Atlantic City, N.J. — The inaugural Stockton Community Day Clean Up and Party in the Park was a huge success last April and the event’s substantial work around Atlantic City was recently recognized by the New Jersey Communities Council.

More than 500 volunteers, representing over 80 community groups and organizations, collected more than 360 bags of trash at various locations throughout Atlantic City during last year’s clean up. The event returns April 22.

Three of the event’s organizers — Brian K. Jackson, chief operating officer, Atlantic City Campus; Michael Cagno, executive director of the Noyes Museum; and Stephanie Clineman, professional services specialist — received the council’s Public Lands Cleanup Award on March 9 during the 18th annual New Jersey Clean Communities Awards reception in Atlantic City.

The award is for a business, community organization, school or individual who has cleaned a roadway, park, playground, ball field or other parcel of land.  

“The work that you and the students of Stockton have done speaks volumes of your commitment to advancing the Clean Communities objective,” said JoAnn Gemenden, executive director of the council. “Your positive impact deserves recognition, and I am proud to say that Stockton University is a valued contributor to our collective mission.”

“We are so proud to be recognized by a state-wide environmental organization for our efforts to bring together the largest ever gathering of residents, community groups, employees and businesses to beautify Atlantic City,” Jackson said. “With the help of our community partners, we cleaned streets and beaches throughout all six city wards. As an Anchor Institution, it is one of many ways we can demonstrate our commitment to Atlantic City.”

This year, Jackson hopes to increase both the number of volunteer participants and the number of vendors for the party in O’Donnell Park after the cleanup.

“Our goal this year is to recruit 700 to 800 volunteers,” Jackson said. “We are hoping that this event will continue to grow and have a lasting impact in Atlantic City.”

The Community Day Clean Up and Party in the Park begins at 8:30 a.m. April 22 at locations throughout the city. For information about how to volunteer for the cleanup or how apply to become a crafter or community/nonprofit vendor, go to stockton.edu/ac.

New Jersey Clean Communities is a statewide, comprehensive, litter-abatement program created by the passage of the Clean Communities Act in 1986. The Act provides a funding source for the program by placing a tax on 15 categories of businesses that may produce litter-generating products. The New Jersey Clean Communities Council is the nonprofit that works closely with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Department of Treasury to administer the Clean Communities program.

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Media contacts:
Stacey Clapp
Director of Strategic Communications
Stacey.Clapp@stockton.edu
609-626-3645
609-412-8069
stockton.edu/media

Mark Melhorn
Associate Director of News and Media Relations
Mark.Melhorn@stockton.edu
609-652-4593
609-569-6026
stockton.edu/media