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ECLC hoopsters beat Chatham

Sep 28, 2025

The ECLC basketball team defeated members of the Chatham football team in a charity fundraiser at Chatham High School. Everyone had a great time as both teams showed off their talents on the court. ECLC won 68-60. Check out highlights and interviews below.

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Curci Scores Six in Varsity debut

Sep 28, 2025

Shining Stars

Shining Stars Founder Sally Curci Honored

Sep 28, 2025

Sally Curci, with husband Mike Curci, received a "Pride of Cranford" Award of Outstanding Merit.

The special needs community has been a big part of Sally Curci’s life for many years and she was recently honored with a "Pride in Cranford" Award of Outstanding Merit from the Cranford Chamber of Commerce for her longtime volunteer work in the community.

Blessed with four beautiful children, two with special needs, Sally has not only been an advocate for her own children, but a tireless advocate for other families as well, giving special needs children an opportunity to flourish on many levels. Sally is a firm believer that no child should be limited by their disability, but encouraged by their abilities.

She founded Cranford’s first Young Athlete Program, a weekly program which introduces and develops skills for future Special Olympics competition. The program, which began nearly ten years ago, continues to flourish. "There is nothing like seeing a child conquer a skill after much trepidation. To see their smiles and sense of accomplishment on their faces is priceless.” Sally also coaches Special Olympics soccer, tennis and basketball for the New Jersey Hawks.

Sally was a committee person for Autism Speaks “Walk Now For Autism”, for many years, as well as founder, captain and top fundraiser for the community team, "Cranford Cares for Our Kids.” She also participates and was a top fundraiser for the National Down Syndrome’s "Buddy Walk of South Plainfield.”

But one of Sally's most memorable and satisfying achievements came five years ago, when she directed Cranford's first-ever special needs talent show, "An Evening of Shining Stars," where over $2,000.00 was raised for the ARC of Union County. Since that time, Shining Stars has donated nearly $10,000.00 to the Arc while also giving out scholarships to Shining Stars performers who are advancing their education after high school.

Each show, which features over 30 acts, continues to play to a sold out audience. "It was an amazing experience for everyone involved, hearing the participants tell me it was one of the best nights of their life is something I will always treasure. The success of the show just further proves to me that our children can do anything they set their minds to. We just need to give them the opportunities to do so."

Sally was also the 2012 recipient of the prestigious Betty McGhee "Spirit of the Arc" Award -- presented by the Arc of Union County -- for her continued efforts in helping those with special needs, and has also been honored by the Cranford Board of Education for her effort and dedication to the Cranford community.

Another proud accomplishment for Sally, along with her husband and two teenage children at the time, was producing, “What’s On Your Mind: Let Me Inside” -- a song devoted to families raising a child with autism. The song is still featured on iTunes, with all proceeds donated towards autism research.

Shining Stars has recently launched a new web site which features video and articles highlighting great stories from the special needs community. You can access their site at www.shiningstarsnetwork.org.