The Washington Township Police Department and Habitat for Humanity of Warren County will be receiving special awards at this year’s Warren County Hall of Fame Dinner.

The Police will be given the President’s Award while Habitat will be the recipient of a Special Recognition Award.

Every year, as part of the Hall of Fame festivities, two organizations are cited for their efforts in the community.

The Warren County Hall of Fame is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 16, at Hawk Pointe Golf Club in Washington Township. 

This year’s Hall of Fame class includes Anne Grogan, Tracy Fazzolaro Carroll, Edward Smith; John Johnson, Melville Kries, Sr., and Maximillian Spann, Sr., posthumously. 

The Washington Township Police Department has a long history of providing outstanding service to the area.  In August of 2009 the Washington Township Police Department began providing police coverage to Washington Borough and also to Oxford Township in February 2010.  

“We are proud of the relationships we have with the communities we serve,” says Police Chief Tom Cicerelle. “That’s always been the culture of our department, starting with (former Chief) James McDonald. We continue to build upon that relationship every day. Because of this we are able to do our jobs that much better.”

As a result of their commitment to community, the Washington Township Police get a tremendous amount of support in myriad ways. The agency provides many services including Arson Investigation, Community Watch, Crime Prevention, Criminal Investigations, D.A.R.E., K-9 and Traffic Safety which are areas that officers receive specialized training in.  There are also several officers trained as Emergency Medical Technicians (since they arrive first on the scene of medical emergencies they are able to provide basic life support until the emergency squad arrives). 

The Washington Township Police Department recently became the first police department in Warren County to have implemented the use of School Resource Officers. The Police are also a frequent visitor to schools in the area, as well as Warren County Community College.  

Habitat for Humanity, meanwhile, has been a God-send for many families.  Groundbreaking for the first Warren County Habitat home took place in July, 2000 with dedication of that home occurring approximately one year later.

WCHFH has now completed 16 homes in Warren County to date, five of which were renovations. Several other projects are being planning. Today, a 3 bedroom home for a husband and wife and their two young daughters is under construction in Lopatcong Township. Completion is anticipated in spring of 2020, at which time a Dedication Ceremony will be held and the keys will be presented to the family.

These homes are constructed with the help of volunteers. Over the years hundreds of people have taken part. Habitat has also had a great deal of myriad support from companies. 

In addition to the impact of home ownership on the community, it’s important to note the part that its ReStore in Washington Township plays as well.  Not only do the sales proceeds provide a major portion of our build funds, but by offering a place for the community to donate their gently used belongings, Lastly, its Hope in the Hills of Warren (HHW) program also has had an enormous impact on the community, for elderly, disabled, and/or low income home owners and their ability to remain in their homes. HHW has provided more than $59,000 in materials over the last ten years, at no cost to homeowners, to perform minor indoor and outdoor repairs, painting, and yard work. 

Tickets for the event are available at www.warren.edu/foundation.