Two from Cherry Hill, one from Voorhees getting Camden County Freedom Medals for community work.

Two Cherry Hill residents and one Voorhees resident are among the 13 people who will be recognized for their contributions to the community with 2025 Camden County Freedom Medal awards next Wednesday.

The Freedom Medal was established 24 years ago to recognize those who "exemplify the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," according to the county. Camden County residents have received the award for making "a significant, tangible improvement benefitting the people of the community" as unpaid volunteers, the county stated.

"The individuals selected for this prestigious award display true commitment to making the world a better place through actions such as community service, teaching, and more," county Commissioner Jonathan Young said in a statement. "It warms my heart to know that we have so many incredible, selfless people who call Camden County home and who are dedicated to serving their communities," added Young, a Berlin resident who will be recognized with the 2025 Camden County MLK Congressional Medal at next week's ceremonies.

The Cherry Hill winners include Sangeeta Doshi, who emigrated from India to the United States with her family when she was 2 years old.

Doshi, who has lived in Cherry Hill since 1996, has served on the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment in Cherry Hill.

She led "efforts for Cherry Hill's first dog park, solar-powered bus shelter and NJ Transit's first electric bus in Camden. She is an active member of the Indian Cultural Center and Indian Temple Association," according to a Camden County description of her accomplishments. 

Andrew Passalacqua, also of Cherry Hill and a student at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, will be honored for his "Crayons to Courts" service project. His mother is a judge and, after observing anxious young children in the courtroom, Passalacqua raised nearly $3,000 to buy more than 6,000 crayon packets, 3,000 coloring books and 2,000 activity books for the program at the Camden County Courthouse, according to the county's description of his accomplishments.

He plans to expand the Crayons to Courts program into a nonprofit serving children throughout New Jersey.

Voorhees resident and lawyer Lisa Evans Lewis will be honored for her work in the legal system including serving as a Camden County Bar Association trustee and committee member of the Camden County Bar Foundation, developing a program that taught middle school students in Lawnside our legal systems, according to the county's description of her accomplishments. 

Lewis "continued her community impact by serving as the board chair of After School All Stars Philadelphia Camden, where she worked with other community leaders and educators to enhance educational and enrichment opportunities for middle school students," the county noted.

The other recipients of the Freedom Medal, and descriptions of their accomplishments by Camden County (click on their names for more details):

• Shakir Ali, Pennsauken. Ali is a passionate advocate for community service, leadership, and uplifting others. He is a music educator who mentors at–risk middle school students and volunteers at Camp Bright Feathers, a summer program for children affected by HIV/AIDS and violence.
• Colleen Bianco Bezich, Haddonfield. Bezich is committed to championing diversity and inclusion as well as serving underserved communities. As mayor of Haddonfield, she has supported events such as LGBTQ+ pride, Juneteenth, and Diwali. She also mentors refugee children through the Diocese of Camden's Office of Migration and Refugee Services and has supported organizations such as LUCY Outreach, where she served as a board member, and Cathedral Kitchen.
• Brian Gregg, Camden. Gregg is a basketball coach, mentor, and community leader in Camden who played a key role in the creation of open gym nights, providing a safe haven for young people during after-school hours and weekends. Gregg also has spearheaded educational access programs, partnering with nonprofit organizations to expand opportunities for Camden youth.
• Davida Jacobe–Hart, Sicklerville. Jacobe–Hart has been a driving force behind numerous local initiatives in Winslow Township. She has volunteered with school programs like the Home and School Association and Kidzercise's Afterschool Program to spearhead charitable projects. Her leadership has been further recognized through her role as a member of the Winslow Township County Committee.
• Marilyn Segars Jamal, Clementon. Jamal has made an impact on the lives of students throughout all of Camden County and has mentored and supported educational leaders. After retiring from the New Jersey Department of Education, she was chosen to become the regional director of South Jersey Teenshop Inc. which prepares girls with goals for college and careers.
• James J. Madden, Merchantville. Madden is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with profound disabilities. At Larc School, Jim has been a volunteer and board member for 45 years, focusing his efforts on raising funds, and especially on supporting all the educational and therapeutic activities.
• Portia Simmons, Camden. Simmons is a U.S. Army veteran, pursuer of environmental justice and housing access volunteer. Simmons volunteers as the chairperson of the Center for Environmental Transformation, works with the Heart of Camden and is an active member of the local veteran community.
• Joyce Pierce, Lawnside. Pierce is an educator and former councilwoman and acting mayor of Lawnside. She always had a passionate dedication to the students and people of Haddonfield, having a goal to always ensure that her students received the consistent high-quality education that the Haddonfield schools strive to provide.
• Michael and Kathleen VanStine, Gloucester Township. For well over a decade, Michael and Kathleen have devoted themselves to supporting the men and women who served our nation. Through their leadership of the SpectraCare Foundation and the Carlton R. Rouh Veterans Center in Lindenwold, they have created a sanctuary for healing, growth, and empowerment for veterans.

The Freedom Medal award ceremony is scheduled for January 15 at 6 p.m. at the Collingswood Ballroom, 315 White Horse Pike in Collingswood.