CHAMBER CHOICE AWARDS

The Chamber Board of Directors in 1997 determined to honor Members,Business and Civic Leaders and/or Organizations for exceptional and outstanding accomplishments. 

The HONOR ROLL of recipients to date follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EAST BRUNSWICK
REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

President’s Message - Charles Heppel

           The East Brunswick Regional Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation was incorporated in November 1999 as a separate Chamber entity with the goal of giving back to the community.

            Local business people and merchants, members of the Chamber and Foundation, have sponsored a number of community causes, including the following education related programs:  The David J. Germain, Sr. Memorial Community Service Scholarships have been awarded to graduating high school seniors for the past thirty-nine years.  (Some programs, such as the Germain Scholarships predate the Foundation’s existence, but today they are sustained by our charitable arm.)  The Dr. Michael and Marlene Nissenblatt Scholarship Awards, established in 2004, are given to medical students pursuing their education in conventional western and/or traditional Chinese Medicine.  We will be honoring our 2011 scholarship award winners this evening.

            The Foundation provides for community service programs in the greater East Brunswick area, including:  The Gently Used Winter Coat Program for the Needy and The Cell Phones to School Crossing Guards Program.  In the East Brunswick, Milltown, South River and Spotswood communities we sponsor the cost for deserving children to attend our local YMCA camp each summer and provide food and holiday gifts to families in need; we support our local communities’ rescue squads; we contribute to the local Boy and Girl Scout troops; and we also provide gifts to other not-for-profit organizations.

            The Dan Bonamici Community Service Award was established in honor of the Foundation’s first Treasurer, who passed away in 2003. The 2011 Bonamici Award was given to the Spotswood High School DUI Crash.  The Bonamici funds also benefit Spotswood High School students and seniors, the Spotswood Police Academy, the DARE program and the Spotswood Police Department to assist in their community policing program.

            We care very much about the community in which we work and live.  Local business people recognize that the more they become involved in their working communities, the greater will be the benefit to all.

            As your President for the last ten years, I have had the privilege to work with a group of the nicest, most caring and hardest working people you could find.  We function as a team, and I thank everyone for all we have accomplished together.

EAST BRUNSWICK REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CHARITABLE FOUNDATION CHAMBER CHOICE AWARD

MARYELLEN FIRESTONE

In July 2009, MaryEllen Firestone was named Director of the East Brunswick Public Library.  Prior to her appointment as Director, MaryEllen, a twenty year library employee, served for seven years as Assistant Director.  Today, Ms. Firestone leads one of the state’s most popular public libraries.  East Brunswick Public Library is a single location library that circulates one million items every thirteen months. 

MaryEllen began her tenure as Director during a period of great economic turmoil.  Her goal as Director is to preserve the core services of the library and not allow budget constraints to have a negative impact on future programs and services.  Her reaction to the challenging economic times has been to create a Library Foundation that will secure private dollars to help fund future library initiatives.  MaryEllen, along with the Library Board of Trustees, has formulated a new strategic plan for the library, which will guide library services for the next five years.  The plan surveyed East Brunswick residents to learn what services residents were most interested in maintaining or enhancing.  The residents of East Brunswick love their library and enjoy the variety of events, programs, technology and information provided to them by the library staff.  Ms. Firestone is confident that the library will always be responsive to resident needs.

MaryEllen graduated from Fordham University, where she majored in English.  She received her Master’s degree in library science from Rutgers.  In the 1980s, MaryEllen worked as a corporate reference librarian in Manhattan.  She became a public librarian after working at Middlesex County College and joined the township library in 1990, after moving to New Jersey with her family. MaryEllen and her husband Howard reside in East Brunswick, where they raised their children Robert, Susan and John.

MaryEllen is a strong supporter of adult literacy programs, having been "hooked on literacy" since she led her first English Conversation Group in the fall of 1996.  New Americans turn to libraries to learn about their adopted country and to help them become citizens.  In 1981, the 24 libraries of Middlesex County formed a separate non-profit literacy organization, Literacy Programs of New Jersey (LPNJ), to carry out their joint mission.  LPNJ’s mandated goals are

“to enable adult native speakers of English and those whose native language is not English to acquire the necessary basic skills in reading, speaking and writing English, thereby empowering them to participate more fully in the daily tasks of family, school, job and community.”

