Events

Captain Javier Toro has over 24 years of law enforcement service with the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office. He has worked at the Courthouse, Narcotics, Homicide and Special Victims Units. He has become a strong advocate for human trafficking, internet crimes against children, sexual assault and physical abuse victims during his tenure in the Special Victims Unit. He also provides trauma-informed sexual assault investigations training at the Hudson County Police Academy and local police departments. He sits on the State CAC-MDT Advisory Board and the Child Fatality Near Fatality Review Board and is the Hudson County CART Coordinator. 

Krutanjali Thakar is the founder and director of ENERGIZE 2025 Health and Wellness. As a young mother she faced a serious health scare which led her to a complete lifestyle transformation. Her primary focus of ENERGIZE 2025 is to help people on their journey towards a stronger and healthier body, mind and soul. It empowers everyone with tools, knowledge and encouragement needed to live a longer, healthier and more fulfilling life. 

Joseph will speak about the struggles with gambling addition, the treatment and support that is readily available. The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey has helped countless people recover from disordered gambling since its inception whether it be casino gambling, online or sports betting. By facilitating access to various programs, services and other resouces they work to educate the public about this disorder and provide aid to anyone who needs it. 

Tony has been a committee member, adult leader, merit badge counselor and Eagle Scout mentor for Boy Scout Troop 60 and Cub Pack 217. He assists the Knights of Columbus on efforts which include the Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Tony is also a member of The Fair Lawn Sunrise Rotary Club and first bcame involved with Rotary in 1990 while he was a science teacher at Fair Lawn High School. He has been recognized as Rotarian of the Year and has been awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship and Walter D. Head Fellowship. 

Dr. Janelle Hall is a powershouse of leadership, community impact and personal empowerment. Now as the CEO of United Passaic Organization she is dedicated to ensuring that others have tools, resources and opportunities to build a better future. Her work focuses on helping families achieve self-sufficiency providing holistic support to strenghten communities and partnering with other organizations to offer mutual aid to those who need a hand up - not a handout. 

Rosemarie D'Alessandro whose daughter Joan was killed in Bergen County in 1973 while delivering a box of Girl Scout cookies will speak about her book "The Message of Light Amid Letters of Darkness" which intersperes her struggles with dozens of letters the killer wrote while in prison. Joan D'Alessandro, age 7, a Hillsdale resident disappeared 52 years ago after asking her Mom if she could deliver a box of Girl Scout cookies to a neighbor on her corner. After an investiagation, a chemistry teacher who lived across the street was sent to prsion for Joan's sex assault and death. Joan Angela D'Alessandro Foundation (Joan's Joy) brings awareness to child safety and protection forever. Joan will always be remembered for inspiring the passage of laws that ensure victims rights and keep child predators behind bars without parole. 

There will be an 11:15 Board Meeting with the Governor before our luncheon meeting.

Denis Niland from Bergen County Division of Consumer Affairs, Office of Consumer Protection will be providing an Educational Presentation on Consumer Fraud. His program will include Scam Frauds, Staying Alert, Protecting Yourself in the Retail World, Home Improvement Contractors and Scams and Small Business Scams. 

We are so excited to share that the High School Chorus and Dance Ensemble will be visiting again this year to perform at our meeting. Their talent and energy always puts us in the Holiday Spirit. 

Happy New Year and welcome back - January 8th will be a round table so everyone can catch up and start planning activities in the New Year. 

Dayna Hess is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Harmony Village at Care One Paramus which is a memory care assisted living community.  Joan DiPaola is the Senior Care Specialist and director of Dementia Program Development. They provide medical as well as social service support services for residents and their families. It is imperative that the patients are stimulated and receive the right level of care at every stage of their dementia. 

Keith Marley currently sits as the New Jersey Astronomical Association Board of Governors Archivist and Librarian. He controls the size and content of the Library's books, magazines and videos. 

Captain Bill Sheehan is a lifelong Northern New Jersey resident who grew up along the Hackensack River which flows through the heavily industrialized Meadowlands region of New Jersey. His early experiences witnessing the decline of the river inspired his career in environmental advocay. The Hackensack Riverkeeper was founded in 1997, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting, preserving and restoring the Hackensack River watershed through advocacy, education, community action and litigation. He earned his U.S. Coast Guard Master's License in the 1990's and often conducts Eco-Cruises on the river to educate the public and monitor water conditions. 

Robert Guidetti is the Chief of Police for the Paramus Police Department. He started his career in law enforcement in 1987 and has steadily risen through the ranks serving as detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and deputy chief before becoming chief in 2023.  As chief he is responsible for departmental strategy, budgeting, public safety planning and liaison with community organizations and local government. 

Mayor Christopher DiPiazza will be speaking to us about the current State of the Town including a brief overview of how Paramus is doing, current projects, upcoming community events and his vision for the future. 

The Blood Bank will be on site in the parking lot from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Please bring a relative, friend or potential new member for this very important cause. They will provide water and snacks for the donors. 

Northeast New Jersey Legal Services provides free legal assistance to residents of Bergen, Hudson and Passaic Counties experiencing poverty including seniors, persons lving with a disabiliy and persons experiencing homelessness.