E751 VercammenLaw News

1 Ken V at American Bar Association Leadership Conference with ABA President

2 Kars for Kids exposed as not providing most donations to local children

3 April is National Donate Life Month- Organ Donation

4 Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Facts

5 Recent cases PCR needed to be filed in original court

6 Challenge to DWI operation rejected

7 Search of vehicle without warrant rejected here

8 Edison Elks Community Pool Applications available

9 Photo STA Hall of Famers receive awards

10 Newspaper photo from Scranton Times with Boston Marathon finishers

1 Ken V at American Bar Association Leadership Conference with ABA Executive Director Alpha M. Brady, ABA Chair Elect Barbara J. Howard and Michelle A. Behnke, ABA President

2 Kars for Kids exposed as not providing most donations to local children

Kars4Kids: Investigations and lawsuits attack billion-dollar nonprofit Article by Asbury Park Press

Joe Strupp

Lakewood-based Kars4Kids, cemented in the brains of millions by that ubiquitous radio jingle, has built a multi-million-dollar fundraising empire based on the simple premise of car donations to benefit children.

While that happy jingle burrows into our brains, the charity is spending more than two-thirds of its millions in annual revenue on advertising and overhead, a practice a national expert called "absolutely unacceptable." In addition, Kars4Kids has faced government investigations in multiple states for deceptive promotion.

source:

https://www.app.com/story/news/investigations/2026/03/04/how-kars4kids-runs-a-near-billion-dollar-enterprise-and-who-is-suing-google-california-minnesota/88393632007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z112416p117750n00----l000250c00----e1171xxv112416b0048xxd004865&gca-ft=183&gca-ds=sophi

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Investigations and lawsuits show that Kars4Kids often uses the majority of donations on advertising, overhead, and grants to its sister organization Oorah, rather than direct services for children. Records indicate a significant percentage of funds are used to pay for its ubiquitous advertising campaigns, leading to warnings from charity watchdogs regarding high operational costs.

Kars4Kids is often criticized for misleading advertising and high overhead costs, with investigations revealing that donations primarily fund a "sister charity," Oorah, which operates religious programs for Orthodox Jewish youth in NY/NJ, rather than broad, local children’s charities. Major complaints include funding, the lack of local impact outside the Northeast, and high, potentially deceptive, marketing spending

https://blog.charitywatch.org/kars4kids-and-oorah-face-new-class-action-lawsuit-alleging-donor-deception/

3 April is National Donate Life Month- Organ Donation

The New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network (NJ Sharing Network) works to educate New Jersey residents year round about the critical need for more organ and tissue donors. The month of April, associated with renewal and spring, is also National Donate Life Month

Established in 2003, Donate Life Month features local, regional and national educational activities designed to encourage Americans to become organ and tissue donors. We recommend all NJ citizens between 18 and 80 have a Living Will/ Advance Directive prepared. Select organ donation in your Living Will.

Nationally, more than 110,000 people wait for a life-saving transplant—close to 5,000 of them are here in New Jersey. For many, tragically, the gift will never be received. Nearly 6,000 people die a year – about 18 per day – awaiting the gift of life.

One of the most important life-saving decisions you can make is to become a registered donor. Say “yes” to donation on your New Jersey driver license or state ID when you first apply for and each time you renew. The words “Organ Donor” will appear on the front of your license and will be included in your computer record with the Motor Vehicle Commission. Not renewing anytime soon? You can register online today by visiting www.sharenj.org.

NJ Sharing Network is a non-profit, federally designated organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue for New Jersey residents in need of life-saving transplants. For information about donation and transplantation in NJ, contact 1-800-SHARE-NJ or info@sharenj.org

In the field of organ donation, limited supply is heavily outweighed by enormous demand. Kidneys are the most needed organ, with almost 90,000 Americans on a national waiting list as of September. Only 27,000 kidney transplants were performed in all of 2023. An average of 12 people die each day waiting for a new kidney.

3 Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Facts

I was successful college athlete and never skipping a training day Over the years, I continued entering road races and attempting to win my age group each weekend. Unfortunately, when I passed age 50 decades of running, karate, volleyball, soccer and working out wore out the cartilage in my knee. I had micro fracture surgery in 2010 to attempt to fix my knee. The knee improved for a short time, but I was back to the hospital. The fine doctors at University Orthopedic advised of a new FDA approved procedure and medical study.

