In a blend of Irish heritage and South Jersey solidarity, the “Friends of Bill Moen” St. Patrick’s Day celebration successfully raised over $6,000 this past weekend to bolster the Heart of Camden’s food pantry.
While the festivities took place just across the bridge at Fado Irish Pub, the heart of the event remained firmly in Camden’s Waterfront South neighborhood. The proceeds are earmarked for the food pantry at the Michael J. Doyle Field House, a lifeline for local families seeking groceries and essential supplies.
The event drew a significant crowd of Garden State leadership, proving that the mission of the Heart of Camden resonates well beyond city limits. Notable attendees included:
- State Leadership: State Senator Paul Moriarty, Assemblyman Bill Spearman, and Assemblyman David Bailey.
- Local Mayors: David Fleisher (Cherry Hill), Kyle Hanson (Barrington), Zach Houck (Haddon Heights), and Steve Steglik (Mt. Laurel).
- County Representation: Camden County Commissioner Jen Fleisher.
The fundraiser honors a long-standing tradition of service in the region. Assemblyman Bill Moen, a fifth-generation Irish American and Deputy Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, emphasized that the event was about more than just a holiday.
“The food pantry at the Michael J. Doyle Field House plays an important role in supporting Camden families,” Moen stated. “Camden has always been a community that looks out for one another.”
Carlos Morales, executive director of the Heart of Camden, connected the donation to the legacy of the late Monsignor Michael Doyle, whose philosophy of “Do Your Bit” continues to guide the organization.
“There is a deep Irish tradition of stepping up for others — of community, service, and responsibility,” Morales said. “Assemblyman Moen did exactly that. He used his platform to bring people together and invest in a neighborhood that continues to build, fight, and move forward.”
The $6,100 raised will directly expand the pantry’s capacity. As food insecurity remains a pressing issue for many urban centers, these funds ensure that the Heart of Camden can maintain its “four foundations” of success: affordable housing, community development, family services, and youth recreation.
Moen credited the event’s success to the organizational efforts of Sean Kennedy, Dan Keashen and Dennis Culnan, as well as the generosity of the donors who turned a holiday celebration into a community investment.
