Under the guidance and assistance of the South Jersey (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, Eastern Area Director Thelma Hardiman of Buffalo, New York, and National President Pauline A. Ellison, the Rancocas Valley (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was organized and chartered on October 26, 1974, in Burlington, New Jersey, at the home of Dr. Allen C. Akins and Marie Verna Akins.  On that evening, all eighteen women of the Central Jersey Women’s Club were inducted into The Links, Incorporated, thus forming the Rancocas Valley (NJ) Chapter.  To their surprise, the founder Sarah Strickland Scott, who lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, attended the chartering ceremony and festivities.

Charter members of the Rancocas Valley (NJ) Chapter were as follows:

  * Marie V. Akins                       * Catherine Johnson       * Alma Singleton

              *Clara Bennett                             June McRae                          Alice Smith

              Gwendolyn Chaires          * Evelyn Middleton                   Lucinda Townes

* Natalie Davis                            Ethel Payne                    * Gwendolyn Tunsil

   Evelyn Duck               * Ruth Phillips                        * Bonnie Williams

* Minnie Henry                       *Mattilyn Rochester             * Hallie Williams

  *Deceased Charter Members

Rancocas Valley Links Today

There are 38 active members, 3 Platinum Members, and 3 Alumna Members.

The current membership of the Rancocas Valley (NJ) Chapter consists of accomplished, dedicated women of Burlington County who are active in the community. They are newsmakers, role models, mentors, doctors, lawyers, activists, and volunteers working to make the name "The Links, Incorporated" a chain of friendship and purposeful service. They serve as a resource through programs, partnerships, and sponsors to build stronger communities in Burlington County. Thus, their mission is to support the community's needs and provide assistance through programs, services, and resources to improve the lives of African Americans and those of African descent in Burlington County.

Participant surveys measure this mission's effectiveness and relevance. The members of the Rancocas Valley (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated contribute more than 4,000 or more documented hours of community service in Burlington County annually and consistently strive to reach a higher goal.

Community Service

The Rancocas Valley (NJ) Chapter of the Links Incorporated renders community service through strategically planned programs and activities, partnerships with other organizations with like-minded goals, and individual initiatives geared toward enriching, sustaining, and ensuring African Americans' culture and economic survival in Burlington County. Depending upon and using the human resources, expertise, and commitment of the chapter members and partners to fulfill the mission, we implement programs through five program facets, The Arts, Health and Human Services, International Trends and Services, National Trends and Human Services, and Services to Youth. 

For several years, the Rancocas Valley (NJ) Chapter organized  Project Lead in Willingboro and Burlington, New Jersey, in which approximately one hundred (100) students were serviced at each site. One highlight was visiting The National Headquarters of The Links Incorporated in Washington, DC, when it was first opened. 

Our annual Mothers' Day Breakfast is our chapter's signature and flagship event. It has been held annually for over forty (40) years. This program honors Christian mothers identified as Unsung Heroes. The women are selected for outstanding contributions to their community, church, and family without expecting special recognition. They are often the beloved matriarchs of their families. We also provide scholarships annually to high school graduates who attend college. The Rancocas Valley (NJ) Chapter has participated in purchasing Water Wells in Africa and contributed to purchasing an African school. In addition, we have sent school supplies supporting the School in A Box program. 

Other noteworthy and transformational programs we have had over the last 49 years that impacted the communities at large are as follows:

• African Heritage Film Festival is a monthly film showing of international issues in which we partner with the Willingboro Public Library in Willingboro, New Jersey.

• Afternoon of Music” is a program held annually, especially for Senior Citizens, in which we partner with the Center for Aging in Willingboro, New Jersey.

• Black History Art and Essay Contest is an annual program to educate and inform students and the public about the achievement of African Americans in which we partner with the Oliver Cromwell Historical Society of Burlington, New Jersey.

• “Bright Smiles” is the dental screening program for youth in which we partner with Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures.

• Fighting Obesity is a program to educate the students and parents about the pitfalls of obesity, healthy meals, and snacks, portion control, exercise, and more.

• Fresh Start Program is a weekly mentoring program developed especially for middle school youth and upper elementary youth.

• Gift of Life Organ Donor Program is an informational program about organ donation held annually at local churches in Burlington County, New Jersey.

• Giving Projects include projects to give back to the community such as the following:  backpacks filled with school supplies to local schools; Christmas baskets for families in need; winter wear (jackets, hats, gloves and scarves) to local schools; and toys and books to local schools.

• Haiti Project is a program that enables members to donate personal items for women and babies.

• HBCU College Tours Health Fair is an informative health education program held annually in partnership with Health Care Agencies of Burlington County, New Jersey, and with the Tom Joyner Morning Show.

• Jazz Social is our annual fund-raising event where the public is invited to enjoy an afternoon of fine dining and jazz.

• Jamaica Mission Project is a program that enables Links Sisters to work in schools and hospitals in the country of Jamaica.

• Model United Nations Program is a high school youth participation program to foster the teaching of organization and working of the United Nations in which we partner with the YMCA of Burlington City, New Jersey.

• Poster Art Contest is a program which enables youth to enter their art in local and national contest sponsored by The Links, Inc.

• Running and Winning is a program to encourage females to get involved in politics

• “Sister Will You Help Me” is an African American Cancer Survivor Support Group which we partner with on a monthly basis.

• STEM activities are sponsored by the Services to Youth Facet to help students get involved with science, technology, engineering and, mathematics.

• Voter Registration Drives encourages citizens to register to vote in local, county, state, and national elections.

• Youth Talent Showcase is a program that exposes the talents of youths in Burlington County, New Jersey.