Lakewood Board of Education Presents Appreciation Awards
The Lakewood Board of Education and Superintendent Laura Winters honored Senator Robert Singer, Township officials, and Dr. Dovid Friedman, the CEO of CHEMED (Center for Health Education, Medicine and Dentistry), for their contributions in saving the sports programs for Lakewood public school boys and girls.
Though the efforts of Senator Singer, Mayor Ray Coles, Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller, and the Lakewood Township Committee, the sports programs that had been in danger of elimination because of a significant Board of Education budget shortfall, were saved.
Another problem loomed, however. The athletes needed physicals before they would be allowed to participate in any sports programs. It was Dr. Friedman, who without hesitation offered to provide physicals to all Lakewood athletes, free of charge, through CHEMED when he heard that no one was going to provide the physicals for them.
To date, 55 high school athletes need physicals and the Lakewood middle school still has to contact CHEMED to schedule theirs.
Dr. Friedman said, “The dedicated staff at CHEMED arranged to give physicals to all athletes so they can participate in sports on the very first day of school. This could not be done without the complete cooperation of our CHEMED staff and doctors, some of whom cut their vacations short to help. We see our role as being here to help the community. As soon as we heard that something needed to be done, we were happy to do it and service the needs of the community. At the end of the day, we are pleased to help the public school children.”
Dr. Michael Rush, a retired administrator, said, “It’s good that the town came together and does kindly things for kids because that’s what it’s about. With Dr. Friedman and all of us – we believe in the same thing: kids first.”
Senator Singer said, “When there’s a need in the community, I am proud to say that organizations like CHEMED step forward to meet those needs.”
Superintendent Winters presented plaques of appreciation to Senator Singer and to Dr. Friedman and all the CHEMED staff for their continued support, dedication and passion for all the children of Lakewood. “I thank you and CHEMED for providing the students in the Lakewood school district with free athletic physicals. Through your tireless efforts, the children in Lakewood are being offered the same opportunities as those students in neighboring districts and for that we thank you.”