On Wednesday, Jan. 15, the Board of Commissioners honored 14 Camden County residents for their selfless contributions to improving their community at the 2025 Camden County Freedom Medal Ceremony. The award, created by the Camden County Board of Commissioners in 2001, is presented to civic leaders who demonstrate ideals and actions that reflect the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Each year the Board of Commissioners sets out to identify county residents who exemplify the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Specifically, residents who have made a specific contribution directed to his/her community that, over time, has made a significant, tangible improvement benefitting the people of the community. These accomplishments must be based strictly on volunteer work, excluding any remuneration.
“The individuals selected for this prestigious award display true commitment to making the world a better place through actions such as community service, teaching, and more,” said Commissioner Jonathan Young. “It warms my heart to know that we have so many incredible, selfless people who call Camden County home and who are dedicated to serving their communities.”
The 2025 Camden County Freedom Medal will be presented to the following residents:
- Shakir Ali, Pennsauken
o Ali is a passionate advocate for community service, leadership, and uplifting others. He is a music educator who mentors at–risk middle school students and volunteers at Camp Bright Feathers, a summer program for children affected and effected by HIV/AIDS and violence.
- Colleen Bianco Bezich, Haddonfield
o Bezich is committed to championing diversity and inclusion as well as serving underserved communities. As mayor of Haddonfield, she has supported events such as LGBTQ+ pride, Juneteenth, and Diwali. She also mentors refugee children through the Diocese of Camden’s Office of Migration and Refugee Services and has supported organizations such as LUCY Outreach, where she served as a board member, and Cathedral Kitchen.
- Sangeeta Doshi, Cherry Hill
o Doshi has served the Cherry Hill community for more than two decades through her participation in an array of organizations including the Domestic Violence Response Team, the District IV Legal Ethics Committee, Moms Demand Action, the Indian Cultural Center and Indian Temple Association, the Camden Air Quality Committee, Inspiring South Asian American Women, the New Jersey Leadership Program, the Asian American Alliance in South Jersey and the North South Foundation.
- Brian Gregg, Camden
o Gregg is a basketball coach, mentor, and community leader in Camden who played a key role in the creation of open gym nights, providing a safe haven for young people during after-school hours and weekends. Gregg also has spearheaded educational access programs, partnering with nonprofit organizations to expand opportunities for Camden’s youth.
- Davida Jacobe–Hart, Sicklerville
o Jacobe–Hart has been a driving force behind numerous local initiatives in Winslow Township. She has volunteered with school programs like the Home and School Association and Kidzercise’s Afterschool Program to spearheading charitable projects and her leadership has been further recognized through her roles as a member of the Winslow Township County Committee.
- Marilyn Segars Jamal, Clementon
o Jamal has made an impact on the lives of students throughout all of Camden County and has mentored and supported educational leaders. After retiring from the New Jersey Department of Education, she was chosen to become the regional director of South Jersey Teenshop Inc. which prepares girls with goals for college and careers.
- Lisa Lewis, Voorhees
o Lewis is a lawyer that has dedicated her life to leadership, justice, and community empowerment. Lewis served as a trustee with the Camden County Bar Association and committee member of the Camden County Bar Foundation where she developed programs that taught middle school students in Lawnside our legal systems. In 2018 Lewis joined the Advisory Board of what became the Volunteer Up Legal Clinic.
- James J. Madden, Merchantville
o Madden has dedicated his heart and soul to enriching the lives of children and adults with profound disabilities. At Larc School, Jim has been a volunteer and board member for 45 years, focusing his efforts on raising funds, and especially on supporting all the educational and therapeutic activities.
- Portia Simmons, Camden
o Simmons is U.S. Army veteran, pursuer of environmental justice, and housing access volunteer. Simmons currently volunteers as the chairperson of the Center for Environmental Transformation, works with the Heart of Camden, and is a very active member of the local veteran community.
- Andrew Passalacqua, Cherry Hill
o A high school student at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, Passalacqua is making a meaningful difference in South Jersey through his service project, Crayons for Courts. After observing a child as young as 5 years old endure the anxiety of a courtroom setting, Passalacqua was inspired to act. He raised nearly $3,000 to purchase over 6,000 packets of crayons, 3,000 coloring books, 2,000 activity books, and stickers. His first donation was delivered to the Camden County Courthouse.
- Joyce Pierce, Lawnside
o Pierce is an educator and former councilwoman and acting mayor of Lawnside. She always had a passionate dedication to the students and people of Haddonfield, having a goal to always ensure that her students received the consistent high-quality education that the Haddonfield schools strive to provide.
- Michael and Kathleen VanStine, Gloucester Township
o For well over a decade, Michael and Kathleen have devoted themselves to supporting the brave men and women who served our nation. Through their leadership of the SpectraCare Foundation and the Carlton R. Rouh Veterans Center in Lindenwold, they have created a sanctuary for healing, growth, and empowerment for our veterans.
The 2025 Camden County Congressional Award will also be presented at the ceremony in January. This year’s recipient is Commissioner Jonathan L. Young.
More information on this year’s recipients is available at 2025 Camden County MLK Freedom Medal | Camden County, NJ