I volunteered for this medical study for knee cartilage repair. The knee doctor inserted a cadaver cartilage piece in left knee. The study was funded by Zimmer Pharmaceutical. I am now a recipient of an organ donation.

I thank the family of the kind and generous donation of living tissue. I want the family and public to know their decision to donate has changed my life in a very positive way.

I will never be winning the races again, but I am happy to run and bike daily. I am now able to run charity 5k races without pain. I urge friends to sign organ donor card and have a Living Will prepared.

What is National Donate Life Month? Originally a weeklong observance, it was officially recognized as a month-long event. The celebration commemorates those who have received or continue to wait for life-saving transplants and honors those who died while waiting.

Who can be a donor? People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves potential donors. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissue can be donated.

Does my religion support organ and tissue donation? Every major religion in the United States supports organ and tissue donation as one of the highest expressions of compassion and generosity.

Is there a cost to be an organ, eye and tissue donor? There is no cost to the donor’s family or estate for donation. The donor family pays only for medical expenses before death and costs associated with funeral arrangements.

Does my social and/or financial status play any part in whether or not I will receive an organ if I ever need one? No. When you are on the transplant waiting list for a donor organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, body size, tissue type, blood type and other important medical information.

Why should I register to be an organ and tissue donor? Organ and tissue transplants offer patients a new chance at healthy, productive, and normal lives and return them to their families, friends and communities. To learn more or to register to become an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org. Also contact your attorney to have a Living Will/ Advance Directive prepared

5 Recent cases PCR needed to be filed in original court State v Gallagher

Defendant appealed his sentence after pleading guilty to DWI. On appeal, the defendant argued the trial court erred in not affording him the opportunity to be heard regarding the challenge to the accuracy of the driver's abstract related to a 1990 DWI; a motion for PCR is not the appropriate recourse for this matter; and the state retained the burden to prove the accuracy of the 1990 DWI on the driver's abstract. The Appellate Division affirmed the sentence. Unreported source Daily Briefing 12-29-25

Full opinion at Criminal Law- Recent Cases Vercammen Law https://njcriminallaw.blogspot.com/2026/02/pcr-needed-to-be-filed-in-original.html

6 Challenge to DWI operation rejected State v Mulligan

The defendant Thomas J. Mulligan appealed from the Law Division's order convicting him of DWI. On appeal, the defendant challenged only the DWI conviction, arguing that he did not operate the vehicle and was not impaired. The Appellate Division disagreed and affirmed the lower court. Source Daily Briefing - 1-2-26

Full opinion at Criminal Law- Recent Cases Vercammen Law https://njcriminallaw.blogspot.com/2026/02/challenge-to-dwi-operation-rejected.html

7 Search of vehicle without warrant rejected here State v Dorisme

The state appealed from a Law Division order granting the defendant Javante J. Dorisme's motion to suppress physical evidence seized during a warrantless search incident to arrest following a motor vehicle stop. The Appellate Division affirmed the lower court. Source Daily Briefing - 1-9-26

Full opinion at Criminal Law- Recent Cases Vercammen Law https://njcriminallaw.blogspot.com/2026/02/search-of-vehicle-without-warrant.html

8 Edison Elks Community Pool Applications available

We are excited to kick off the Season! Welcome to the Edison Elks Pool website at https://www.teamunify.com/team/njee/page/home. EEP is excited to bring the opportunity of pool membership to all those who value the community spirit. The pool is open for membership to Elk members, their families as well as all other local civic organizations such as but not limited to Moose, VFW, American Legion and their families. We also cannot exclude those who serve our community on a daily basis with the invite extended to Edison’s First Responders in Police, Fire and EMS along with their families. Active, retired Military, Veterans and families are also welcome while we appreciate your service and sacrifice to our nation. Feel free to contact us with any questions!

To keep nonprofit status to join the pool someone must join the Elks or be involved with one of these organizations.

Mission Aligned with the values and beliefs of the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks, Edison Elks Pool “EEP” will strive to provide a safe and comfortable atmosphere for everyone to enjoy in the spirit of community and summer fun. We believe in giving back to our community, supporting the growth of our youth, respect for those who serve, support for those in need and assisting those with handicaps.

