News & Stories
Working Together to Provide Holiday Joy to Camden Residents
Posing with donation bags for families, from left: Brian Bauerle, Director of Community Development, Cooper Foundation; Lexie Norcross, Trustee, Norcross Foundation; Susan Bass Levin, President and CEO, Cooper Foundation; Dr. Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams, Associate Dean for Multicultural and Community Affairs, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University; Dr. Michael Goldberg, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.
Through a partnership between Cooper University Hospital, the Cooper Foundation, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, and the Norcross Foundation, Camden families in need were provided with meals during this holiday season.
Over 200 turkeys, along with groceries, books, and toys were distributed to families in Cooper Plaza and Lanning Square and other Camden community organizations. Within the Cooper Plaza and Lanning Square neighborhoods, items were distributed in partnership with the Cooper Lanning Civic Association and Lanning Square West Residents in Action. The Boys & Girls Club of Camden County, Cathedral Kitchen, New Mickle Baptist Church, Volunteers of America Delaware Valley, St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral, Bright Memorial Disciples of Christ Holy Church and Lutheran Social Ministries received turkeys and groceries to provide meals to Camden families during the holiday season.
Spearheading this initiative was The Cooper Foundation’s President and CEO Susan Bass Levin, the Norcross Foundation’s Trustee Lexie Norcross, and Cooper Medical School of Rowan University’s Associate Dean for Multicultural and Community Affairs, Dr. Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams, among other volunteers.
“Cooper has been a part of the community of Camden for the past 125 years. I am extremely grateful that the spirit of giving during this holiday season is alive and well here at Cooper University Hospital community and in Camden,” said Susan Bass Levin, President and CEO of The Cooper Foundation.
As part of the initiative, The Cooper Foundation, Norcross Foundation, and Cooper Medical School of Rowan University met with residents of the Lanning Square neighborhood on December 21st at the Bright Memorial Disciples of Christ Holy Church. This was an opportunity to meet with our neighbors and provide turkeys with all the “fixings” for a holiday meal along with holiday books for the children.
“As a member of the Camden community, the Norcross Foundation is proud to be a part of this charitable event and provide families with a meal to put on the table this holiday season,” said Lexie Norcross, Trustee of the Norcross Foundation.
“As one of the newest neighbors in the Camden community, the medical school is thrilled to participate in outreach efforts that help meet the needs of the city’s residents. In these hard economic times, it is heart-warming to know that organizations can come together and offer a lending hand to so many families. We are committed to being an active member of the community and look forward to additional collaborative efforts in the new year.” said Dr. Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams, Associate Dean for Multicultural and Community Affairs at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.