Each year for the past 16 years the Philadelphia Flyers have held their Development Camp during the month of July and conclude the camp with their top prospects and camp invitees coming to Stone Harbor, New Jersey for a day of training, team-bonding and interaction with fans. Flyers Director of Sports Medicine, Jim McCrossin, led the team in a series of activities throughout the day. Jim’s wife, Robyn, coordinated the day-long activities and was responsible for the fund raising events during the autograph signing and volleyball sessions. The activities this year were dedicated to Past Post 331 Commander, Al Carusi, who died last year. Through Al’s efforts, each year for the past eight years the proceeds of the Flyers Trial on the Isle activities are donated to the Veterans Haven South Veterans Home in Winslow Township. Past Department of New Jersey Commander Michael C. Babli, Jr, as project lead for the home’s donations, participated with Post 331 members in support of this year’s Flyers events. This year $10,000 was donated to Veterans Haven South.
The day’s activities started with the welcome by Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters and members of American Legion Post 331. At mid-afternoon, the Flyers met and signed autographs for fans in the Stone Harbor Elementary School. Post 331’s WWII and Korean War veterans were present to help greet the fans. The day’s activities ended on the beach with the volleyball team competitions. American Legion Post 331 provided the Color Guard during the singing of the National Anthem at the start of the matches.
