SEAVILLE – Cricket Denton, a lifelong resident of Seaville and an ardent community leader, announced her candidacy for Upper Township Committee.
Denton is no stranger to public service, having been raised by Cherie Denton, an Upper Township school teacher and single mother. She said she was taught the importance of philanthropy at an early age.
At 2 years old, she was participating in fundraisers by the Country Shore Women’s Club, raising money for local scholarships and community charities. Denton has continued this trend, still an active member of the Country Shore Women’s Club, but also expanding her outreach in Upper Township, as well as the surrounding counties.
In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, Denton acted as a host site coordinator for A Future With Hope and the volunteer coordinator for Cape May County’s Long-Term Recovery Group connecting those in need with volunteers who would help restore their homes.
Denton helped to facilitate over 16,000 volunteer hours in an effort to restore a sense of normalcy to those who had lost so much. As a result of her work with Sandy relief and recovery, she was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Upper Township Noon Rotary Club, and she was also introduced to Prince Harry by Gov. Chris Christie as one of “New Jersey’s Heroes.”
Denton’s most recent endeavor was leading a group dubbed the Vaccine Angels to ensure that the most vulnerable people in the community were able to get appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine. Denton said she has helped secure over 1,000 vaccine appointments for those in need.
After attaining a bachelor’s degree in communication, Denton earned two master’s degrees, including a masters in divinity from Drew University, and currently serves as the associate pastor of Seaville United Methodist Church.
She also serves as the director of The Splash Pad, an eco-retreat center that helps people connect their faith to environmental sustainability.
When not serving the public in some capacity, Denton enjoys singing and directing children’s musicals. She studied music at Westminster Choir College and has performed with the Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.
Cricket lives with her partner, Eric, and daughters Charlie Mae, 9, and Brighton, 6. She said she hopes to lead her community into a future filled with hope and renewal.
Editor’s note: The Denton campaign provided the information for this story.
