First since 2019 with businesses, giveaways Thurday at Upper Township Elementary
MARMORA — “We call it Community Night because we want the community to come out, see the organizations in the community, see the businesses,” Blanche Adams said of the event coming up Thursday.
The Upper Township Business Association will host the event from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 17 at Upper Township Elementary School.
Adams said it would be the organization’s ninth Community Night and first since 2019, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted it for a couple of years.
“We’re happy to be back because we haven’t been here for a couple of years,” Adams said. “Now that the school has opened up, allowed us to be back in, we decided it would be a great night to bring the Community Night back because it has been popular with folks in Upper Township.”
Adams said the free event offers the community an opportunity to find out about different businesses and civic groups in the township and meet their owners and board members.
Adams said after she had joined the board in 2012, they were brainstorming ways to support the business community and thought of holding a networking event that involved the public as well as the merchants.
She said she had some experience working with Welcome Night in Ocean City and modeled the event on the island’s.
“It’s grown since then,” Adams said. “The community seems to embrace it; a lot of people look forward to it every year.”
Participants can expect to receive a recyclable bag to collect gifts and giveaways from about 50 businesses and groups, a copy of the Upper Township Community Guide produced by the Upper Township Sentinel and a raffle ticket to win one of two bicycles donated by Tuckahoe Bike Shop.
Adams said there would be activities to keep children occupied while their parents walk around and check out the different displays.
Santa Claus will be in the house, posing for photos, listening to wish lists and offering children a gift.
In addition, Tuckahoe resident Robin McCauley, who started Project Love Cards in 2009 and has collected and shipped nearly 20,000 care packages and more than 60,000 cards to military members spending the holidays away from family and friends will be there.
Families will have an opportunity write a card wishing happy holidays to a U.S. service member stationed overseas.
“We are very happy that she agreed to participate and thrilled to have her there,” Adams said, noting it’s another activity for children.
Adams said participants are encouraged to offer samples, coupons and special deals and the UTBA is urging the community to “come out, have a good time and meet and greet other civic associations and businesses.”
She said the UTBA considers the event the launch of its shop local campaign as Black Friday and Small Business Saturday near.
Jack Griffin, co-owner of interior design firm Dompierre, will serve as emcee, announcing specials and door prize winners throughout the evening.
“It’s just a great night for everyone,” Adams said, noting Township Committee members have been invited. “We’re always so thrilled at the end of the night to have seen all of the great business and civic groups that come.”
She said the UTBA could not hold the event without the help of others, noting the group has formed partnerships with the Upper Township School District and Township Committee.
“We are grateful for those partnerships,” Adams said. “We’re all working together to do something good for the community.”
Committeewoman Kim Hayes said she is happy to see the event return, characterizing is as “a great night for new township residents to get acquainted with what Upper has to offer.”
“Blanche Adams does such a fantastic job,” she said. “It’s such a great way to promote our local businesses.”
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff