CompleteCare Foundation Honors Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly as Cumberland County Legend at Event
Photo courtesy of Gateway CAP Facebook.
Dawn Hunter, of Vineland Chamber, and Cole the Deaf Dog Also Honored
AC JosepH Media
VINELAND — On Thursday, May 15, community members from across Cumberland County gathered to recognize longtime Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly and two others as Cumberland County Legends at the Merighi’s Savoy Inn.
The annual Cumberland County Legends Awards, a celebration hosted by the CompleteCare Health Foundation, recognizes individuals whose dedication, compassion, and leadership have strengthened the fabric of the community and uplifted countless lives.
Along with Kelly, the founder of Gateway Community Action Partnership, the awards honored Vineland Chamber of Commerce’s Dawn Hunter and Cole the Deaf Dog. Organizers said they represent the very best of Cumberland County’s spirit: service, resilience, and a commitment to making life better for others.
The Legends Awards, now more than a decade strong, support the mission of the CompleteCare Foundation, established in 2015 to raise essential funds for programs that improve the well-being of vulnerable residents served by CompleteCare Health Network.
Through community generosity, the Foundation continues to champion initiatives that promote health, dignity, and opportunity for all.
Meet the 2026 Cumberland County Legends Honorees
Albert Kelly has long been one of Bridgeton’s most influential civic leaders. He made history in 2010 when he became the city’s first African American mayor, winning 76% of the vote and later securing a second term unopposed.
Beyond public office, Kelly is the Founder and CEO of Gateway Community Action Partnership, one of New Jersey’s largest anti-poverty organizations, serving more than 56,000 low to moderate-income residents across multiple counties.
His leadership extends statewide — Kelly has served as President of the New Jersey League of Municipalities, sits on numerous community and economic development boards, and has been recognized at local, state, and national levels for his commitment to human services.
Since 2010, Dawn S. Hunter has served as executive director of the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce, overseeing more than 410 member businesses and championing economic growth throughout the region.
Hunter holds degrees in Business Management and Travel & Tourism and has lived in Vineland for more than 20 years.
Her leadership extends far beyond the Chamber — she serves on the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce Alliance, the Rowan College of South Jersey Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee, and multiple Vineland-based community boards.
Her volunteerism is equally distinguished: she spent a decade as a “Big Sister” with Big Brothers Big Sisters and is an active member and leader within the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Cole the Deaf Dog is a therapy dog and disability advocate. Cole, a deaf pit bull once deemed “broken,” has become one of the region’s most beloved ambassadors for inclusion, compassion, and disability awareness.
Adopted in 2017 by Vineland music teacher Chris Hannah, Cole quickly demonstrated an extraordinary ability to connect with children and adults through American Sign Language and emotional intuition.
He works daily at Dr. William Mennies Elementary School as a certified therapy dog, helping students embrace differences and build confidence. Cole’s impact extends across the tri-state area through school assemblies, hospice visits, and veteran outreach — earning him the Presidential Silver Service Award.
A Night To Celebrate Community
As the CompleteCare Foundation continues its mission to support the region’s most vulnerable residents, events like this remind us that community health is built not only through medical care, but through the everyday acts of service and kindness that these Legends exemplify.
For more information about the event or past honorees, visit the CompleteCare Foundation website.
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