Foundation recognizes Camden leaders for contributions to the city
CAMDEN -- The Campbell Soup Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Campbell Soup Company, recognized four community leaders and a local non-profit organization for their contributions to the city of Camden on Jan. 11, at the Foundation's Annual Networking Breakfast at the Campbell Soup Company Headquarters in Camden. The Foundation's Community Awards pays tribute to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to improving the lives of Camden residents.
Kim Fortunato, President, Campbell Soup Foundation and Director, Community Affairs, and Wendy Milanese, Community Affairs Specialist, hosted the award ceremony and presented a plaque and a $1,000 check to each of the recipients.
Shelia Roberts, of the Cooper Lanning Civic Association, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors a person who has spent nearly a lifetime of energy working to better the lives of residents in the Camden community. These individuals battle hurdle after hurdle trying to serve the local community, and for many, it has been a life's work. Roberts epitomizes Lifetime Achievement. She has tirelessly advocated for her Cooper Lanning community, its families and children. A long-time urban gardener who is passionate about growing local, healthy food with her family and neighbors, Sheila started the Cooper Sprouts Garden, housing dozens of raised vegetable beds, fruit trees and Camden's renowned "Tree of Hope." Speaking of trees, Roberts is among the initial advocates responsible for bringing the N.J. Tree Foundation to Camden. Because of her efforts, over 6,000 trees line Camden's streets today -- all planted by residents and many by Campbell employees. Her spirit, passion and perseverance shine through in all of her efforts.
Benigno (Pino) Rodriguez, of Camden Lutheran Housing, received the Hometown Hero Award, which is given to recognize and encourage those who have dedicated themselves to making Camden a better place to live and work. These individuals work tirelessly to create hope for those they serve; they are Camden's unsung heroes, going "above and beyond" on a daily basis. Rodriguez, through his fight for the well-being of his own family, became a passionate and proud leader of Camden. His obsession for the pursuit of a better neighborhood is contagious impacting over 300 homes in a positive manner, including the reduction of crime. The transformation of the distressed Camden neighborhoods from what is described as blight to bright, is remarkable. His program is widely embraced by his neighbors, and his partnership with Camden Lutheran Housing to bring the Block Support Initiative to North Camden has installed a sense of pride and accountability throughout.
Ana Ramos, of the Food Trust, received the Healthy Communities Partner Award, which recognizes leadership and a willingness to work collectively to create positive social change in support of a common goal. Ramos leads the Healthy Corner Store Initiative Statewide in New Jersey and has been its tireless advocate and leader in Camden. To date, under her leadership, 53 of the approximate 135 corner stores are enrolled in the initiative -- almost 40 percent of Camden's corner stores. Seventy-two percent of store owners surveyed report an increase in sales of their healthy products. She is helping reshape the Camden food system, increasing healthy products, store revenues and demand.
Teresa Niedda, of the Center for Environmental Transformation, received the Volunteer Partner Award, which is given to an organization who provides innovative service projects through small or large-scale activities that address a significant problem in the community, organizational leadership in the crafting of the volunteer project, and opportunities to leverage skills-based volunteers to advance the organizational mission. The Center for Environmental Transformation provided a large, multi-day opportunity for employees to create a large garden area for Camden students and residents. This task resulted in the building of 66 raised garden beds and a new outdoor classroom which also serves as space to host service learning retreats for university students and volunteers. The extra produce grown in the garden supports three Camden schools, the Food Bank of South Jersey, Cathedral Kitchen and future corner stores. The garden also support this organization's weekly youth-run Farmers Market five months each year and onsite cooking classes with Camden youth.
Founded in 1869, Campbell Soup has a heritage of giving back and acting as a good steward of the planet's natural resources. The company is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. For more information, visit www.campbellsoupcompany.com.
This item submitted by Samantha Byes, Bellevue Communications Group, for Campbell Soup Foundation.