Community Corner

Fundraiser Benefits Family of Late Moorestown Employee

Supporters have rallied to show their support for Dorothy Samartino, longtime township tax collector, who died in September.

Members of the community are showing their support—symbolically and financially—for the family of Dorothy Samartino this weekend.

Samartino, longtime Moorestown tax collector, passed away last month from complications related to her long battle with breast cancer.

High school students Joseph Talvacchia and Bryan Bielawski have been friends with Samartino’s son, Mike, a freshman, since sixth grade and saw a chance to help shortly after her passing. Bryan’s mother, Sue, runs her own business creating novelty headbands and keychains, so they commissioned her to make special pink ones promoting breast cancer awareness—the proceeds from which will benefit a scholarship fund created in Mike’s name.

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Joseph said the Samartino family was moved by their gesture—particularly her husband, Gordon.

“He just kept thanking us,” said Joseph.

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“It meant a lot to him that (Dorothy) meant so much to (the boys),” added Sue. “They just thought so much of her.”

The headbands and keychains are $10 each. Email moorestownawareness@aol.com to order yours.

Sue said the boys have made close to $1,000, and possibly more since they still have a number of pending orders. She stressed that 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the scholarship fund.

The items will also be on sale at the Moorestown Quakes ice hockey JV-A game against Cherokee at Voorhees Skate Zone this Sunday. The game starts at 8:40 p.m. Donations will also be collected at the game to go toward the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Spectators are encouraged to wear pink.


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