Clinton Township Newsletter

2 4 d e c e m b e r 2 0 2 2 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 d e S i r e T o S e r v e h i S C o m m u n i T y m o T i v a T e S S B e S v o l u n T e e r As a South Branch Emergency Services Rescue Associate, Daniel Dix utilizes the energy and motivation he was raised with, and this inspiration has given him a desire to serve his community. "It exhilarates me to take a piece of all of that and introduce it back into this organization and the great members that it has," Daniel, 35, said. Daniel grew up in an urban area, surrounded by a lot of family and friends who had careers in emergency services. Their experiences, including his father's twenty-five years as a police officer, influenced him to become interested in various types of technical rescue. "Just seeing his commitment to the community was something that I wanted to take part in as well," Daniel said. Daniel has been involved in emergency services since he was sixteen years old. Having received his EMT certification in 2005, Daniel now holds certifications in water rescue, confined space, trench rescue, vehicle extrication, rope rescue, firefighter I and II, structural collapse, as well as various ICS training, OSHA training, and HAZMAT training. In 2009, Daniel became a volunteer firefighter as another means of serving his community. He moved to Hunterdon County in 2015 where he currently lives with his supportive wife and two daughters, ages four and six. Daniel joined South Branch in May of 2022 and has been enjoying the teamwork and opportunity to give back. "We each have different stories for why we became involved in public service, and different things we can offer," he said. "We each have different motivations on why we do what we do. Together we all have one common goal, which is to have the ability to save life and property, and educate the thousands that live, work, and commute throughout our community." South Branch Emergency Services is looking for volunteers like you! No experience is necessary, and training and gear are provided for members. Visit sbes365.org to sign up or learn more. T r o o p 2 0 0 C e l e B r a T e S T h r e e n e w e a g l e S C o u T S Three Clinton Township residents have achieved the highest rank in Boy Scouts of America, becoming Eagle Scouts. John Martoccia, Andrew Bozzi and Justin Verlin, members of BSA Troop 200, chartered by the Lebanon Reformed Church earned their Eagle rank in October, becoming the troop's 93rd, 94th and 95th Eagle Scouts. #93 John Martoccia. The Immaculate Conception School and Church are the beneficiaries or John's Eagle Scout project. Throughout the 40+ hour project, John organized a team of 18 volunteers, including his father, grandfather, friends and troop members, as they built three garden beds and a storage shed. A senior at North Hunterdon High School, John's journey to Eagle Scout began in third grade with Cub Scout in Pack 190, earning the Arrow of Light as a Webelo. As a member of Troop 200, John has earned 28 merit badges and served as the troop's Quartermaster, Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. He went on a two-week trek to Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico. In 2020, he was selected for membership in the Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scout National Honor Society before becoming Troop 200's ninety-third Eagle Scout. #94 Andrew Bozzi. For his Eagle project, Andrew, a senior at North Hunterdon High School, designed and organized a team of volunteers to build a community garden on Cherry Street in Lebanon Borough, sponsored by the Lebanon Reformed Church. Andrew's path to Eagle Scout began 11 years ago as a Cub Scout in Pack 901, earning the Arrow of Light as a Webelo. As a member of Troop 200, Andrew served as a Patrol Leader, Troop Scribe, Chaplain's Aide and Senior Patrol Leader. He has earned 38 merit badges and has been on several high adventure treks with the Troop including Philmont Scout Reservation and Seabase Florida. In 2019, he was selected for membership in the Order of the Arrow, scouting's National Honor Society, earning the rank of Brotherhood, before becoming Troop 200's ninety-fourth Eagle Scout. #95 Justin Verlin. A senior at North Hunterdon High School, Justin's Eagle Scout project consisted of designing a plan and organizing a team of a dozen volunteers to build a fence around a newly created community garden on Cherry Street in Lebanon Borough. Justin's path to Eagle Scout began 11 years ago as a Cub Scout in Pack 901, where he earned the Arrow of Light as a Webelo. As a member of Troop 200, Justin has earned 35 merit badges and served as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leader. He has earned the BSA's snorkeling and kayaking badges and had the opportunity to go on a high adventure trek to Seabase in the Florida Keys. In 2019, he was selected for membership in the Order of the Arrow, scouting's National Honor Society, earning the rank of Brotherhood, before becoming Troop 200's ninety-fifth Eagle Scout. Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank. To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, a Scout must be active in their troop, provide leadership, earn 21 merit badges and demonstrate that they live by the principles of the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. They must also plan, develop and give leadership to others in a service project benefiting a religious institution, school or community group. Since 1955, Troop 200 has been a high-adventure, boy-led troop. The scouts meet Monday evenings at Lebanon Reformed Church. For more information, follow BSA Troop 200 on Facebook, Troop 200 NJ on Instagram or reach out via Troop200NJ@gmail.com. B S a T r o o p 2 8 8 h a S h a d a B u S y m o n T h ! A crew of fifteen Scouts and adult leaders recently took to the Highlands Trail equipped, not only with their hiking boots, but with pruners and loppers. The troop is a member of the New York-New Jersey Trails Conference, and is responsible for the maintenance of a one mile section of the Highlands Trail at Spruce Run Recreation Area. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a volunteer-powered organization that builds, maintains, and protects public trails. Together with their partners, they strive to ensure that trails and natural areas are sustainable and accessible for all to enjoy for generations to come. Next time you're looking to get outdoors, visit https://www.nynjtc.org/ hike-finder-map, and choose from over 700 hikes, parks and destinations throughout New Jersey and New York. The troop also traveled to Annapolis, MD to participate in Scout Day at the US Naval Academy. Scouts enjoyed a tour of "The Yard", before watching Navy Football take on University of Houston at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. And for Halloween, BSA Troop 288 joined forces with BSA Troop 432G for a fun Trunk or Treat to celebrate the spooky season. BSA Troop 288 meets on Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm in the Fellowship Hall at Annandale Reformed Church, and welcomes new members. For more information on Scouting, visit www.BeAScout.scouting.org, or contact Scoutmaster Chris Neighbor (cgneighbor@comcast.net) for information about joining BSA Troop 288. "Hanukkah is about the spark of the divine in all of us made in God's image." ~ Suzanne Fields

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