Community Corner

Want to Give Back? Here's How ...

It's the season for giving, and Moorestown residents have plenty of opportunities this week (and beyond) to be charitable.

'Tis the season of giving. And there's perhaps no better week to exercise your philanthropic spirit than this one.

There are several opportunities to help those in need this week, beginning with the annual Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving Eve at Wesley Bishop Park.

The adult soccer match, now in its fifth year, will pit reigning Turkey Bowl champ Moorestown II (of the South Jersey Masters Soccer League) against Moorestown Hotspur (a combination of Moorestown adult recreation program players and other South Jersey Masters Soccer League players). 

But the most important part of the day is the donations that will be collected for local food banks. Organizer Scott Cooper said players and spectators are urged to bring canned and other non-perishable food, all of which will be donated to the First Presbyterian Church, which then coordinates with other local food banks to get the goods to those most in need.

"Whether you're a soccer fan or not, please, just come to the field for 5 minutes, enjoy the pageantry, and drop off your food," said Cooper.

The Turkey Bowl starts at 7 p.m.

Mother Nature may still spoil the game, but regardless of the weather, Cooper said, "There will still be somebody at that field at 7 p.m. (collecting food) ... whether we play soccer or not."

Get in a pre-Thanksgiving dinner workout on Thursday morning with the annual Moorestown Turkey Trot. Registration for the event, which benefits the Moorestown High School cross country teams, starts at 8:15 a.m. There's both a 1-mile fun run (9:15 a.m.) and a 5k (9:45). More than 500 people have already signed up.

And if you're not a runner, don't worry. This is a non-timed race, with the emphasis on fun (and free food). Speaking of food, MooreKids will be on hand at the event to collect donations of healthy breakfast/snack food items for students who receive free/reduced lunch.

The morning after Thanksgiving, skip the Black Friday deals and take in another American pastime: football. The Moorestown Youth Football Association's annual charity flag football tournament at Wesley Bishop kicks off at 11 a.m.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Camden County. Organizer Joe Ehrline called it an "awesome cause," and pointed to two figures in particular that underscore the group's mission: the dropout rate for Camden students is 65 percent, while Camden students in the Boys & Girls Club have a graduation rate of 95 percent.

Ehrline said the tournament raised $16,000 in 2012.

It's too late to register a team to play in the tournament, but Ehrline said donations will be collected at the event. Or you can mail checks payable to the Boys & Girls Club of Camden County to 118 Country Club Drive, Moorestown, NJ 08057. For more info, email or call Ehrline at jehrline@yahoo.com or 856-866-1172.

Finally, if you can't make it to any of these great events but still want to give back somehow, Moorestown resident Desiree Miller and her family are once again running their annual coat drive to benefit the New Visions Homeless Shelter in Camden.

They're collecting more than coats tough: hats, scarves, gloves, blankets and toiletries (toothpaste, deodorant, etc.) are all welcome as well—in all sizes.

They've had a slow start so far, Miller said. The drive ends Dec. 15, so swing by now and drop off your winter garb outside the family's garage door at 214 Country Club Drive. 

"(New Visions) director Kevin Moran tells me as soon as the items come in they go out immediately to those less fortunate," Miller wrote to Patch in an email. "Most of these folks are sleeping outdoors.

"It's so cold now. I'm upset about it."

Do you know of any other local charitable opportunities this week or this holiday season? Tell us in the comments below or email rob.scott@patch.com.


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