Moorestown Woman Who Helps Children Honored Locally

MOORESTOWN, NJ — A Moorestown woman who helps infants, children and teenagers in need has been recognized locally for her efforts.

Jaclyn Barnes was selected as the Moorestown Humanitarian of the Month for June 2021, the organization announced on Wednesday.

As part of Project Night Night, Barnes engages the community to make about 1,000 bags of books, stuffed animals, pajamas and blankets for infants, children, and teenagers in need.

She works tirelessly and puts lots of effort in managing this project, and delivers bags every year. During the coronavirus pandemic, she took precautions to ensure there was no in-person contact.

Barnes also works on other projects, such as the Covenant House Sleepout, which helps brings awareness for millions of homeless children.

Barnes said she is truly humbled by the nomination, stating, “…any work I do is only made possible by an incredible team of women - especially my mom, who is my partner in any and all projects we take on."

The Moorestown Humanitarian of the Month award recognizes Moorestown residents who engage in humanitarian causes and might otherwise go unrecognized.

A charity of the winner's choice receives a $1,000 donation from the Janet Knowles Charitable Foundation. Barnes chose to have the donation in her name go to The Heart of Camden.

“I choose them because I love their mission of quality affordable housing, economic development, and community support, and because they have done great things over the course of this last year in terms of providing nutrition and other necessary assistance to the Waterfront South community of Camden,” Barnes said.

In addition to the financial donation, the winner receives a $100 gift certificate to a Moorestown restaurant of their choice, and two tickets to a Moorestown Theater Company (MTC) performance.

"I believe we have heroes and heroines among us that we never hear about. The goal of the award is to recognize and thank those Moorestonians who do so much to improve the welfare and happiness of other people by their selfless acts of charity," said Janet Knowles, creator of the award and 45-year Moorestown resident. "And by donating to a charity in the winner's name, the award supports continued good works. The Award Committee also thought it was important to give the winners something to enjoy, so they'll get to dine out at a local restaurant and see a show courtesy of the Moorestown Theater Company."

The Moorestown Humanitarian of the Month Award is awarded each month, by Janet Knowles and a committee of six prominent Moorestonians:

• Ann Baiada (Bayada Home Health Care),
• Mark Morgan (Moorestown Theater Company),
• Caryn Lynch (Community House of Moorestown),
• Dan Posternock (Posternock Appell, PC) and
• Rick Williams (6abc Philadelphia).

The Award Committee will meet again in early June to select the next Moorestown Humanitarian of the Month. The following guidelines are set for award nominees:

• Nominees must be a resident of Moorestown Township at the time of their nomination.
• Nominee's humanitarian work need not be confined to Moorestown.
• Nominees' humanitarian work and service activities should be unrelated to their employment.
• Individuals with an active candidacy for political office or for the Moorestown Board of Education are not eligible for the award.
• Nominees may be an individual, a couple or a family that resides in Moorestown. Once someone has received the award, they will not be eligible for future nomination.
• Employees of the Knowles Teacher Initiative and their families are not eligible for nomination.
• Nominations can be made online using this form. The form can also be mailed to:

Moorestown Humanitarian of the Month
PO Box 826
Moorestown, NJ 08057