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QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
October to December 2022
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NEXT MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Bi-monthly Meeting & Make-n-take Workshop
Wednesday, March 8, 6:30 pm
Join CU Maurice River for a business update at the Cumberland County Improvement Authority’s office building in Deerfield. Then participate in a Make-n-Take Stewardship Workshop where participants will build a shelter to support the native bumble bee community in their backyards. This activity will be prepared and led by CU Staff, who invite you to transform your backyard habitats into bee-havens. Stay for either the bi-monthly meeting or workshop or both. Registration for the Make-n-Take workshop and pre-payment ($10) for materials is required.
There will be a precursory educational presentation to the above-mentioned workshop on Wednesday, March 1st at 5:00 pm (more information below). It will be given by Xerces Society’s Pollinator Conservation Specialist Kass Urban-Mead. Her presentation is titled Bumble Bee Biology and Conservation.
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CHILI BOWL – GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
Saturday, March 4th, 2023
The Annual Chili Bowl and auction fun-raiser is on! The event has a new location. It will take place at St. Anthony’s Community Center (310 West Wheat Road, Vineland). Over the winter months, the CU Events Committee has been preparing auction items and organizing the details of the dinner. Join us for a night of feasting, fellowship, and fun.
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Let us know if you plan on coming before the event is a SELLOUT!
Once tickets start selling, they go quickly. And they are starting to move...
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AUCTION ITEMS ARE NEEDED!
Call the office to coordinate drop-off.
(856) 300-5331
If you would like to donate a chili and form part of the kitchen team, call the CU Maurice River office or email info@CUMauriceRiver.org. To help in the planning of the auction, email Jane at ForRivers@comcast.net. Also, the Committee is accepting lightly-used donations until February 10th. Call the office if you have items for the auction. (856) 300-5331.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Summary of Annual Membership Meeting
November 9th, 2022
The Annual Meeting is one of CU Maurice River’s avenues for thanking our members for their contributions to and participation in local conservation efforts. This meeting was held on November 9th, 2022. There CU Staff informed the membership of the year’s accomplishments and presented on the decisions that went into planning for the upcoming 12 months. In summary, volunteer ambassadors and staff hosted information booths at a variety of community events where they had a chance to interface with well over 10,000 community members. In 2022, 92 new members joined CU’s ranks. CU members and friends showed up 4,020 times to take advantage of outdoor awareness opportunities. Meanwhile, 230 volunteers dedicated 9,447 hours to environmental conservation and education. After the business portion was covered, CU President Jane Galetto recognized volunteers presenting them with awards for their service.
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100+ Hours of Service
PRESIDENTIAL AWARD WINNERS:
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Jane Galetto
Allen Jackson
Leslie Ficcaglia
Cindi Berry
Tony Klock
Carl Homan
Kathy Geiger
Wendy Walker
Jim Priest
Paul Kerlinger
Sue Fenili
Peter Galetto
Tom McKee
Jan Dwyer LoBiondo
Suzanne Olah
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Volunteers with 40+ Hours of Service:
Peter Manzelmann
Suzy Merighi
Cheryl Howell
Ethan Aronoff
Clay Sutton
Jody Carrara
Mary Ann Russell
Dave Fenili
Scott Fenili
Sandy Taylor
Mike Golla
Mary Steinacker
Mary Watkins
Gail Hammell
Dorothy Dayton
Trudy Pomerantz
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CU Staff extends a heartfelt thank-you to each volunteer
who dedicated time to conservation in 2022.
No matter if one hour or one thousand+ hours, every drop matters!
Your combined efforts are making all the difference in further continuing
the protection of the Wild and Scenic Maurice River's natural and cultural resources.
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As a small token of our gratitude, volunteers were gifted copies of one of two books:
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On February 23rd, CU Ambassador and librarian Suzy Merighi will be leading a Book Circle on this title. As the gardening season approaches, this book will affirm the urgent need for eco-friendly backyard stewardship. Register today here. | |
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A Book Circle Discussion will be led by Suzy Merighi in September on a new book about Mary Treat. Then join CU and the author - Deb Ein - at the Mauricetown outdoor artist day for not only a presentation and book signing but also a panel on historic naturalists of "Down Jersey."
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Summary of Annual Membership Meeting
Continued...
