The Sunnyside of Cranford (2024)

13/02/2023

just doing what they do best- supporting local organizations and families!

Last week they gave $8,000 to Union College to fund 8 scholarships--4 for Cranford residents--from the proceeds of Oktoberfest. is a gracious host of the event each October so what a great way to give back!!

19/12/2022

This is what the season is all about…thank you for such a generous and kind gift. ❤️💚

16/11/2022

Tis the season for giving back! Please help share the warmth this winter by donating new or gently used coats to help benefit children & families in our town. Collection will be Saturday December 3rd 10-2pm at Lincoln School. Drop off & enjoy some hot cocoa with me!
Please share!
Lindsey Martinelli - Real Estate Agent

21/06/2022

Cranford All Americans! 🥎🇺🇸💙💛

Four of Cranford’s finest are headed to Florida in August to represent the Northeast in the All American Games in Softball.

These talented girls earned top scores from scouts and professional athletes and now get to compete with and against players from across the country.

Big congrats and good luck to Juliana Messinger, Viviana Florio, Mia Andre, and Sofia Messinger!!

Photo cred:
Story cred:

07/06/2022

🎶 Sounds of Summer at the Gazebo ☀️

Come on down and visit the gazebo in Downtown Cranford] for your turn to put summer sounds in the air.

Ella Bange, a sophomore at CHS volunteered her time, vision and talent to paint the piano for our community to enjoy. She focused on a flower theme and it came out beautiful!

Thank you Ella for creating this beauty!

Photo/Story: Downtown Cranford]

24/05/2022

The wins keep coming! 💙💛⚾️

Adding another Championship to the Cranford High School season is the Varsity Baseball team!

congrats on being Union County Champs!!!

Not only are these players great sports on the field, but they are also class acts off the field. They recently spent some time surprising a Cranford young boy who needed positive vibes before a surgery. They brought many smiles and happiness to that little guy and his family.

Congrats to all coaches, players and families!

19/05/2022

Cougar Pride! 💙💛

Lots to celebrate for Cranford High Sports!!

Girls varsity softball took home the Title of Union County Champs! 🥎

Varsity Golf took home the State title for Group 2 ⛳️

Girls Freshman Lacrosse crushed the season by being undefeated! 🥍

Congrats to all coaches and athletes! 🏆

12/05/2022

Moms helping Moms 💜

As the formula shortage continues to rage mothers are scrambling to ensure their children get the necessary nutrition they need.

While it is still unimaginable that this is happening in our country, it is something very real and very scary for families with infants.

But as usual our community rallies…
I’ve seen numerous posts on Facebook in the Cranford Moms group, Cranford families group and Buy nothing group of mothers offering whatever they have left of their own supply, offering to keep eyes out for formula people need specifically, and posting pictures of stores that have stock.

As a mother myself, due with my 2nd in a few weeks, this news is unsettling but knowing there are so many people out there in our town willing to help does remove some of the fear.

Wanted to say thank you to all of those helping other moms and if you have anything to offer that is in excess please post on the Facebook groups or DM me and I can help get the word out there as well. 💜

28/04/2022

Cranford 5th grader a champ once again! ⛸🏅

Livingston Ave student, Aleksandr “Sasha” Fegan, competed in the 2022 US Figure
Skating Championship Series in Leesburg, VA
and Norwood, MA, where he won both series and had the highest total score of all!!

The entire 2022 season was a very successful one with Sasha taking home 11 gold medals! 🏅

Based on such an impressive season he was asked to compete in his first international assignment in Europe, representing Team USA at the 2022 Challenge Cup in Tilburg, Netherlands, where he won silver!! 🥈

Big congrats to this local champ!!!!

Story & photo cred: Cranford Monthly - May Edition

26/04/2022

Cranford local heads to World Cup!⚽️

The U.S. Para Women’s National Teams will travel to Salou, Spain for the 2022 Women’s World Cup and one of Cranford’s own will be representing the USA!

Catarina Guimaraes is one of the 10 members of the team looking to bring home victory in the first-ever international matches for the Para women’s team, which launched in January.

In addition to the United States, Australia, Japan, Netherlands and Spain will be competing.

