has also hosted professional bowlers as well as state bowling tournaments in past years. The Legacy Lanes family will continue providing a safe and enjoyable bowling and entertainment experience for the region. The Chamber proudly presents Diana and her company with the business hero award The third business hero award for 2022 will be presented to Quinn Broadcasting, Inc., which under the leadership of Jim Quinn has a long history in South Jersey.

It was founded by Jim Quinn over 40 years ago. They have served South Jersey residents and businesses on radio, television, and in all of the online media outlets that exist today — YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and much more. The Quinn Broadcasting studios are based in Millville with facilities and broadcast tower in Upper Deerfield. Programing includes television broadcasts, host radio shows, and create videos, advertisements, and the branding needed to increase sales and grow businesses.

Jim Quinn and his team have built a solid network of partners that can assist businesses and organizations with all their marketing needs including website creation and management, content marketing, brand management and much more.

Jim Quinn has a legacy in broadcasting and always had the voice of the broadcasters. He could be heard on WWBZ in Vineland in the 1960’s. Now he is seen and heard on his signature TV show “Around South Jersey with Jim Quinn.” “Day after day, ordinary people become heroes through extraordinary and selfless actions to help their neighbors”, a quote from Sylvia Mathews Burwell.

It defines the community heroes BACC is honoring on Nov. 2. Judy Martin and Judy Allison, two of this year’s community heroes, have been walking in the Bridgeton City Park for over 2 years, working at getting 10,000 steps each day. They started picking up trash in the park as they walked when they noticed that there was so much litter and have been doing it every day since.

They were nominated for this community hero award by people who have taken notice of the good work they are doing to beautify the area. What Martin and Allison do is what “love where you live” is all about. It is their hope that their efforts have a positive impact on the culture of the community and encourages more residents to help maintain a litter-free park and city for all to enjoy.

Bridgeton Police Detective Joshua Thompson is also being recognized as a community hero. Officer Thompson is currently the director of the Bridgeton Area Police Activities League. Thompson is a veteran officer on the Bridgeton Police Department with over 26 years of active service on the department. He prides himself with treating others the way he would expect to be treated himself.

Thompson credits his faith in God for that inspiration and his wife, Dianna, and his family, for supporting him and his career. Jon Cummings, Chamber Vice President, in his nomination of Josh Thompson said, “he has poured his heart into serving countless youth and families. He’s invested countless hours in building relationships with young people and families to help guide them toward success. He is the epitome of what it means to be a community hero.”

The cost to attend is $75 per person. Reservations are requested no later than Oct. 26. More information about the award recipients, the celebration, sponsorship opportunities, and reservations is available at www.tinyurl.com/bacchero, www.CumberlandGrows.com/hero and by calling 856-455-1312.