Pool Membership

EEP is excited to bring the opportunity of pool membership to all those who value the community spirit. The season is open for membership to Elk members, their families as well as all other local civic organizations such as but not limited to Moose, VFW, American Legion and their families. We also cannot exclude those who serve our community on a daily basis with the invite extended to Edison’s First Responders in Police, Fire and EMS along with their families. Active, retired Military, Veterans and families are also welcome while we appreciate your service and sacrifice to our nation.

Pool Summary

The Edison Elks Pool is one of the oldest operating pools in the nation. It has been passed down by generations of the community of Edison. Many of Edison’s older residents remember it as Washington Swim Club where they would bring their families and enjoy the pool and large shady grove to BBQ in on weekends. They would also attend some of the many BBQ’s and Live music the Elks opens up to their guests. Today the pool is managed by a handful volunteers from the Edison Elks Lodge 2487 and their families to continue the spirit of community.

Edison Elks Pool Applications are at the Lodge

2025 Season

Located at:

375 Old Post Rd

Edison, NJ 08817

Membership

Membership: EEP is excited to bring the opportunity of membership to all those who value the community spirit. The 2025 season is open for membership to Elk members, all other civic organizations (Moose, VFW, American Legion, etc.), Active/Retired and military veterans and our local Police, Fire and EMS and their families as appreciation for your service to our community.

All membership applications will be evaluated for accuracy. Applications must be filled out in entirety to include sponsoring member information. A working phone number must be on every application in the event there are questions. Applications not filled out in entirety may be questioned or rejected for membership.

*Family (2 Adult parents and their children under 18 or still in college living at the same address)

**Family Extra (Grandparent or Caretaker)

Two complementary, 1-day guest passes (July, Aug) included. Guest passes available daily for $10pp.

Applications are taken online or in-person. In-person applications can be dropped off in the Pool Mailbox attached to the Pool building.

(Do Not Leave in Social Quarters)

Please email njeepool@gmail.com with questions.

Pool Facts

The pool holds almost 300,000 gallons of water. The deepest end of the pool is 12’ while the shallowest part is 3’. There is (4) 25yrd swim lanes from 12’ to 5’ deep. On each side of the swim lanes there is shallow section sloping from 5’ to 3’ deep. There are life jackets available. The pool is equipped with lounge chairs, but everyone is free to bring their own comfortable accommodations. The pool house offers a place to change and shower.

The Edison Elks are once again pleased to co-sponsor the Edison Community Pool, located on Old Post Road in Edison. They look forward to serving the Edison Community and surrounding areas this summer.

The Metuchen YMCA stopped helping the Edison Community Pool. To join the nonprofit pool, you need to join the Elks or Elks Auxiliary or be a member of one of the other groups. I have enjoyed my Community Elks membership in the Edison Elks for 25 years.

The Edison Community Pool located on Old Post Road in South Edison is surrounded by a wooded picnic area. The facility boasts a 25-yard, 4-lane pool, water slide.

Bathrooms with showers are conveniently located around the pool area. A playground make this swim club a place for family fun.

9 Photo St. Thomas Aquinas STA Hall of Famers receive Hall of Fame awards

St. Thomas Aquinas HS adds the 1975 undefeated cross country team to school's Athletic Hall of Fame.

Team members in photo Ken Vercammen, State Champ Chris Heiser, Ken Dillon & Bob Dillon. Staff Athletic Director Matt Silvestri, School Principal Augustus Modla back row Kevin Sacco, President

The 1975 team stands as one of the most dominant squads in program history. Their depth and consistency were unmatched, placing four runners in the top four in 13 of 15 races.

Great event for STA Friday, April 17, 2026

My sister posted some photos on her Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10232484776372097&set=pcb.10232484826133341

10 Congratulations to fellow runners who qualified and ran the Boston Marathon.

When I ran, qualification time was 2:58.

We had 7 runners when I was at the University of Scranton that ran the Marathon.

Newspaper photo from Scranton Times with Boston Marathon finishers

Ray Miller, Jim Haggerty, John Kalinich, Tim Walsh,

Ken Vercammen all in photo, plus Joe Haggerty and Mike Brennan.