NEW JERSEY – Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) Friday stopped by Mountainside Rescue Squad and Clark Volunteer Fire Department to deliver handmade Valentines to first responders and to mark important milestones at both locations.
The Mountainside Rescue Squad was named the National Conference on EMS’s 2024 Prehospital Program of the Year. The award honors currently licensed mobile intensive care, mobile specialty care, or aeromedical registered nurses who have provided exceptional leadership. The Clark Volunteer Fire Department recently celebrated its 100th Anniversary.
For the past month, Congressman Kean hosted a district-wide call encouraging the NJ-07 community to create Valentine’s Day cards for first responders. In response, Congressman Kean received over 1,000 handmade Valentines, which were packaged into a dozen envelopes and sent out to first responders across New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District.
“Today was truly special,” said Kean. “I had the opportunity to connect with our local first responders and express just how much our community values their hard work and dedication. The annual Valentines for First Responders program is a meaningful way to bring the community together and give back to those who risk their lives to keep us safe. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the first responders for everything they do, and to everyone who contributed and made Valentines!”
“We appreciate the recognition of our volunteers,” said Eric Pastore, Chief/EMT of Mountainside Rescue Squad. “The volunteers of the Mountainside Rescue Squad are dedicated to provide the best pre-hospital care to the residents and businesses of the Borough of Mountainside and the surrounding communities.”
“This morning, we were honored to have Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. and his wife Rhonda visit the Department,” said Frank Cerasa, Fire Chief at Clark Volunteer Fire Department. “He had announced his annual Valentines for First Responders and that he had them for our members from folks across the 7th Congressional District. The members enjoyed reading and posting the Valentines we received.”
Below are the list of organizations and schools that contributed to the Congressman’s Valentines for First Responders Program:
- Abilities of Northwest Jersey Inc.
- The ARC of Warren County
- The Midland School, North Branch
- Hilltop Elementary School, Mendham Borough
- Mount Prospect School, Basking Ridge
- Branchburg Central Middle School
- Bloomsbury School District
- Readington Middle School
- Warren Township Middle School
- Sisters of Christian Charity, Mendham
- As well as many other individuals and families in the Seventh Congressional District who mailed, delivered or submitted online Valentine greetings