At the Annual Meeting, trustee classes are reelected and new board members are elected. Here is the current 2023 list of CU Maurice River’s Trustees by their office and class:
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TRUSTEE OFFICERS:
Jane Morton Galetto - President
Suzanne Olah - Treasurer
Sue Fenili - Corresponding Secretary
Sandy Taylor - Recording Secretary
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CU Maurice River Board President. Jane Morton Galetto. Working to promote the conservation of the Maurice River and its outstanding natural resources for four decades. | |
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Term Ending 2023
Jody Carrara
Mary Steinacker
Tom Talalaj
Gary Moellers
Dennis Palmer
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Term Ending 2024
Jane Morton Galetto
Sue Fenili
Tony Klock
Mary Ann Russell
Kristen Meistrell
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Term Ending 2025
Suzanne Olah
Ethan Aronoff
Vicky Tomlin
Sandy Taylor
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Cumberland County Eagle Festival - Is back!
Tomorrow - February 4th
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For the last two years, CU Maurice River has been working with Cumberland County to offer a virtual version of the Eagle Festival. This was done to conform to the public safety measures caused by the pandemic.
We are happy that Eagle Fest 2023 is back to its traditional format. Activities will be headquartered at the Mauricetown Fire Hall, where various conservation organizations will host informational booths and children’s activities while the speaker series is underway in the hall. Stop in at the nature-based business booths to view their products and purchase any that catch your eye.
Meanwhile, viewing stations and nature walks will be led along the County’s Bayshore. For more information, please see the event flyer. To volunteer email CitizensUnited@CUMauriceRiver.org.
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WILD ABOUT CUMBERLAND – IS BACK TOO!
March 28th, 29th, and 30th
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After a three-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, Wild About Cumberland is back in a big way. Eleven schools have registered, and approximately 600 Cumberland County fourth-graders are expected to descend on the Delaware Bayshore over three days. This outdoor experiential learning program is hosted at PSEG’s Berrytown Road Restoration site and the Bayshore Center at Bivalve. The children are treated to an interpreted nature walk, a workshop circuit at the Bayshore Center, and a live bird show led by Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge.
Volunteers, we need your help in order to make this field trip happen. If you would like to participate as a leader, co-leader, workstation coordinator, or an extra pair of hands, please email CU’s Environmental Education Outdoor Coordinator Kimberly Spiegel at K.Spiegel@CUMauriceRiver.org.
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Thank you ChemGlass for your sponsorship of Wild About Cumberland! | |
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The outdoor education day is funded by the National Park Service’s Wild and Scenic Program, Cumberland County, and the CU Maurice River membership.
CU Maurice River is thankful for business sponsors who contribute to the realization of this important outdoor learning day. For the current year, Chemglass Life Sciences came on board to share their appreciation of Down Jersey’s wild spaces with the next generation of stewards.
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PAST FUN'RAISING
HOLIDAY MATCH
November - December
CU President Jane Galetto’s emails offered zany humor, love for Down Jersey, and holiday spirit throughout December. As always on these fundraisers her goal was threefold: 1. educate on Down Jersey’s natural resources, 2. raise money in support of CUMR’s conservation mission, and 3. have fun doin’ it. Once again, this year an anonymous donor decided to test Jane by dangling a dollar-for-dollar match in front of her. On top of that match, the donor also offered to match an extra 6K for gifts from new donors or for increases in the dollars a particular giver provided. Wow, did the CU community ever rise to the challenge! Collectively, your donations surpassed the match and the extra incentive. You donated $32,900! In total, 72K+ was raised. CU Staff and Board would like to extend a thank-you to everyone who helped make the Holiday Match 2022 such a success.
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FIRST QUARTER PROGRAMMING - 2023
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To view all scheduled events and locations for 2023,
please visit CUMauriceRiver.org/about/events.
CU Staff sends all members a quarterly mailer with a short description of each offering.
Become a member today by calling the office (856) 300-5331
or visiting CUMauriceRiver.org/join-renew-donated.
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The picture above was taken by CU Trustee and Naturalist Tony Klock. | |
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JANUARY
Wed. 11, 6:30 p.m. Bi-Monthly Meeting
Make-n-Take Workshop: A look at CUMR’s 2023 Calendar of Events, followed by a presentation on responsible backyard bird feeding and a stewardship workshop where you will make suet to take home.
Thurs. 26, 5:30 p.m. CU Ambassador Training
Outdoor educators and interested volunteers enjoy an evening of socializing, crafting, and participating in the same outdoor learning activities CUMR plans to offer at upcoming community festivals.
