The Camden County Commissioner Board has approved the recommendations of the Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historical Preservation Trust Fund Advisory Committee to award $650,000 to 26 recreation facility enhancement projects throughout the county. These funds will be utilized to upgrade, improve, or renovate recreational facilities for our residents and the families that call Camden County home. The 2021 Grant Recipients include $25,000 for a raised crosswalk at Centre St. for Merchantville's Multi-Use Trail and $25,000 for the Cramer Hill Waterfront Trail Connector in Camden City.

Beginning, April 12, the Camden County Library System will begin gradually reopening to the public, starting with limited services and hours at its larger branches. This marks the first time indoors, in-person services have been available to library patrons since facilities returned to primarily curbside operations amidst the fall and winter surge in COVID-19 activity. In addition to the gradual reopening of larger branches, all of the Camden County Library System’s branches are also continuing to offer contactless pickup options. The Merchantville branch has not yet resumed operations open to the public, however, it is continuing to provide no-contact pickup options. Pickup is available at the Merchantville branch Monday and Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Seven library branches will open to the public on Monday, April 12: Bellmawr, Camden Downtown, Ferry Ave., Gloucester Township, Haddon Township, South County, and Vogelson. Each branch will be open during the following hours: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m and Wednesday and Thursday: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. No-contact pickup will be available Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Camden County Office of Veterans Affairs and the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia are teaming up to create a pop-up vaccination site for 588 South Jersey veterans on Saturday, January 30th. Vaccinations will be provided at the Harry Williams Community Center located at the intersection of North Black Horse Pike and Broadway in Runnemede. Vaccinations will be available by appointment only between 7:45 a.m and 2:15 p.m. Eligible veterans can call (215) 823-4014 to make an appointment until all available slots have been filled. The following conditions must be met to be considered eligible: must be a veteran (no spouses or relatives at this time); must be already enrolled for VA benefits; and, must be at least 75 years of age; or at least 65 years of age with a serious health condition.

The Camden County RECOVERS Rental Assistance Program, which draws $15 million from funding provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury, is aimed at supporting low income renters at risk of losing their homes or facing an eviction threat due to lost employment or income caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Camden County Rental Assistance Program now makes available up to 12 months of back rent (capped at the Fair Market Rent) and utilities. While tenants will apply to take part in the program, payments will be made directly to landlords and utility companies. In order to qualify for Rental Assistance Program, tenants must meet eligibility and rules. Applications for the program will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. Deadline for Applications is October 30, 2021.

County Commissioner Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, advises municipalities that Camden County will be under a Code Blue Alert from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, 2/1, until noon on Tuesday, 2/2, from 7 p.m. on 2/2 until 10 a.m. on 2/3, and from 7 p.m. on 2/3 until 10 a.m. on 2/4. The County is monitoring a long duration winter storm that will bring widespread snow and dangerously cold temperatures to our area. When temperatures reach this low, it is important to check on elderly relatives and neighbors, and to ensure that they are warm and safe. Even inside, cold conditions can quickly become dangerous for vulnerable populations, especially those who lack heat or electricity. The Camden County Health Department and the Office of Emergency Management have worked with each municipality to ensure they have the proper resources to respond to these severe weather situations as part of their individual Code Blue plans. Each municipality has identified its own location to accommodate those in their community seeking shelter from the severe weather. Persons seeking shelter in a warming center should contact their local municipality. New after-hours Code Blue Emergency Hotline phone number: 2-1-1 
Additional resources are available by calling the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services at (800) 999-9045, or by visiting www.camdencounty.com.

Dr. Paschal Nwako, Camden County Health Officer, has provided the following recommended links and documents for COVID-19 information from the CDC, the State of New Jersey and Camden County websites which is in line with our 2020 Local Board of Summit “Better Health Outcomes in Your Own Back Yard for COVID-19" and best practices. The goal is for each mayor to be in partnership with Camden County Department of Health in getting the word out and providing resources to the residents of their municipality. Resources include: COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit, Vaccine Roll Out Information Site from The State Of New Jersey, CDC: Benefits of Getting the COVID Vaccine: Vaccine Facts, New Jersey Department of Health Communicable Disease Service Website, Camden County Website, Camden County COVID-19 Updates and Resources, Camden County COVID-19 Dashboard, COVID-19 Vaccine Information, and Camden County Needs You: Medical Professionals Sought for COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics.