WO Chamber to hold annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon

Bill Keegan

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Chamber of Commerce invites the community to attend the annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 21, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Mayfair Farms, 481 Eagle Rock Ave. in West Orange.

“You don’t want to miss the only event of the year that brings together the four largest service organizations in West Orange for an inspirational celebration of the town’s community spirit and prosperity,” West Orange Chamber Executive Director Jessica Marrone-Parkes said in a press release. “This event is hosted by the WOCC in association with UNICO, Lions Club and Rotary. It’s a celebratory event to give thanks for the year-round opportunities that living and working in West Orange provides. It will also be an amazing time to network with influencers from the township and county.”

The 2018 guest speaker will be Bill Keegan, the founder of HEART 9/11. Keegan retired from the Port Authority Police Department in 2005 and founded HEART 9/11 — with HEART standing for Healing Emergency Aid Response Team — in 2007. It is a nonprofit disaster-response organization comprised of police, fire, union construction workers and 9/11 surviving families that bonded in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001. The organization honors the sacrifices of those who lost their lives, to continue to utilize their experience and training in service to others, and to provide disaster relief and humanitarian aid to individuals and communities in need.

There will be door prizes, a 50/50 raffle and a food drive to benefit Holy Trinity Food Pantry. Guests are asked to bring non-perishable foods for this townwide drive. Monetary proceeds raised from the raffle will be donated to HEART 9/11. Advance tickets are on sale now. Register in advance at http://www.westorangechamber.com/events/details/2018-community-thanksgiving-luncheon-304. Sponsorship opportunities, including tables, are available by contacting Jessica Marrone-Parkes at mail@westorangechamber.com.