Games take place May 7-18.

All matches will be broadcast live and free through Esport+, available at esportplus.tv/home or via the ESport+ app on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Let’s show Catarina and her team some love by cheering them on!!! 🇺🇸⚽️🏆

Sorry cred:
🇺🇸⚽️

25/04/2022

Cranford biz supports our Vets 🇺🇸

Local Cranford business, Benner’s Auto Body on South Ave, recently gifted a car to a deserving Veteran and his family.

Joe O'Neill, Jr., owner of partners with a national auto program to support our heros in time of need. So far he has gifted 7 cars to deserving vets.

This year's recipient, Hector Avila, a staff sergeant in the United States Army, did multiple tours and was injured. Not only that but his family suffered the loss of their home and vehicle during Ida.

To celebrate the unveiling of the car, a bbq was thrown for Avila and his family as well as for local police and fire department members and their families.

Thank you to Benner’s and all of our deserving vets! 💙💛🇺🇸

Story credit:

18/04/2022

Community - a feeling of fellowship with others. 💟

While many of us are lucky to not know what it’s like to deal with the aftermath of a house fire, what we do know is how to give and support.

The Cranford community pulled together numerous efforts to help the family impacted by the devastating fire on Orchard Street.

Monetary donations, gift cards, clothing, housewares, furniture and more have been given to help this family rebuild.

Collections are still happening.
Please visit below to continue the support.
Thank you to all who are leading and donating 💙💛

https://gofund.me/3059d2d1

https://m.signupgenius.com/?fbclid=IwAR02pwfSHR81wkFrMRZWH8VBwumsBwRuRa-MztxMjrdu277b3yrr01I10U0 #!/showSignUp/5080D44AEA922A7F85-creating

05/04/2022

Helping Hands 🙌🏼

Sometimes the simplest task means the most.

This weekend our local heros provided support to a resident needing extra help in lifting his disabled father up a few stairs.

Within minutes of calling, 4 firefighters came and helped this sweet grandfather spend quality time with his grandchildren. 💙💛

Thank you!!

Story credit- post on Cranford Families FB

23/03/2022

🐣Cranford Hops to It!🐰

The wonderful members of have yet again organized and donated beautifully wrapped Easter Baskets for .

45 baskets were assembled and decorated with love to help bring joy and smiles to children this coming Easter season.

Thank you to all those who donated the materials and their time. 🍬

15/03/2022

⚽️ Calling all Soccer lovers! ⚽️

is looking for volunteers (ages 12+) for TOPSoccer.

TOPSoccer is a program for young athletes with special needs. The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any child.

Buddies (volunteers) are paired up with athletes to help facilitate soccer activities and provide support for the athletes. Soccer experience is not necessary.

Season runs April 9th- June 11th and is each Saturday 10:45-12 at Bloomingdale Ave School.

Register at Cranfordsoccer.com

Please help spread the word! Great opportunity for tweens/teens!

10/03/2022

“True act of heroism” 💙💛

Fourth grader Juliet McCloud saw a fellow student choking during lunch at OAS. At that time she stayed calm, and signaled the lunch aide, Marjorie Smith.

Smith, a classroom/lunchroom assistant at the school, successfully administered the Heimlich maneuver and dislodged the food.

Both heroes were recognized at the March 7th BOE meeting this week, where they received a standing ovation for their quick thinking and action.

Thank you ladies!! 💙💛

Story & photo:

07/03/2022

🌼 A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal🌼

Local resident, mom & entrepreneur has actively been collecting both monetary and physical donations for the people of Ukraine.

Over the last few weeks she has organized truckloads upon truckloads of goods and partnered with an organization to ship them abroad.

To this day she has raised, with the help and kindness of fellow Cranford residents, over $10k to help with the cost of shipping these goods, as the expense is immense.

Please visit her page and help contribute in any way you can. No gift is too small. It all makes a difference.

🌼💙💛🌼

02/03/2022

📫You’ve got mail! 📫

Local mailman, Nick, spent the last 28 years
working for the post office and servicing Cranford neighborhoods.

Last week he hit an important milestone and is now enjoying a much deserved retirement.

