Collingswood Woman To Be Honored At County Medal Ceremony

COLLINGSWOOD, NJ - A Collingswood woman will be recognized for her contributions to the community Wednesday night. Sandi Kelly will be honored for her unselfish contributions to improving her community at the 2019 Camden County Freedom Medal Ceremony on Jan. 23, county officials announced.

She is among 18 Camden County residents who will be honored Wednesday night. The award was created in 2001 and is presented to civic leaders who demonstrate the ideals and actions that reflect the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

For decades, Kelly has served Camden County and South Jersey, giving back as part of both her career and personal life. She has led a distinguished 20-year career with Camden County, where she significantly impacted the lives of residents through a variety of programs.

Kelly was a founding member behind the creation of the Camden County Addiction Task Force. Started in 2014, its successes include expanded access to treatment, community summits, a widespread education campaign, and a program that equips every police department with the overdose reversal agent, naloxone - resulting in thousands of saved lives.

The complete list of honorees includes:

• Rosy Arroyo;
• Pam Grayson Baltimore;
• Kathy Crane;
• Kimberly Dickstein;
• Carolyn Grace;
• Eartha Holland;
• Shirley Johnson;
• Sandra Kelly;
• Nurah Muhammad;
• Bill Orth;
• Mario D. Partee;
• Jennifer Richman;
• Al Schmidt;
• Rabbi Larry Sernovitz;
• Bill Spearman, Assemblyman;
• Stella Sytnik;
• Mary Ann Wardlow, Mayor of Lawnside; and
• Robert Rocky Wilson.

"Each year since 2001, the Camden County Freedom Medal has been presented to honor extraordinary Camden County citizens who have generously contributed their time and effort to better their community while espousing the ideals indicative of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.," Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. said. "These exemplary citizens have demonstrated significant contributions in the area of community service. They serve as a model to us all."

The Freedom Medal ceremony will take place at the Collingswood Ballroom located at 315 White Horse Pike. The reception will start at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6 p.m. The awards will be presented immediately following dinner.

The attached image of the Camden County seal was previously provided.