Lions Club to honor 3 as ‘Citizens of the Year’

by Julie Fink, Gazette Staff Writer

HAMMONTON—The Hammonton Lions Club will honor three at its 19th annual Citizen of the Year awards dinner on April 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Frog Rock Country Club in Hammonton.
Residents George Campanella, Anthony Jacobs and David Scardino have been named the Hammonton Lions Club 2008 Citizens of the Year.
According to Citizen of the Year Chairperson Mary Gillespie, all three men were nominated and selected based on their many activities benefiting Hammonton through their work with the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society, the Sons of Italy and the Hammonton Italian Heritage Club.
“These are all men of few words. They do so much for the community, quietly. They are wonderful family men and they underline the model of the Lions Club – we serve,” Gillespie said.
Campanella has served as the Mount Carmel Society president for 21 years, a member for 35 years. He is also a charter member of the Hammonton Italian Heritage Club, co-sponsored by the society.
“It is an honor to be recognized in this fashion. It was never expected. I have a devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It is an honor to be a member and be able to help people of the town. The whole society does a lot for the town, we never look for a pat on the back. We just do what we have to do to help whoever needs help,” Campanella said.
Jacobs has been involved with the Mount Carmel Society for 45 years and he has been a Rotary Club member for 20 years.
He has played a key role in organizing the Italian Heritage Club and is a member of the Historical Society of Hammonton and serves on its board of directors.
“It is an honor to receive this recognition. I just didn’t think I ranked in the caliber of individuals who have received this in the past,” he said
Jacobs becomes involved because he is interested in his culture and getting involved in charitable organizations.
“I feel great about whatever we can do to help people. I love seeing the good being done,” he continued.
Scardino has held the position of president of the Sons of Italy Giuseppe Garibaldi Lodge 1658 for the past four years. He has served as a trustee for six years and as a convention delegate for 23. He has been a member of the organization for a total of 27 years.
Scardino’s lodge hosts the local Columbus Day celebration, and he is active in several southern New Jersey sports groups.
“I have mixed thoughts about being selected. I am excited, but I haven’t done it alone. I have done everything while surrounded by good people. You have to if you are going to be successful. I have surrounded myself with good people and they are who have helped me get things done,” Scardino said.
Every year, the three men work together to promote the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel that raises funds for all three of Hammonton’s Catholic churches, Gillespie said.
“Their team efforts have benefited the town’s local police and rescue squad, sports groups, both school systems and needy families. They also supported a program to send supplies to the local National Guard unit’s members when they were deployed to Iraq,” Gillespie said.
All three were instrumental in organizing the twinning of Hammonton and San Gregori da la Sassola, Italy, having journeyed to Italy several times to pave the way for the arrangement and to strengthen the ties between the two towns, according to Gillespie.
“I am very excited about the twinning of the cities happening in August,” Scardino said.
According to Scardino, a few of the men are traveling to Italy in April to collect the hand-crafted mosaic that symbolizes the strong connection of the two cities.
The mosaic will show the cities’ two flags, the two countries and contain the saying “separated by seas, together forever,” he continued.
Tickets for the 2008 Citizen of the Year dinner are $35 per person and can be obtained by calling Gillespie at 561-8585 or Arthur Orsi at 561-2343 or any Hammonton Lions Club member. Tickets will also be available at the Cornucopian and Antiques on the Bellevue.
Last year’s honoree was Cornucopian owner and Gazette columnist Grayce Pitera.