Marlton’s top stories of the year

As we count down to a new year, the Marlton Sun looks back at the top stories of 2025.

‘Great things’ to do

Evesham council’s annual reorganization meeting in January saw Dr. Krystal Hunter, Joseph Fisicaro Jr. and Christian Smith sworn in as members.

Fisicaro and Smith are new, while incumbent Hunter took the oath for the remainder of a two-year term she won in November 2024, along with Fisicaro and Smith. Hunter was initially appointed to fill the seat temporarily left after Patricia Hansen’s resignation last summer; she was sworn in by Assemblywoman Andrea Katz and will be Evesham’s deputy mayor.

“I am honored and humble to serve as deputy mayor,” Hunter said, “and I’m grateful that council has put their trust in me with this great responsibility. I’d also like to thank Mayor (Jaclyn) Veasy and Councilwoman (Heather) Cooper for your fierce support of me, and I just look forward to continuing to learn from you.

“I’d also like to thank those who were supported us, whether you were volunteers, residents or employees here in the township,” she added. “I’m looking forward to the great things we’re going to do.”

Fisicaro and Smith were sworn in to four-year terms on council. The former took the oath from Veasy and the latter from Cooper.

“I want to thank everyone for this opportunity,” Fisicaro enthused. “The reality is, it’s a privilege, and this is one of the greatest privileges I’ve ever had. For me, this is about paying a debt to the community; this community has given me everything. My parents made the incredible decision to move here in 1984, when I was 4 years old, and I never understood that a town could be so safe, beautiful and clean.”

Smith reflected on his journey to a seat on council.

“I’m kind of humbled by the path that led me here, because I was just a simple resident looking to volunteer somewhere, fundraise, clean up – anything,” he acknowledged. “But I do understand the value of the seat I sit in today. I understand the role I take as a leader here.

“I look forward to immersing myself in the different departments and organizations that proudly serve this community.

Student achievement

In August, the Marlton Sun profiled an incoming sophomore at Cherokee High School who has worked to benefit others in his community and worldwide since he was a kid.

Darish Gajera joined the township’s Youth Advisory Committee in sixth grade by attending its online meetings. The following year, he became more active, and in eighth grade, won the position of the committee’s member at large.

During his freshman year at Cherokee, Gajera was elected the committee’s vice president. Its president resigned in December of 2024, so Gajera took on that role in January. Inspired by a conversation he overheard between his parents, he initiated a nonprofit called Care4Me to give used medical equipment what he calls a second life.

“Three years ago, I got the idea for my nonprofit while sitting in the car,” Gajera recalled. “My parents were talking about how at my mom’s senior home, there was so much medical equipment. They were talking about a hospital bed. I heard bed … thrown away … and how many people could use it.

“At the time I was in fifth grade,” he added, “(and) I loved having sleepovers with my friends. I asked (my parents) why I couldn’t take those beds and have sleepovers. However, that idea eventually evolved into what exists today. In April 2024, we officially launched my nonprofit.”

Care4Me collects items such as wheelchairs, walkers and crutches and transports them to rural communities around the world that have limited health-care resources.

“We have collected and donated at least $100,000 of equipment,” he estimated. “Last year, we ran a campaign for our mission trip to India, and we raised over $5,000 dollars to sponsor the education of six students, including tuition and school supplies. These kids all went on to get 90% or higher in their classes.”

Last year, Care4Me partnered with Making A Difference (MAD) – an India-based nonprofit focused on ensuring better outcomes for children in that country’s orphanages and shelters – for a mission trip to distribute warm jackets to underprivileged students there.

Outside of his nonprofit work, Garjera has excelled academically, winning awards in two state science fairs and volunteering at the India Temple Association to teach culture to the youth.

“My education and helping the community,” Garjera explained, “are two of the biggest things for me.”

At a May council meeting, he was among members of the Youth Advisory Committee who were presented certificates of achievement by council for their community work. Gajera spoke on what the committee means to him, and how meeting people through its work enabled him to initiate Care4Me.

“I think (the committee) is more of a community,” he observed. “It’s allowed me to not only make friends, but enjoy a sense of community overall. The connections (I’ve made through the committee) have also helped me in starting my own nonprofit.”

Follow Care4Me on FaceBook and Instagram to stay updated on the nonprofit’s work and donations.

A ‘humbling’ honor

Evesham Township’s Lt. Laura Brown was recognized for her community police work at last month’s 2025 Outstanding Women of Burlington County Awards Reception in Cinnaminson.

Eight county women were honored for their leadership, achievements and service to others. The reception at Riverton Country Club was an opportunity for friends, family and the community to celebrate the often unknown or unpublicized accomplishments of the honorees.

All proceeds from reception tickets help fund annual advisory council scholarships for graduating high-school students.

Brown – who got the public safety award – began her career with Evesham police in 2017, first as a patrol officer and later in internal affairs. She is currently head of the police department’s Community Engagement Unit in support services. She was also a field training officer and patrol bureau supervisor. 

During her time leading the unit, Brown developed several programs and outreach initiatives, including her department’s Junior Police and Citizens Police academies, National Night Out, the Police Explorers program and L.E.A.D. She also coordinates the department’s social media and works with the Evesham Municipal Alliance to develop substance use prevention initiatives and activities.

Brown is also a decorated military veteran who served six years with the Air Force Reserves, including assignments at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst with the 35th Aerial Port Squadron. She was also deployed overseas to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

“Being recognized as the Burlington County Outstanding Woman of the Year in the category of public safety is a humbling and meaningful honor,” Brown said in a statement. “Law enforcement has never been just a job for me. It’s a calling that allows me to connect with the Evesham community, build trust and make a difference every day alongside the other dedicated officers in our agency.

“Sharing this moment with seven other remarkable women, each making an impact in their own fields, made the experience even more special,” she added. “Being acknowledged for something that brings me such personal fulfillment is incredibly rewarding, and I’m looking forward to serving our community for a long time to come.”