June 26, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 27 Area ASBean Counter is boon Cassell receives award Dr. Samuel Cassell, founder of the Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative, recently became a Jefferson Award winner. These awards are presented annually by the State of New Jersey and PNC Bank to recognize volunteers for their service to the community. When he learned of his nomination, Cassell’s first thought was about the good this award could do to expand health care for more working, low-income residents of Bergen County. “When 80,000 people in our Bergen community have to live without health care, it’s our duty to not only help them, but to make sure as many people are aware as possible of the huge and growing need,” Cassell said. “Through volunteering and supporting this important initiative as a community, we really do make a difference. This award should help us get the word out.” Cassell’s interest in community-based health care has been at the forefront of his life for more than 10 years. In 2000, he had just retired from his practice as an internist and pulmonologist when a series of events got him thinking about the need for medical care for the uninsured. He began an extraordinary journey that culminated in the opening of Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative, a Hackensack-based health care center that provides free primary and preventive medical care for working, low-income adults who have no health insurance. “Sam was convinced that doctors, nurses, and other health care providers could – and would - volunteer their services to provide Wyckoff Volunteer Ambulance Corps member Ryan Noon, Lieutenant Craig Simko, Captain Charlie Bellucci, Treasurer Brian Cole, ASB Branch Manager Karen Mullane, and ASB Associates Franscesca Avella and Margaret Jane Mugisch. Dr. Samuel Cassell Something wonderful is brewing at the Atlantic Stewardship Bank’s Wyckoff branch, located at 378 Franklin Avenue. At the ASBean Counter coffee bar, located in the lobby, customers can help themselves to complimentary coffee. But there is also a donation box with a very special purpose: The bank contributes all the coffee bar donations to area charities and non-profits. The bank recently donated $380 to the Wyckoff Volunteer Ambulance Corps. “The Atlantic Stewardship Bank is pleased to help support such an important volunteer organization, such as the Wyckoff Volunteer Ambulance Corps,” said ASB Wyckoff Branch Manager Karen Mullane. “Each year the bank makes many charitable donations through our tithing program, but this one comes directly from our customers. Whenever they enjoyed coffee in our lobby and dropped a donation into the box they were helping to support a very important service in our community, and we thank them for their continuous generosity.” care for those who couldn’t afford it,” said Michael Azzara, former Valley Hospital CEO, who currently serves as board chair of BVMI. “Sam was the driving force behind the establishment of BVMI and worked tirelessly to recruit community leaders and donors throughout the county, which resulted in the opening of the health care center in 2009. Today, more than 65 volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, and nurses serve a patient base of 1,000 people. For more information, visit www.bvmi.net or call (201) 342-2479. Koko FitClub of Wyckoff celebrates Grand Opening Left: Koko FitClub members Helene and Andy Garland “Smartraining” with a Koko Certified FitCoach. Right: Ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Boonstra, Wyckoff Chamber of Commerce Jay Vidockler and the Koko FitClub team. Koko FitClub of Wyckoff, located in the Boulder Run Shopping Center, held their Grand Opening Event on Saturday, June 15th. This is the second location to open in the Northern New Jersey area in the last 6 weeks joining its sister location in the Franklin Crossing Shopping Center in Franklin Lakes. The community has welcomed Koko with open arms and has embraced this new and unique fitness concept. Koko FitClub is a revolutionary new fitness solution that incorporates technology to bring strength training, cardio exercise and nutrition planning together in one place, customized precisely to your body and goals. We call it Koko Smartraining. It’s an evidence based fitness solution specifically designed to build and preserve lean muscle, burn fat and drive your metabolism like never before. It’s fast, motivating and so effective…it’s patented. Cell monopole (continued from page 5) a buffer. The companies’ equipment sheds are to be located at the base of the monopole. The borough council, which funds the appeal, had originally opposed it, expressing reservations about the likelihood of being successful based on recent court decisions on similar cases. But Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan said Judge Toskos had not taken into account the fact that Midland Park had submitted an alternate location for the monopole: the A&P shopping center on Lake Street. He said that site should be more desirable because it is the lowest lying area of Midland Park.