His daughter organized a surprise in partnership with homeowners on his route. Nick was shown Cranford love with signs, gifts and lots of well wishes to make his last day a memorable one!

Congrats to Nick! Enjoy your retirement! 💙💛

24/02/2022

🏃🏻‍♀️Who Runs the World…Girls! 🏃🏻‍♀️

I had the pleasure of meeting local Cranford teen Leila Cader Tea Party for women entrepreneurs.

As an avid track star, she realized a deficiency in young women participating in sports in her father’s home country of Sri Lanka.

To help bring awareness to this she started , a 501-C3 non-profit dedicated to empowering young Sri Lankan girls while helping them become active: both in their communities and on the track.

Pretty amazing for a 16 year old!!

Check out her page to learn more!!

21/02/2022

🌼 The best steps in town 🌸

Love seeing this reminder of what Cranford is all about 💕

17/02/2022

🌈 Help celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day! ☀️

There is no limit on the amount of goodness we can put into the world!

Spread some cheer on this beautiful sunny day!

14/02/2022

The brought the storm…the LoveStorm! 💜🌩 🧶

Be sure to check out the Gazebo in and view the beautiful display of handmade hearts. 💗

Thank you to the crafters, the volunteers, and to those who donated to this year’s cause.

Thanks to their fundraiser they were able to raise $2260 for Robert Hurewitz, a Cranford firefighter who was recently injured.

10/02/2022

Kindness for the win! ❤️

Reposting this story from FB…

A local resident was taking her dog to the vet, and as they passed the fire house her dog began to limp and couldn’t continue to walk the rest of the way due to pain.

One of our Cranford Firemen saw this and came to the rescue, carrying the 70 lb pup to the vets office.

Thank you CFD for being the reason someone smiled today! 💙💛

08/02/2022

🏃‍♂️Just Keep Running! 👟

Feeling tired? Need some motivation? Look no further North Avenue.

For the last few years I’ve seen the same older gentleman jogging through Cranford and Garwood almost everyday.

Similar to USPS, neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stops this man from keeping active.

I don’t know his name or if he is from Cranford but he deserves a shout out for inspiring our town to get out and move, no matter your age or how fast or slow you go!

07/02/2022

💕Spread the Love!💕

is running a Galentine’s fundraiser in honor and memory of a special someone, Marlene Buckman.

With the help of the talented , you can send a thoughtful wooden heart to one of your besties to let them know how much you care.

All proceeds will go directly to in support of single moms in our community.

Please visit the above accounts for information and links to participate.

03/02/2022

Take what you need, leave what you can 💙💛

Stop by to visit the Little Free Pantry built by Josh Schwartz for his Eagle Scout project.

It is located in the parking lot and open 24/7 for drop off and pick up.

Josh created this pantry to promote neighbors helping neighbors in the spirit of community and sharing.

Big thank you to Josh and our community for keeping this pantry filled.

02/02/2022

Cookies for a Cure! 🍪💕

Local young lady is using her baking skills for good!

Molly is raffling off an adorable sweet assortment of to raise money for Relay for Life.

Please take a look and help Molly and her team knock out cancer!

Each $10 donation gives you the chance to win!

Donate by Feb 10th by Venmo -love or https://tinyurl.com/MLoveRelayforLife2022

👊

01/02/2022

Cranford FD to the rescue! 🐶

At the end of last week, CFD responded to a call of a dog in the river near High St.

Firefighter Matt Steitz and Firefighter Adrian
Taberna suited up, entered the water and pulled Buster the dog to safety.

Buster was taken to the Rescue truck to be warmed and dried and then to the Cranford Vet Hospital to be evaluated.

Happy to report he is doing well and reunited with his mom.

Grateful to the Good Samaritan who spotted Buster and made the emergency call and for bringing Buster to safety.

31/01/2022

❤️Stop by this sweet Free Little Library that’s ready for Vday! 📚

Located on Hillcrest Ave, donations have been pouring in keeping this little gem filled with books for all!

Thank you to the creators of this as well as the community for stocking it!

30/01/2022

Cranford neighbors always bring the sunshine on snowy days! ❄️💙💛☀️

On the Cranford Moms FB page, nominations were requested for neighbors who showed acts of kindness during the snowstorm and within hours there are already almost 20 entries!

