Sheila Harvey Makes Things Special in Atlantic City
By Clyde Hughes | AC JosepH Media
ATLANTIC CITY — Few people love Atlantic City like Sheila Harvey and she gets to celebrate the city on a regular basis as AC’s Director of Special Events.
Harvey was all smiles after the annual Atlantic City Winter Wonderland Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 2.
Harvey has worked for the city government in Atlantic City for more than 25 years. A graduate of Atlantic City High School, she said she enjoys showing off the tourist town.
“It gives me great joy to still be here and able to do what I do here,” Harvey told Front Runner New Jersey after Saturday’s parade. “You have to have a passion to do what we do here.
Harvey said she is an unabashed Atlantic City cheerleader and wants to make sure that people see the positive side of the community instead of the negative that seems to make the headlines in the news media.
“I just love Atlantic City,” Harvey said. “I love to do what I do. When you have a gift, a spirit to put smiles on people’s faces, especially people who have lost loved ones, it is our job and our responsibility to do just that. We want to give back to our community and just put a smile on people’s faces.
“We are hometown-grown but we embrace every culture and community and that’s what you saw here.”
This year’s holiday parade attracted award-winning actor Kelsey Grammer, who served as grand marshal. The six-time Emmy Award winner helped Atlantic City residents and tourists bring in the holiday season.
Harvey said she hopes that Grammer and others saw what she gets to see every day in Atlantic City.
“Our biggest secret is that we are a hidden treasure,” Harvey said. “We are filled with the diverse culture of many communities. It’s 48 blocks long, but within those 48 blocks, there’s so much to do. You just need to come by and see and it’s here.
“We are a close, committed community that supports everyone. We just have a love for it.”
Harvey has loved Atlantic City through the tough times for her family as well. Earlier this year, she was able to see the man convicted in the death of her son, Saleem Tolbert, get a 20-year prison sentence.
Saleem Tolbert died of gun violence on July 6, 2010. It was a cold case until 2019 when Wright was captured in a second shooting death where he came to light as the main suspect in Tolbert’s death.
“We as a family will continue to live out his life; his legacy he left behind,” Harvey said in court on March 2 during Wright’s sentencing, according to Breaking AC.
Harvey continues to live that legacy and sharing it with others in the city.
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