Ms. Firestone has been a Board member for Literacy Programs of New Jersey for ten years.  During the past fifteen years, with the increased influx of immigrants, demands for literacy services have overwhelmed the infrastructure of all literacy providers in the state.  To better assist its clients and accommodate increasing demands for service, LPNJ expanded its tutoring program, adding small groups, conversation groups, and family literacy classes.

            As President of the Board of Directors from 2005-2010, Ms. Firestone guided Literacy Programs of New Jersey through a strategic planning process, creating a new business model to enable the organization to secure new revenue streams. Under her leadership, LPNJ executes two major fundraisers a year: a “Taking Steps for Literacy” walk in the spring and a fundraising gala in the fall. LPNJ has written grants and established an annual mail appeal.  Under Ms. Firestone's leadership, Literacy Programs of New Jersey moved into modern offices, established itself as a major literacy provider to families, and secured new partners in the fight to eradicate illiteracy in New Jersey. 

MaryEllen relates that Literacy Programs of New Jersey has served over 900 adults through its programs this past fiscal year and that all efforts are made so that the hundreds of adults seeking these programs may obtain them free of charge. 

            For her dedication to Literacy Programs of New Jersey and for her ongoing services to the community as Director of the East Brunswick Public Library, The Charitable Foundation proudly honors MaryEllen Firestone and we present her with a 2011 Chamber Choice Award.

 

EAST BRUNSWICK REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CHARITABLE FOUNDATION CHAMBER CHOICE AWARD

DIANE C. HUTCHINS

Diane C. Hutchins moved to Old Bridge, New Jersey in 1984.  Originally from Stuttgart, Arkansas, she has previously lived in several southern and mid-western states.  Diane graduated from Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis with a B.S. degree in General Studies, with a concentration in accounting.  Subsequently, she completed an MBA program at Farleigh Dickinson University. Diane earned an ESL Teaching Certificate from Middlesex County College.  She is the proud mother to three grown sons, Jerrod, Tim, and Andrew. 

When her boys were growing up, Diane’s activities were focused on her sons and their interests.  She served as Cub-master for Pack 64 and Committee Chairperson for Troop 129 in Old Bridge. 

Today, Jerrod is with NOAA and serves on the Okeanos, a research ship, in the Pacific.  Tim is married and resides in Spotswood with his family, where he volunteers monthly at the Crisis Room Food Pantry.  Andrew, who lives at home, is also a Crisis Room volunteer.

Diane is a Certified Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church.  She has taught Sunday school for 15 years.  She currently serves as the President of the United Methodist Women and is on the Board of Directors of the Gateway Christian Pre-School at Aldersgate.

Since 2002, Diane has been Director of the Crisis Room Food Pantry.  For nearly 30 years, the Crisis Room ministry has been one of Aldersgate’s most effective programs of outreach and Christian service to the Central New Jersey community.  Families from Middlesex County area can get food, clothing and financial assistance from the Crisis Room with no questions asked.  Social service agencies in the area recommend families who need financial help.  Today the Crisis Room is a separate ministry of the church.

Clothing and food are donated by church families and other churches, organizations and individuals throughout the year.  Funding comes from Aldersgate, Trinity Presbyterian Church, private donations and some other programs.

During Diane’s time of service, the number of families served by the Food Pantry has steadily increased.  The program continued to grow, especially after the Crisis Room program partnered with the Community Food Bank.  Over 600 families are registered at this time.  Using her ESL training, Diane and other volunteers together established an English as a Second Language class as part of this program.

Additionally, Diane teaches ESL students during two 12-week sessions held at the Old Bridge Public Library.  In her spare time, Diane enjoys reading and tries to keep her calendar and schedule up-to-date.

For her community projects and her assistance to others, The Charitable Foundation is proud to present Diane C. Hutchins with a 2011 Chamber Choice Award. 

 

EAST BRUNSWICK REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CHARITABLE FOUNDATION CHAMBER CHOICE AWARD

SHARI LEVY MAMMANO

Shari Levy Mammano is a volunteer extraordinaire; Shari participates in many local charitable and business organizations.  When Shari joins a group, she actively involves herself in its cause and she fervently commits herself to working on its behalf.  Shari is not content to be a member in name only. 

