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No. 20 Vol. 12
My Life Publications • 973-809-4784 December 2023
800-939-JUNK
Livingston First Responders Celebrate the Holiday with Community Residents
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By Steve Sears 2-year Livingston police officer and member of the Community Policing Unit, Joy Klapal, says it best when it comes to all first responders, but especially the Livingston Police Department. Klapal said, “We are very involved with the community - not just during the holidays, but all year long. This is the community that we have sworn to protect and serve, and we take that very seriously. We have partnerships with many different organizations within the township, and we have projects that touch everyone from children through senior citizens. It makes our officers feel good to do things to benefit the community, so it is a win-win situation for everyone.” And the Livingston police and fire departments, and the township first aid squad, all pitch in to ensure residents have a joyous holiday season. Chris Mullin, who serves as Chief and Fire Official of the Livingston Fire Department, said, “Our members are involved in the Camuso Holiday Display at the Oval each year. Our members along with other committee members are actively involved in the set-up, attendance during hours of operation, and teardown of the display each year.” During the opening night Camuso Holiday Display ceremonies, the
fire department delivers Santa Claus to the display on a firetruck with lights and sirens activated to a crowd of cheering children. The Livingston Fire Department also hosts a night at the display in which local children decorate Christmas ornaments and drink hot chocolate while listening to Christmas music. Tom Cooney, who serves fire department President, is known as the “Chief Elf” as he directs all Camuso Display operations and directs his “Elfs” as needed. The volunteer firefighters on this committee use their own vehicles and occasionally a department pick-up truck to transport items to the site for set-up and for picking up items as needed from Home Depot and Costco. Mullin added, “Members also take part in many Halloween Trick-or-Treat events at the schools and township sponsored events, showing up on a firetruck and handing out candy to all the little trick-or-treaters.” The Livingston First Aid Squad, who are busy covering weeknights from 7:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, in addition to taking other calls if needed on the weekends or weekdays, hosts a craft night and Santa visit at the Camuso Holiday Display. “In past years, we have participated in Thanksgiving food drives, distributed gifts from the police department to attendees
The Livingston Police Department toy drive at the Cooper Barnabas Medical Center. Photos credit the Livingston Police Department.
at the Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities holiday party, given out hot chocolate at the Camuso Holiday Display with the Livingston Municipal Alliance Committee, participated in “Shop with an Unstoppable Hero”, and handed out ribbons for Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s Tie One on for Safety campaign,” Klapal said of police department holiday activities. “However,
our biggest undertaking every holiday season is our toy drive. We collect toys that we bring to the children’s department at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, and also donate to Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors. This has been an annual event for many years, and will continue this year as well.”