A couple of weeks ago, we announced those volunteers who we will be honoring at our annual A Taste of Vineland & Volunteer Recognition Event on Wednesday, October 25 from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Greenview Inn at Eastlyn Golf Course. 4049 Italia Ave., Vineland. Many of Vineland’s finest restaurants will be offering samples of their delicious signature dishes—main courses, appetizers, and desserts—as well as a fabulous silent auction and much more. We’ll also be recognizing those of our Main Street Vineland volunteers and partners who have contributed greatly to the work of our organization. This week’s column will feature the recipient of our Lifetime Achievement Award. My upcoming columns will feature our Volunteer of the Year, Carl Hemple, and our Community Partner of the Year, the Downtown (Landis Avenue) Public Works crew.

Last year, we chose to honor posthumously Samuel L. Levy with a Lifetime Achievement Award, which we have named in his honor going forward. This award is intended to recognize, when appropriate, someone who has gone above and beyond in their support of Main Street Vineland for many years. Our committee and board of directors came to the unanimous decision that the most worthy recipient this year would be Sandra (Sandy) Forosisky. Sandy has been supporting Main Street Vineland since its inception. Her tireless efforts and support continue to allow us to carry out the many missions and visions of the Vineland Downtown Improvement District.

Sandy started her career in economic development as the Associate Director of the Cumberland Empowerment Zone and later assumed the role of Executive Director. The Vineland downtown was included within the Empowerment Zone boundaries and she became active in its redevelopment. She was also part of the team applying for Main Street designation for the Vineland downtown. Redevelopment of the downtown became a priority for Vineland in 2006 and Sandy was recruited for the newly created position of Director of Redevelopment. In this capacity, she was very involved with the Main Street approach and was a volunteer for all four committees. She was very active in all the downtown festivals and she and her husband still volunteer to start the Holiday Parade each year.

Sandy coordinated and continues to coordinate all the downtown redevelopment initiatives including the Façade Improvement Program, Landis Theater Renovations, the creation of the Landis Marketplace, and the development of Landis Senior Housing. She subsequently assumed the position of Director of Economic and Industrial Development, which includes Redevelopment and oversees the Department of Community Development. In her position, she also serves as the UEZ Coordinator and the Executive Director of the Vineland Development Corporation. She oversees all UEZ funding for the VDID and Marketing. She is currently coordinating the repurposing of the Landis Marketplace into a film studio for Weekly World News and the construction of a new building to house a microbrewery in the downtown in
addition to Project Beautify, a new property improvement grant for UEZ businesses.

Sandy received a BA in Mathematics and Economics from Rutgers University and an MBA from Drexel University concentrating in Marketing Analysis. She also sits on the board of the South Jersey Economic Development District and the Cumberland County Economic Development Board.
Tickets are now available for sale and additional sponsorship opportunities are available as well as ad space in the event program book. Click for more information

Our eighth annual Pumpkin Patch Party is planned for Saturday, October 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, at the mini-parks, Landis Avenue and the Boulevard. This event attracts 100 children and parents for holiday fun, games, and fellowship. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Click for more information

Registration is now open for our annual Christmas Parade on November 25th (rain date November 26). The theme of this year’s parade is A Christmas Luau on The Ave. Click for registration, sponsorship and vendor information