It is so nice to read the stories that show the kindness that runs through our community, from clearing out all the sidewalks in a neighborhood to digging out cars without being asked.

Thank you to all of those wonderful neighbors!

If you’d like to share a story please do so below 👇🏻

28/01/2022

Make way for the Girl Boss!! 🌟

This inspiring local young lady is following in her mother’s entrepreneurial footsteps.

She created and is using her creativity to produce awesome items for us! First up are Valentine’s inspired crayons (non toxic of course).

Not only is she creating cool items, she wants to give back as well. Each month or two she will be donating 10% of her sales to a charity that focuses on helping children! First choice is “Stomp out Bullying” 💕💕

Check out her page and let’s follow her journey.

What a star!! 🤩🤩

Girl Boss Customs

27/01/2022

Here is a fun idea for the snowstorm this weekend ❄️❄️❄️

SNOW ICE CREAM!!

**make sure to use clean snow!

Send your pics to Science Activities (and more!)] and us here so we can feature some of your creations!

Thanks to Science Activities (and more!)] for sharing!

26/01/2022

Local hero shout out! ⛑

Our courageous First Aid Squad set a record in 2021 by responding to 1,414 calls - an average of almost 4 per day.

They transported patients to 13 different hospitals in the surrounding area.

Busiest shift was Saturday daytime with almost a quarter of all calls.

Majority of calls included sick person/pandemic related calls, fall victims, and motor vehicle accidents.

Reminder- these folks are volunteers!! The squad relies entirely on donations from the general public.

Visit their page for more info on how to help them help you!!!

Thank you for your service!!

25/01/2022

Representing Cranford & NJ! 💙💛

Three 2017 Cranford High School alumni, Brian Curci, Jessie Gaeta, and Brian McAuliffe, were selected to compete for Team New Jersey at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games!!

They will be competing in Soccer,Swimming & Basketball in Orlando Florida June 5-12th. ⚽️🏊‍♀️🏀

The games unite over 5,500 athletes from all across America and the Caribbean, a true honor.

Other amazing news, Bob McAuliffe, Brian’s dad, was selected to coach the Team New Jersey Basketball Team & Mike Gaeta, Jessie’s brother, was selected to be the Unified partner for golf athlete.

Check out the full article in the Feb issue of Cranford Monthly! Cranford Monthly

We can also show support by visiting TeamNJ.org to help these athletes on their journey for GOLD 🥇

Congrats & good luck, we are so proud of you!!

24/01/2022

Are you looking for ways to give back?
Do you love putting a smile on a senior citizen’s face?
Have an extra hour 1x per week?

If yes then here is the perfect opportunity for you!

Catholic Charities Senior Shopping Program is in need of volunteer food shoppers for homebound seniors in Union County, New Jersey.

This program has been a lifesaver for many frail elderly and for seniors who have health risks.

The seniors are so grateful to the volunteers for providing this essential food service.

Check out the link below to get info on helping seniors in our town!

https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp3351798.jsp

22/01/2022

Ok Cranford let’s do it! A local hero and his family need our help! 💙💛

Amanda Langner-Hurewitz, wife of Cranford Firefighter Robert Hurewitz, has launched a GoFundMe to save their home after severe medical complications have ended his career.

Please visit the below site to read the full story and donate if you can. Thank you!

https://gofund.me/e460a236

21/01/2022

In true Cranford fashion, the town rallied around the reopening of The Gourmet Deli after a tough bout with Covid.

Residents donated over $8K to ensure this town favorite sticks around! 💙💛

20/01/2022

Every now and then, no matter the temperature, a local woman walks up and down Walnut Avenue near the underpass and picks up debris.

I don’t know her but she deserves a big shout out for keeping our town looking beautiful!! 🌳 thank you!

19/01/2022

Hi Cranford Residents,

This page was created for us to share and enjoy positive stories that happen in our town.

Please message us with any good news that you've seen or encountered so we can share!

From a neighbor helping you out, to a local business going above and beyond...help spread positive vibes so we can live each day on the Sunnyside!