The 16th annual Department of Public Works’ RAKES (Random Acts of Kindness Extended to Seniors) Program, with over 70 volunteers, cleaned and bagged the leaves of 36 senior citizens’ properties over the holiday weekend.
“I would like to thank Coach Helm, Mr. Piro and the Nutley Raiders football team, the Cub Scouts, the International Club, the Pramagoulis family, and all our other volunteers for once again giving back their time to help out our seniors in raking and bagging their leaves. Most of these groups have been with us from the beginning of this successful community spirit program,” Commissioner Joseph P. Scarpelli said.
The program is a holiday tradition that takes place the weekend following Thanksgiving every year.
“The spirit and volunteers of the RAKES program are what the holidays are all about,” Scarpelli said. “We are proud and honored to be able to help our community every year.”
Learn more about the writer ...
Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, an organization he has served since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on social media channels such as YouTube, Facebook, and X, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to Kearny to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.