$15,000 Helps Keep Fifth-Graders Off Drugs

The Millburn based organization, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, received a $15,000 grant from the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey this past week to support its initiative to keep fifth-grades off drugs. 

"We are extremely grateful for the Horizon Foundation's continuous support," the executive director of The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, Angelo Valente, said. "As a result of their support we developed the Fifth Grade Parent Alert."

This new program will provide tips for parents to effectively communicate with their fifth-graders, who are at an influential age in their first year of middle school, Valente explained.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey's initiative is offered free to all New Jersey schools and educates parents about the health and other dangers of substance abuse. 

The Millburn organization is the largest public service campaign in New Jersey to help educate the public about drug abuse Valente said. Through the help of the Horizon Foundation, Valente said the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey reaches 35,000 to 40,000 residents a year.

The organization is located at 155 Millburn Ave. For more information visit the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey's website. 

The 24 grants the Horizon Foundation awarded, totaling $437,500, is the third round of awards made by the foundation this year. Other grant awarded were to: Branch Brook Park Alliance, Greater Newark Conservancy, Leche de Mama, Montclair Art Museum, North Ward Center and New Jersey Ballet Company.  

The Horizon Foundation has approved $4,951,000 for 75 organizations to date in 2012. It supports charitable organizations that promote health and the arts throughout New Jersey. 

Have you kept up with Millburn news? Here's the top read stories around town:

Paul Ryan Comes to Short Hills: The nominee of the Republican party for vice president visits a Short Hills resident's house.

State Says: Short Hills Man Stole Dentist's Identity: Authorities said a dentist who was banned from practicing stole the identity of a deceased dentist and continued to treat patients before he was arrested this week.

Sunday Short Hills Fire Ruled Accidental: Cost of damages still unknown.

Car Crashes into Morris Ave. Home: Two members of family sent to hospital following accident.