Clinton Township Newsletter

1 2 m a y 2 0 2 0 W W W . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . C O M "The first virtue in a soldier is endurance of fatigue; courage is only the second virtue. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte "If you're going to go through hell… I suggest you come back learning something." ~ Drew Barrymore THE AHEADER I GO, THE BEHINDER I GET From the "Old Guy with a Pony Tail" at Mendham Garden Center Does it seem that the aheader your lawn goes The behinder that it gets? Are you getting poor results? Are you having more regrets? Are woulda, shoulda, coulda's consuming all your thoughts? Are the products that you've needed not the ones you've bought? It's time to see the old guy who works at MGC!I'm the old guy with a pony tail – just stop and talk to me. Follow my direction, trust me and you'll see. I'm a whole lot better at lawn care... than I am at poetry! Court Appointed Special Advocates of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties (CASA SHaW) is one of the nonprofits in our region that is doing its part to make sure that vulnerable children and families have items they can utilize as they cope with our new social realities during the COVID-19 crisis. "Child abuse and neglect increase when schools are closed, caregivers lose their income, and worries about bills, food, and family stress builds. Due to the current crisis we all are facing and our new social realities of being quarantined, many foster children do not have ready access to their regular stabilizers and safety nets. We have been delivering items to help these kids and their families by letting them know they are not forgotten during this time," said Tracey Heisler, Executive Director of CASA SHaW. In addition to helping children in foster care, CASA SHaW has also been delivering items like First Night bags, toiletry kits, birthday bags and boxes, nightlights, books, pajamas, school supplies, crayons and coloring books, backpacks, puzzles, games, and socks to other families in the community who need support. Staff also made "comfort bags" for medical personnel at local hospitals with donations from the Bound Brook Women's Club. These donations came to CASA SHaW from friends like St. John of the Mountain Church in Bernardsville, New York Life in Lebanon, the Jack and Jill Club of Central New Jersey, numerous women's club groups in the tri-counties, and many other community partners. Heisler recently received a heartwarming message from a grandmother of a foster child indicating that her very depressed 13-year old grandson, of whom she has custody, was elated to have received a birthday bag, a birthday box, and a First Night bag from CASA SHaW. "She told me, 'it has been years since I have seen him as excited as he was going through his birthday bag and the other things you brought,'" Heisler said. "It is truly amazing what we can all do collectively even during times of uncertainty and fear," said Heisler. CASA of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties is part of a statewide network of community-based, non-profit programs that recruit, screen, train and supervise volunteers to "Speak Up for a Child" removed from home due to abuse or neglect. CASA is the only program in New Jersey that uses trained volunteers to work one-on-one with children, ensuring that each one gets the services needed and achieves permanency in a safe, nurturing home. Visit: www.CASAofNJ.org for more information. C A s A s h A w – h e l P i n g v u l n e r A B l e C h i l D r e n A n D f A m i l i e s C o P e D u r i n g t h e C o v i D - 1 9 C r i s i s t h e D e n i l A w g r o u P At the time this article was submitted for publication, we were all at home, practicing social distancing and working remotely. It appears this will be the new normal for a good part of the spring. One thing that has become clear during this crisis is how much we at The Deni Law Group, with a law practice focused on Family, Criminal, and Estate Law, interact with our clients in a meaningful and personal way. It has been a challenge, but we have adapted to remain in touch with clients, new and old. The Courts remain available to those with emergent matters, including Domestic Violence Protective Orders, Extreme Risk Weapons Protective Orders, criminal matters and children in need of services. You can reach us by phone, by email through our website contact form and we are available for a video conference to address the needs of clients. While technology can never replace in-person counsel, we are committed to continuing the same personal care and attention we have always provided. As difficult as this health crisis is on our families, our children, and our small businesses, it is incumbent upon us all to take care of ourselves, follow the directives of the medical professionals, and by doing our part to minimize contact with others, we can help take care of our community. Hunterdon County is a special place to live and work and we look forward to returning to being active in our community as soon as we can. But for now, please know the Courthouse and our Lawyers remain available to you. Contact The Deni Law Group at: 908.782.2900 and: www.DeniLaw.com.

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