Employed by Alternative Integrated Medical Services, LLC (AIMS), of East Brunswick, New Jersey, Shari’s professional responsibilities pertain to overseeing all marketing and public relations for the alternative medical healthcare center.  As Director of The Wellness Foundation, a non-profit organization, Shari is in charge of providing health and wellness information at seminars and fairs.  She develops surveys to determine topics of interest for the foundation’s presentations.  

Shari’s commitment as a volunteer includes her support for the following causes.

• She is a Board member and an active volunteer in the newly formed East Brunswick Business Alliance.

• She became a member of the South River Board of Health in 2011.

• From 2000 to the present, Shari has participated in the W&G Women’s Networking Group.

• She is a Committee member for Wine and Roses, a fundraising arm of the American Cancer Society.

• The East Brunswick Regional Chamber of Commerce enjoyed Shari’s participation as a board member from 2004 onward.  Shari served as a Vice President of this organization from 2006 to 2007 and worked on its Holiday Food Drive from 2001 to 2008.

• When the Chamber’s sister organization, The East Brunswick Regional Charitable Foundation came into existence, Shari enthusiastically supported its causes of giving back to East Brunswick and its related communities, as well as working on its annual dinner where foundation members honor business leaders, high school scholarship recipients and Nissenblatt medical scholars, as members raise funds for their future endeavors.

• In 2001, Shari commits herself to volunteer work on behalf of The Wellness Education Foundation’s Coat Drive.

• From 2007 to 2009, Shari was a committee chair of the Kick Cancer Program.

• Shari works for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and Strides programs.

• Shari participates in the American Heart Association, Toys for Tots, The Salvation Army and The New Jersey Food Bank.

Shari Levy Mammano originally hails from Brooklyn, New York.  She graduated from Brooklyn College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Sociology, along with a strong concentration of Mathematics courses.  Shari and her husband, Howard, reside in Manalapan.  This newlywed couple forms a blended family, with six children between them; Adam and wife Desiree; Jaime and fiancé Farid; and Stacie; Erik and wife Amy; Craig and wife Paia; and Kevin.  Shari and Howard have 6 grandchildren with 2 on the way and is the proud daughter of Helene Levy.

In 2006, The East Brunswick Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Charitable Foundation’s sister organization, recognized Shari as Volunteer-of-the-Year.  Not to be outdone, this year Shari’s fellow members of The East Brunswick Charitable Foundation honor Shari Levy Mammano for her prior and ongoing volunteer efforts she performs for her community.

We raise our glasses to our friend and associate, Shari Levy Mammano, as we say well done!  Shari, we wish you continued success in your life and in all your endeavors, as we honor you with a 2011 Chamber Choice Award. 

 

DR. MICHAEL AND MARLENE NISSENBLATT
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 2011

The Dr. Michael and Marlene Nissenblatt Scholarships are awarded to deserving graduates of New Jersey High Schools who are presently enrolled in traditional or non-traditional medical or related programs. These scholarships honor the Nisenblatts’ legacy of service and humanitarian contributions to our greater community and are intended for future caregivers who will bring the human touch back to the bedside.  The Charitable Foundation hopes that recipients of these scholarships will follow in the footsteps of Michael and Marlene.

This year, Foundation members selected Ashlee N. Geesey and Geoffrey B. Gordon to receive the prestigious $2,000 Nissenblatt Scholarships.  Ashlee and Geoffrey represent a breed of caregivers who display academic and people skills and who understand the need for a teamwork approach to navigate a health care system in which good communication skills are an important part of this process. 

 ASHLEE N. GEESEY’S alma maters are South River High School and Rutgers University.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Rutgers with a Bachelor of Science Degree focusing on Biological Sciences and South Asian Studies.  Currently, Ashlee is a student at the Newark campus of the University of Medicine and Dentistry.  She anticipates receiving her Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree in May 2014.

Michele Bardzinski, D.M.D., M.A., Associate Professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental, has known Ashlee since she started dental school.  Dr. Bardzinski was director for two of Ashlee’s freshman dental courses.  Dr. Bardzinski recommends Ashlee for a Nissenblatt Scholarship.  Dr. Bardzinski refers to Ashlee’s clinical exercises as she comments that “Ashlee always displayed a gentle, soft-spoken manner which allowed her dental ‘patient’ to feel at ease.  She is an excellent student and interacts well with faculty, staff and colleagues.”

