Bridgeton legends to be celebrated

PITTSGROVE - The Greater Bridgeton Legends planning committee will host its 2016 Bridgeton Legends event at 6 p.m. March 12 at Centerton Country Club on Almond Road. Greater Bridgeton Legends is an annual dinner and entertainment benefit that celebrates notable Bridgeton residents and their significant contributions to the community.

This combined service club-sponsored project began as part of an annual karaoke event in 2010 and came to be staged as a separate benefit honoring Bridgeton heroes. Each year, the volunteer committee elects one or more honorees as Bridgeton Legends. The panel also selects local Bridgeton charities to benefit from event proceeds.

Gwendolyn Gould and John Fuyuume, two people who have dedicated accomplished lives of public and church service to the advancement of Bridgeton, are this year’s legends.

Gould, wife of celebrated Negro League Baseball star Harold Gould, began as a young volunteer serving migrant farm worker children. She became director of the local Head Start Program, then an activist in the NAACP, National Congress of Christians and Jews and other local equal rights campaigns. She capped her career of service with 16 years of leadership as volunteer chairwoman of CompleteCare, building a health network to the underserved from four medical clinics serving 6,000 people to 21 comprehensive health centers accessing more than 60,000 patients in Cumberland and adjoining counties.  Gould’s life of service has been recognized by numerous public organizations including the NAACP, the New Jersey General Assembly, the National Association of Community Health Centers and the U.S. Public Health Service.

Fuyuume is co-founder and trustee emeritus of the Seabrook Educational and Cultural Center, whose mission statement is  "to preserve and make known the unique history of Seabrook in Upper Deerfield Township ... as a place where peoples of different races and cultural heritage are given the opportunity for a new start in life."  The museum and research center also are focused on the lives of Japanese Americans who were released from incarceration camps during World War II and relocated to Seabrook following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that any loyal American should not be detained without reason. In addition to establishing the center, Fuyuume has dedicated himself to giving voice to Japanese Americans in the community by acting as ambassador for the center and publishing an oral history.  In 2011, Fuyuume received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays from the Japanese government for his contributions to preserving and promoting the history and culture of Japanese Americans.  He also is an emeritus member of the Board of Governors of the Japanese American National Museum, past vice governor of the Eastern District Council of the Japanese American Citizens League and former president of the league's Seabrook Chapter.

Bridgeton Police Athletic League and Baby Love will be the recipients of proceeds from this year’s event. Bridgeton PAL is initiating a new youth sports program, including a youth sports center. Baby Love helps underserved moms follow a program of regular prenatal and newborn visits with a goal of healthy childbirth and babies.

“We’re counting on our generous sponsorships and a great attendance at the 2016 Greater Bridgeton Legends celebration to make a big investment in Bridgeton’s future,” said Gil Walter, co-chair of the event along with Dave Elwell.

For event and sponsorship information, call Jean Calderon at (856) 391-1130.