The top stories of the year in Marlton

As we count down to a new year, the Marlton Sun looks back at the top stories of 2024.

A hometown hero

Long-time Marlton resident Scott D’Antonio and his nonprofit have helped struggling area families with disabled members since 2015.

The 61-year-old contractor founded his own company nearly 30 years ago. In 2015, he initiated Hometown Heroes for Special Needs, the inspiration for which came from D’Antonio’s personal experience with a disabled family member. He learned plenty about special needs individuals and the financial struggles their families face.

“Being around and talking to struggling families – single mothers, single fathers, children and adults – got me into doing this work, and I just felt that I needed to help people,” he recalled. “I know what (my family) goes through, I know what a struggle it is, because it’s a life-long thing.

“I figured, let me just use what I have, and that’s contracting,” D’Antonio added. “We’ve done fixer-ups, wheelchair-accessible ramps and bathrooms for two men who weren’t physically able to have a bathroom shower in years.

“I just thought, if I’m able to give back and help, I will.”

Earlier this year, D’Antonio’s nonprofit benefitted a local man and his daughter, both autistic, whose limited income restricted basic home essentials. They had not had an operable shower, toilet or bathroom sink in years. The sink was not fully functional and the electric didn’t function.

“It was heartwrenching to see,” D’Antonio said. “The house was really unlivable, so I reached out to (Camden-based) GPS Plumbing Inc., since they’re friends of mine and they donated everything.”

D’Antonio installed drywall and flooring, did some painting, pressure washed the home’s exterior to remove moss growth and took on some electrical work.

“(The man) sent me a text after he first used the shower,” the contractor recalled, and he said, ‘I took a bath and I just wanted to tell you it was a miracle what you did for us.’ When you get even a small message like that, it makes everything worthwhile.”

Hometown Heroes relies on funding and donations to support its work and pay for supplies.

“My time has always been free,” he explained. “But to do a lot of these construction repairs, you need the money there to buy supplies and so forth.”

D’Antonio typically gets donations through networking, appearing on local news outlets and relying on customer word of mouth. Hometown Heroes receives donations and help from local contractors and companies such as Marlton-based Spagz Electric and Crawford Painting, and seeks volunteers with all levels of experience.

For more information, or to volunteer or donate to the nonprofit, visit its website at www.hh4sn.com

Changes in government

Evesham Township Council swore in a new member to a vacant seat at its September meeting.

The move came after former councilwoman Patricia Hansen announced her decision to resign, effective Aug. 16. She won reelection in 2022, and her current term was set to expire at the end of 2026. But Hansen cited division among council members and lack of communication as reasons for her exit.

Joseph Fisicaro Jr. – a teacher at Cherokee High School and an Evesham board of education member – and former township Fire Commissioner Christian Smith joined Dr. Krystal Hunter as the Democratic nominees for council on the November ballot. Fisicaro Jr. and Smith will be sworn in as council members at the Friday, Jan. 3 reorganization meeting.

Hunter was sworn in by Mayor Jackie Veasy and began her service during the rest of the September meeting, where she was also selected by council to fill a seat on the township planning board. Hunter previously served on the board of commissioners for the Evesham Municipal Utilities Authority.

Hunter is a graduate of Lenape Regional High School District who grew up in Mount Laurel. She is a bio-statistician at a local health system and a medical school associate professor. She has a bachelor’s degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, a master’s from Rutgers University and a doctorate from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Hunter quoted a noted civil and children’s rights activist who is also the founder and president of a national nonprofit focused on child advocacy and research.

”In terms of my philosophy concerning service,” Hunter explained, “I’d like to quote Marian Wright Edelman, who said, ‘Service is the rent we pay for living. It is the very purpose of life.’”

Excelling on the track

Evesham council presented certificates of achievement at its August meeting to two young residents for competing in the 2024 USATF Junior Olympics in July.

The seven-day competition began on July 22. Zara Walker, a Marlton first grader, was cited for competing in several dash events, as well as the 4×100 relay and the long jump. Her younger brother Zavier – who entered kindergarten this fall – competed in the 400 meter dash, the javelin throw and the long jump. Zara’s longest jump was recorded at 10.8 feet, Zavier’s at 6.8.

The children’s family moved to Marlton last year, and Zara has since competed with the Marlton Track Club as well as a private track club called the Jersey Devil Elite. She also qualified for the AAU Junior Olympics.

Deputy Mayor Ginamarie Espinoza read from Zara’s certificate of achievement at the meeting.

“For her age group, Zara is currently ranked as number one in New Jersey, in the group of 100 meter, 200 meter and long jump,” Espinoza read. “That’s amazing.”

Zara is sharing her love of competing in track and field with Zavier, who started competing this year and quickly became a top turbo javelin thrower. His longest throw was measured at 27.8 feet.

“(Evesham Township is) incredibly proud of both Zara and Zavier for their achievements and dedication to their sports as well as their town,” Espinoza read from the meeting proclamation, “and becoming wonderful young athletes.”