Summer Season of Service
This summer has been a fun-filled, productive and rewarding adventure at the New Jersey Department of Transportation. This edition will highlight NJDOT’s Commitment to Communities that extends beyond building roads and bridges, but builds trust and goodwill with our neighbors.
These past few months, our Department has been focusing on enhancing the quality of life for NJ residents and making efforts to positively affect the lives of those around us.
Last month, we partnered with the Every Child Valued organization that visited our headquarters on July 26th for a day of learning and exploration. Grade school children joined me and my NJDOT colleagues to learn about bridges, transportation equipment, road signs and environmentalism. We hosted an experiential program, which involved an engaging Q&A, building gum drop bridges and ice cream aquifers, and then—of course— the students eating the fruits of their labor.
Additionally, the NJDOT kicked off our first “Summer Season of Service” with a food drive. Employees spent the month of July collecting non-perishable food items to contribute. At the end of the month, we collected more than 611 items and donated them to Arm In Arm, a nonprofit organization that assists thousands of struggling families each year in Mercer County.
As many of you may know, I have a love of furry friends. NJDOT also included animals in need to our Commitment to Communities mission this summer with a well-received “Pet Drive”. We collected 787 donated items and delivered them to SAVE Animal Shelter in Princeton.
Two weeks ago, we had the opportunity to lend a helping hand and assist the city of Newark and the Newark Office of Emergency Management by delivering over 48,000 bottles of water to local residents effected by elevated lead levels in their water supply.
Altogether, NJDOT staff helped make the summer memorable for so many people across the state, all while fulfilling the Commitment to Communities mission. As we prepare to move into the back-to-school season, we are also keeping in mind those families who might not be able to afford new backpacks or school supplies. Right now, NJDOT is participating in our “Back-to-School Drive”. Our staff is collecting everything from backpacks to pencils to help children in need (grades K-12) get ready for the school year.
I wish you all a happy and healthy end to the summer and a renewed dedication to the season of service ahead.