Sat. 28, 8:30 a.m. CU Saturday
Eagle Trail Walk: CUMR’s Team of Naturalists leads this walk-in celebration of the Eagle Project’s success along Delaware Bay.
FEBRUARY
Sat. 11, 1:00 p.m. Volunteer Workgroup
Clean-up: Help remove litter and debris from Sharp Street Park. Sign up.
Thurs. 16, 6:30 p.m. CU Social
Lenape Origins: Ty Gould of Native Advancement will present the history of the Wahatquenak Watershed’s original stewards. Sign up.
Sat. 18, 8:30 a.m. CU Saturday
The Duck Waddle: CU Naturalists Mary Watkins and Tony Klock take us to hotspots for winter waterfowl viewing in the Maurice River Watershed. Sign up.
Wed. 22, 5:30 p.m. New Member Orientation
You can learn more about how you can get involved in local conservation. Sign up.
Thurs. 23, 10:00 a.m. Book Circle
The Insect Crisis: Led by Suzy Merighi, Jane Galetto, and Sunnie Banks. Sign up.
Sat. Feb. 25, 10:00 a.m. Plant Germination Session
Volunteer to raise plants for public wildlife gardens. CU’s Kimberly Spiegel will lead this educational session on plant reproduction and germination. Sign up.
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MARCH
Wed. 1, 5:00 p.m. Two-Part Stewardship Program
Native Bumble Bees Part I: Kass Urban-Mead of the Xerces Society presents native bumble bees, their threats, and how you can lift their declining numbers. Sign up. Then participate in Part II, the Make-n-Take workshop on Wed., March 8th (see below).
Tues. 7, 9:00 a.m. Tuesday on the Fly
Tarkiln Bog Trail: Peter Manzelmann leads a walk along Belleplain State Park’s nature trail that skirts a former cranberry bog operation. Sign up.
Wed. 8, 6:30 p.m. Bi-Monthly Meeting
Make-n-Take Workshop Part II: Join CU for an update. Then participate in a conservation workshop in support of native bee species in your yard. Sign up.
Sat. 11, 9:00 a.m. Volunteer Work Group
Spring Clean-up: Volunteer to prepare the gardens for visitors in spring. Tasks include picking up trash, needed infrastructure work, and installation of further educational activities. Sign up.
Sun. 12, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Lines on the Pines
Help lead craft and science-based activities for festival-goers.
Sat. 18, 9:00 a.m. CU Saturday
Drumming Woodpeckers: Join us in the wild to explore the world of the ultimate suite of backyard birds, the woodpeckers. Sign up.
Wed. 22, 5:30 p.m. Stewardship Workshop
This workshop will walk interested homeowners through the process of CU Maurice River’s Property Stewardship Certification Program. Sign up.
Sat. 25, 9:00 a.m. Trash Hunt
Join us in Vineland to rid a natural area of litter and other debris. Sign up.
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PAST PROGRAMMING - FOURTH QUARTER 2022
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OCTOBER
Sat. 1, Festival of Fine Craft
Help CUMR connect more people to its mission
and lead outdoor education activities by volunteering at our booth.
Tues. 4, 9:00 a.m. Tuesday on the Fly
Explore Palmyra Nature Cove Park with Joe Moore
Thurs. 6, 9:00 a.m. Garden Experience
Join Kimberly in the gardens for a final clean-up.
Sat. 8, 8:00 a.m. CU Saturday-
CU Naturalist Bert Hixon takes us to Cape May Point State Park to witness the Southbound Migration and other autumnal treats.
Thurs. 20, 6:30p.m. CU Social
Before you start raking up the leaves, check out this wildlife gardening presentation –
Leave the Leaves by Pat Sutton.
Fri. 21 & 28, 6:00p.m. Family-Friendly Friday: Jersey Devil Hunt- Russell Juelg gets spooky at this Halloween favorite in the Pinelands. Campfire, s’mores, eerie folklore, original Piney songs, and a night-time hunt for the Jersey Devil in the deep, dark woods…
Fri. 21, 6:00p.m. RRCA Associate Artist Show
featuring works by adult students of the Barn Studio. Join Sunnie as a representative of CUMR.
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Sat. 22, AWESOME! It’s AUTUMN.
