JACKSON – Remember the popular game show Family Feud first made popular by actor Richard Dawson of Hogan’s Heroes fame?
That game show was a staple on daytime television in the 70s and later versions became equally popular over the years but nothing matched the fun that members of the Jackson Township Police Department and the Jackson Township Commission for the Disabled/ Handicapped enjoyed one recent snowy evening at the Melvin Cottrell Senior Center.
The event involved several of Jackson’s men and women in blue as one team while playing against the clients of the Commission who sponsored the event at their latest meeting.
Commission Secretary Karen Lundgren joined long time members Alison Krygier and Diane “Dee” Brown. Krygier has been a part of the Jackson Disabled/Handicapped Commission since 1990.
The organization used a home version of Family Feud that included features of the TV game show ranging from a Face-Off to the Fast Money round and the survey said…fun!
The two teams battled it out to see who reigned supreme.
Players had to provide the post popular answers to win with questions from the TV game show such as, “How much allowance should a 10-year-old get each week?” “Name a major league football or baseball team named after an animal.”
It also provided a lot of laughs for the players and those watching.
“This program has had such a positive impact within our community,” Lundgren noted. “They saw our police officers giving their best try at playing Family Feud, but they were no match for our amazing Helping Hands Clients who won.”
Support Services Division Commander and JTPD team leader Capt. Mary Nelson joined six other members of the police department in the competition and she was clearly having fun as one of the contestants. She was joined by Sgt. David Watson and Officers Michael Bollard, Cassie Elbaum, Travis Moore, Cole Olejarz and Mason Kinlan.
“Our most memorable and tricky question was about things that contained water. We chose to say lake – not an answer – when the game called for ‘Human Bodies’,” she added.
Nelson said members of the police department “started visiting with the Helping Hands kids about two years ago and now can say this is one of many of our favorite community events. The program is run so well and it always bring such joy to our work day to be around such a happy and fun-loving group of people.”
“Despite our loss, every officer who attended our game night event left with a warm heart and happy smile while asking when the next event will be. The Helping Hands group did win by a landslide but the police look forward to another game night and chance to take the title,” the captain said.
Captain Nelson said in regards to public outreach, “we do offer to come out and give educational talks and meet ups to different groups or associations on any police related topic. These can be scheduled by emailing me at mnelson@jackosntwpnj.net.”
The officer has been coordinating the township’s National Night Out event which this year will be August 5. She is looking forward to this year’s event and noted that “participants can sign up beginning in June.”
Jackson Township’s Police Department also sponsors a Police Explorers Post for teenagers. It is run by Sgt. Michael Basso. He can be reached at mbasso@jacksontwpnj.net for those interested in learning more about it.
For those interested in making new friends, playing games, watching movies, enjoying crafts, and socializing in a structured setting under the supervision of caring, nurturing staff, register by mail or drop off your registration to: Jackson Township Commission for the Disabled /Handicapped at: 45 Don Connor Blvd. Jackson, NJ 08527. You can also email your completed registration form to Lundgren at: KLundgren@JacksonTwpNJ.net
