| Battleship New Jersey Volunteer Reach 250,000 man Hours |
OVER 1,200 VOLUNTEERS FROM THROUGHOUT THE REGION PROVIDE TOURS, MAINTAIN THE 60-YEAR VESSEL AND MORE
CAMDEN, NJ – APRIL 21 – Just in time for National Volunteerism
Month, the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial on the Camden Waterfront
recorded over 250,000 hours in volunteer time since the ship came to
Camden in 2001.
“We could not have opened and maintained the operations of this great vessel without the dedication of the volunteers here,” said Troy Collins, CEO and President of the Battleship New Jersey. “We have former crew of the USS New Jersey, ex-Navy, Marines, Army and Air Force personnel serve as volunteers. We have volunteers that are current and retired teachers. We even have former executives from many corporations from throughout the region. It’s truly an amazing collection of men and women that make-up our volunteer force here.”
The Volunteer Corps of the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial are active in numerous areas. One group continues the daily restoration on the Ship while another provides the docent (tour guide) force on board. Still others are active in the Museum’s Radio Club, Speaker’s Bureau, Brass Crew or involved in publishing the Volunteer Newspaper, “The Jerseyman.”
Volunteers for the Battleship receive several hours of training on the history, design and current facilities of the Battleship. Volunteers receive uniforms consistent with those of former crew and officers who served on the ship. They enjoy special invites to functions for themselves, spouses and family members. Plus volunteers know they are maintaining and educating a new generation on the exceptional tradition of the USS New Jersey.
“I enjoy coming to the Battleship and showing our guests this impressive piece of history,” explained Sam Kuncevich, from Philadelphia who has been a docent since the ship opened in Oct. 2001 and was a member of the first Naval crew of the Big J. “I also like the comradery of sharing old war stories with some of the other volunteers here.”
“It really is satisfying to take some children from schools in the area and show them the where and how the crew and officers lived on-board the Battleship,” added Ken Kersch, from Haddonfield and a volunteer since 1991. “The teacher in me enjoys watching the kids see and learn about the New Jersey.”
To celebrate National Volunteerism Month in April and to acknowledge volunteers for reaching the 250,000 hours mark, the Battleship is throwing a reception for all volunteers on the ship’s fantail on Friday night, April 23
Most of the volunteers are from the Philadelphia and South Jersey area. However, there are several that come from many miles away to help out the Big J. This includes Rich Thrash, who commutes from Northern Virginia nearly every other week to help maintain the many brass fixtures throughout the ship.
Volunteer are not always retired persons. Sara Dougherty here spent much of her summer college break volunteering at the Battleship by learning to provide tours. Also, Ernest Ng , a 19-year-old University of Pennsylvania student from Hong Kong, comes to the Battleship every Friday to donate his time to assist the ship’s accounting department.
To learn more about volunteering at the Battleship New Jersey, visit the www.battleshipnewjersey.org or Dan Farrell, Volunteer Manage by calling 856-966-1652 ext. 224 .
Opened to the public as a floating museum in October, 2001, on the Delaware River, along the southern end of the Camden Waterfront across from Center City Philadelphia, the Battleship New Jersey is an integral part of the revitalization of the Camden Waterfront. A signature waterfront attraction to veterans, patriots, students and families from around the world, the Battleship New Jersey has already undergone massive restoration efforts, bringing history to life for visitors during daily guided tours through the Iowa-class ship, one of the largest battleships ever built – seeing the Admiral's quarters, the mess, the troops' quarters, the bridge, the communications center and more, throughout the ship's massive nine decks.
Currently, the Battleship just launched a commemorative photo program where guests can get their photo taken upon entering the pier with the Battleship in the background. Photos are then processed and ready for purchase when the customers depart the ship. The photos come in either a souvenir package, in magnetic frames or both.
Coming in June, the Battleship will add a 4-D Flight Simulator Ride, presented by Cherry Hill Volvo. This virtual reality ride will feature the launch of a Seahawk plane from the Battleship’s deck, a reconnaissance flight over the island of Iwo Jimo, the avoidance of anti-aircraft, engagement with an enemy aircraft and a landing in the ocean next to the Battleship. Single tickets for $6.50 per ride as well as discounted tour combo tickets will be available at the Battleship Ticket Office.
The Battleship New Jersey's 2nd Annual fundraiser, "Battleship Blast!" will be held on Friday, July 2, 2004. Ticket prices range from $250 - $500 per person and sponsorships ranging from $1,250 - $10,000 are still available. For more information on sponsorship packages and tickets to the benefit event, please contact Claire Morris, Vice President of Development at the Battleship New Jersey, 856.966.1652, extension 207.
For more information on the Battleship New Jersey, please contact Jack
Willard at 856-966-1652 ext. 144.
More information on this tourism attraction.
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