9:00 a.m. Waltman Park Walk
2:00 p.m. Fall Foliage Paddle
6:00 p.m. Potluck & Campfire
NOVEMBER
Tues. 1, 9:00 a.m. Tuesday on the Fly
Visit John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia.
Sat. 5, 8:30 a.m. CU Saturday
Hit birding hotspots along the Maurice River’s Raptor and Waterfowl Route with CU Naturalists and World Series of Birding Fish Hawks Jim Blumenstein and Tony Klock.
Sat. 12, 9:00 a.m. Volunteer Workgroup
Make a difference by helping to clean up open spaces.
Sat. 19, 9:00 a.m. CU Saturday- Let’s take a hike! This is CU Maurice River’s last official nature walk of 2022. Who better to close out the year than CU President Jane Morton Galetto?
DECEMBER
No events are held in December to make room
for the planning of the next year’s calendar.
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OUTSTANDING RESOURCE VALUE MANAGEMENT
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Riverfront Property Owner Meeting
Manumuskin River
CU staff met with the homeowners along the Manumuskin (upstream of Rt. 47) to discuss the Phragmites australis infestation. Together we explored solutions and homeowners were brought up-to-date. CUMR plans on submitting a grant proposal for restoration in the spring.
Mayor Ken Whilden gave insight on the negative impacts phragmites can have, while Princeton Hydro's Mark Gallagher highlighted success stories of control projects. Manumuskin neighbor and Ducks Unlimited volunteer, John McMahon shared his experience in conservation and grant applications. The gathering was held at John Bog's hall in Port Elizabeth.
Winter Raptor and Waterfowl Study
Clay Sutton and Dr. Paul Kerlinger continue to work on drafting a report analyzing the vast archive of data that has been collected over the years. Retired ArcGIS specialist Tom McKee assists this effort by producing supporting maps.
Vegetative Change Analysis Mapping
For a second time, a group of volunteers paddled the Manumuskin River with Gerry Moore of the USDA to evaluate the health of the sensitive joint vetch population and determine whether this plant community is migrating. Ret. ArcGIS Specialist Tom McKee created a new map of the stand that shows its move upstream.
Waterway Access Map for the Maurice River
CU Staff is working to create an ArcGIS Story Map that will be online and interactive. It will not only highlight access points, provide tide information, and give descriptions of the paddle trail, but some sections will also have an audio narrative of natural and cultural points of interest.
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OUTREACH, ENGAGEMENT, AND COVERAGE
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Cumberland County Leadership Program
September ’22- June ‘23
CU Executive Director participates in this monthly program where various non-profits, businesses, and governmental facilities are visited and toured. The program aims to develop, promote, and inspire community leadership skills and encourage a deeper understanding and appreciation of Cumberland County.
SNJToday
CU President continues to submit articles to the local newspaper, SNJToday which are published on a weekly basis. These are included in the Feature Section under The Great Outdoors which explores the region’s natural and cultural wonders.
Cumberland County’s Winter Eagle Festival
February 4th – See the Announcements section above
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FORUMS, COALITIONS, ADVOCACY, AND THE LIKE -
Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed’s Forum
In November CU Staff attended the CDRW’s Forum in Philadelphia. Staff chose to attend education, restoration, and planning-themed breakout sessions. Much of the forum is focused on promoting DEIJ and a humanitarian approach to conservation.
Wild and Scenic Partnership Meeting
CU Environmental Education Outreach Coordinator and Executive Director attended the Wild and Scenic Bi-annual Partnership Meeting in Florida.
South Jersey Bayshore Coalition – CUMR continues to coordinate the meetings of SJBC.
Wild and Scenic Coalition - CU Maurice River has been attending the Coalition’s meetings; these have been helpful in connecting our team with available resources as well as updating us on current activity within the program.
Delaware River Watershed Coalition – CUMR continues to participate and contribute to this organization.
NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Advisory Committee Meetings- CU Maurice River continues to hold a seat on this committee.
Delaware Bayshore Council – CU Maurice River has been functioning as the interim SJBC representative on the Bayshore Council.
CU also continues to serve on the Aquaculture Stakeholder Committee for the State and Federal conservation measures that involve the oyster harvest and its impacts on shorebirds. This is specific to the federally endangered red knot and its migration on the Delaware Bayshore.
