Meet The 11 Recipients For The 2023 Camden County MLK Freedom Medal

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — Local residents making a difference in their communities will be honored at the annual Camden County MLK Freedom Medal Ceremony later this month.

The medal, created by the county in 2001, is presented to county residents whose actions reflect the principles and teaching of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

More than 1,200 residents have received this honor since the county created it, and officials said 11 more people will join this roster on Jan. 19.

Residents whose contributions have made "a significant, tangible improvement" in their community through volunteer work are considered for this award.

The 2023 Camden County Congressional Award will also be presented at the ceremony on the 19th. This year’s recipient is longtime Lawnside mayor Mary Ann Wardlow.

Here are the 11 recipients of this year's Camden County MLK Freedom Medal, according to the county:

• Jim DeSimone of Collingswood, an LGBTQ+ activist with the local chapter of PFLAG.
• Anton Dyer or "Coach Twuan" of Pennsauken, a coach and youth sports organizer with a 50+ year commitment to youth sports in Camden City.
• Peter J. Fontaine of Haddonfield, a leader in sustainability and environmental improvement, particularly open space community work.
• William and Gloria Jensen, of Audubon, founders of the nonprofit organization Luke's Place which is devoted to serving the adult special needs community.
• Tom Martin of Haddon Township, advocate for the homeless and founder of Camden County’s pop-up libraries.
• Adolfo “Pepe” Piperno of Cherry Hill, founder of the Domenica Foundation, which sponsor scholarships to Catholic schools for children from low-income Camden families to attend.
• Nicole Roberts of Pennsauken, community volunteer and the first African American woman to be elected to the Township Committee and to serve in the role of Deputy Mayor.
• Miguel Rubert of Camden, known for his informal street ministry in his youth and a volunteer with organizations including Holy Name Parish and the Hispanic Youth Council of Camden.
• Gurmeet Singh (Ashu) of Lindenwold who volunteers his time, prepared meals and financial assistance to vulnerable community members with many local organizations.
• Queen N. Stewart of Voorhees, founder of Create Urgency, a social media campaign encouraging people to follow their dreams while documenting her battle with breast cancer.