The Arc Mercer to Honor Robbinsville
Mayor Dave Fried at Nov. 17 Gala

October 4, 2017

Robbinsville Mayor David Fried, The Arc Mercer’s 2017 Community Hero Award recipient, is being honored in recognition of his township’s embrace of people with special needs November 17, 2017 at The Stone Terrace by John Henry.

Whether it is someone with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, a physical disability or financial difficulties, the mayor and the township he serves seek to find a place for them.

Just as The Arc Mercer strives to integrate people with special needs in the community, so Mayor Fried works toward integrating the township’s numerous group homes, three of which are Arc Mercer houses. In fact, these homes blend in so well in their neighborhoods, the mayor said people cannot identify which ones are the group residences. He notes that 10 percent of the township’s housing stock are affordable homes.

The Arc Mercer’s three Robbinsville group homes are Hilltop, Robbinsville-Edinburgh Rd. and Robbinsville-Allentown Rd. Mayor Fried understands that collaboration with non-profits on housing and other initiatives produces the maximum benefit. “I love partnering with The Arc Mercer because it enables us to do so much more as opposed to doing it ourselves. And it is better for the residents,” the Mayor said.

The township’s work with special needs is in keeping with its overall philosophy of bettering peoples’ lives. Mayor Fried points to how State of the Township fundraising over the past three years has brought in more than $100,000. The presentation to the annual State of Township beneficiary is Mayor Fried’s favorite event of the year. The money raised for the State of the Township goes to individuals or small groups.

Three years ago, it provided a young man with a van that could accommodate his wheelchair. The presentation of the van’s keys to this individual was a surprise, assuring that not a single person at the event had a dry eye. In the past two years, a house was renovated for cancer victims, and a bathroom was installed in the home of a teacher with ALS.

Mayor Fried is currently serving his third term as mayor of Robbinsville. He expresses his appreciation for being honored with the Hero Award, the first such award he has received since taking office. Considering his determination to providing services to people in need, it will not be his last.

To make a gift to the Gala’s Silent Auction, contact Dawn at dcarmosino@arcmercer.org

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