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EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES | |
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Family-Friendly Fridays
Fri. October 21 & 28, Family-Friendly Friday: Jersey Devil Hunt
This year CU Maurice River's Partner Russell Juelg led this seasonal favorite not once but twice! Each event was filled with 25 participants; children and their adults. The first night, Steve and Nancy Sharp hosted the campfire and the walk took place at The Nature Conservancy’s Manumuskin Preserve. For the second evening, Landis Sewerage Authority opened its doors to CUMR. The event highlights the rich history of storytelling tradition while also introducing participants to the nocturnal life found and heard in the woods.
| THE FIRST HUNT - MANUMUSKIN PRESERVE | |
THE SECOND HUNT - LANDIS SEWERAGE AUTHORITY FARM | |
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WILD ABOUT CUMBERLAND!
March 28th, 29th, and 30th- See the Announcements section above.
Alliance for NJ Environmental Education’s Autumn Conference
CU Education staff have been interfacing with ANJEE and participating in their training and networking opportunities.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF VINELAND
CUMR’s education team has been growing its partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Vineland over the last year. These staff members have been providing guidance on the installation of a pollinator garden at the group’s facility in downtown Vineland. CUMR plans on assisting with planting in the spring of ’23 as well as providing guidance to help the project along.
Cumberland County Tec High School
CUMR has been developing a work plan for a major rain and pollinator garden system as well as a reforesting initiative on the school’s campus. This offering will be completed with an experiential education curriculum.
Nature Journaling Summer Camp
CU Education Staff met with WheatonArts to debrief on the summer nature journaling camp in order to improve upon the program and add more outdoor experiences for the students.
OPERATIONS AND OFFICE SUPPORT
STAFF ACTIVITY REPORT:
Personnel - During the last quarter of 2023, annual staff evaluations were completed. In addition, the Personnel Committee and Executive Director finalized a job description for a full-time administrative assistant to assume the front office responsibilities that Doreen, CU’s retired Office Manager, provided.
CALENDAR – Programming staff concluded the planning of the 2023 calendar and uploaded all the information to CUMR’s online platforms, while also developing social media marketing campaigns.
ADMINISTRATIVE WORK
National Park Service - Administrative reporting to the National Park Service is an aspect of our functioning beyond the actual carrying-out of the contracted deliverables. CU continues to meet reporting requirements as it waits to be put on the semi-annual reporting schedule from which other partnership rivers benefit. Staff continues to work with NPS River Manager to implement new reporting procedures.
Office
Administrative staff works to maintain an efficient, welcoming, and safe workspace for the whole CU team. They also manage organizational documentation, supply inventory, service contracting, and purchasing.
Volunteer, Participation, and Financial Tracking - The programming and administrative staff continue to track many aspects of CUMR activities, including but not limited to NPS billing, volunteer hours, participation/attendance, volunteer recruitment, bookkeeping, corporate support, birth, deaths, illnesses - all the details that make CU a community.
Social Media – CU Maurice River’s Facebook page is more active than ever. You can view videos, see pictures from outings, read volunteer stories, and much more. By following CUMR and liking our posts, you not only stay better connected but also help us get more information out to more people in the community.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES
National Park Service - Administrative reporting to the National Park Service is an aspect of our functioning beyond the actual carrying-out of the contracted deliverables. Financial and Programming Performance Reports will now be submitted semi-annually. Staff worked with NPS to implement new reporting procedures.
Fundraisers - The Administrative staff completes many of the background tasks associated with fundraising. These include generating reports, processing payments, providing tax letters, answering inquiries, orchestrating thank yous, among other tasks.
Membership, Volunteer, Participation, and Financial Tracking - The programming and administrative staff continue to track many aspects of CUMR activities, including but not limited to NPS billing, volunteer hours, participation/attendance, volunteer recruitment, bookkeeping, membership donations, corporate support, birth, deaths, illnesses - all the details that make us a community.
MEMBERSHIP
Address Changes –
Please keep us posted about any changes in your email or mailing address. Our communications contain a helpful stream of reminders and updates that you won’t want to miss.
Membership and Renewals –
Help us by ensuring that your membership is up to date and/or invite a friend to join! Membership is set at $20 for individuals and $30 for families, although our average annual donation is approximately $75. Mail your check to PO Box 474, Millville, NJ 08332, or join online at www.cumauriceriver.org.
If you are interested in learning more about the monthly giving program,
reach out to CitizensUnited@CUMauriceRiver.org, or (856) 300-5331.
A special thanks to all those who give the important gift of your time.
We couldn’t do this without you!
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