In his letter of recommendation, Sanjay Arora, a Rutgers laboratory teaching assistant in Physics, cites Ashlee’s intellectual curiosity in diverse subjects ranging from genetics to theoretical physics and foreign cultures. Mr. Arora notes that even while serving as a tutor in general chemistry, Ashlee transmitted her enthusiasm to her fellow students about a career in dentistry.

Ashlee indicates in her narrative essay discussing “Bringing the Human Touch Back to the Bedside,” that her plans include connecting patients through art with the hope that the composites she contours and the amalgams she shapes create smiles that resonate.  Ashlee likens dentistry to a combination of science and art.  She believes that “Art is human, and dentistry is art …” She states that “the aesthetic aspects of her work” will convert patients’ “reluctance and trepidation to a healthy appreciation and respect for the science and skill that go into being a dentist.”

Ashlee suggests that instead of rushing in and out of the room and being puppets of insurance and pharmaceutical companies, doctors need to spend time explaining the ‘art’ of their profession, and with this special touch, those seeking medical and dental health care will feel more at home.

Members of the Foundation are proud to award Ashlee N. Geesley a 2011 Nissenblatt Scholarship, as we wish her much success in her chosen career path.

GEOFFREY B. GORDON, a Hoboken, NJ resident and former elementary, special education and English teacher, who received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Rutgers and a Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist from Montclair State University, has chosen a new career path.  As a student at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Geoffrey intends to fulfill his plans to become a practitioner of Oriental Medicine. 

Geoffrey loved his teaching career and he believed it would be his life’s work until fate intervened and changed his life’s course. Geoffrey became disabled from a mysterious syndrome, ultimately diagnosed as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.  Geoffrey’s personal healing journey led him to see the world in a different light.  As he healed, he developed interest in dedicating himself to introducing others to the program that helped him on his road to recovery.  This program, based on Chinese Medicine, emphasizes aspects of nature and natural laws. 

In February 2011, Geoffrey was accepted to work toward a joint Bachelor of Professional Studies/Master of Science degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine or Bachelor of Professional Studies/Master of Science degree in Acupuncture at the College of Oriental Medicine in New York.

Allison Musick, Student Services Coordinator at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine NY states that “Geoffrey makes our community richer and more valuable as he progresses with his education.”  She relates that Geoffrey’s presence is “uplifting and supportive to everyone he meets.”   Dr. Gina Lepore, Campus Director, refers to Geoffrey’s ability to translate his personal experience to helping others. She sees Geoffrey as a positive thinker, who is a warm and personable individual. Dr. Lepore adds that Geoffrey possesses an earnest soul, which will help him become “an impressive healer.”  With his dedication and persistence, Geoffrey will succeed.  He is someone willing to do what it takes to make ‘it’ happen.

In his narrative “Bringing the Human Touch Back to the Bedside,” Geoffrey’s positive spirit shines.  Years ago, his parents instilled in his heart the value of treating others the way he would want to be treated.  Because of this philosophy, Geoffrey sometimes feels at odds with today’s medical practitioners, questioning their tone when it comes to displaying compassion.  His personal health issues convinced Geoffrey that alternative medical practitioners best touched his soul.  They were the ones who listened and heard him.  They were the ones who ultimately assisted Geoffrey complete his healing journey.

Geoffrey strongly supports a holistic approach to medicine and he has his sights focused on teaching this philosophy to others.  His perspective is that treatment must transcend repairing bodily parts and organs.  Healing should include emotional, intellectual, and spiritual aspects as well.  Eastern medicine practitioners are very effective in treating the whole person with a great sense of compassion, an approach that Geoffrey believes modern medical practitioners sometimes overlook.  He intends to treat his future “clients” with an emphasis on the whole individual.

To assist him in his new career, The Foundation is pleased to present Geoffrey Gordon with a 2011 Nissenblatt scholarship

 

DAVID J. GERMAIN, SR. MEMORIAL
COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS 2011

Three graduates from South River High School, in a class of 178, were awarded 2011 David J. Germain, Sr. Memorial Community Service Scholarships to assist them in their college studies.  The Charitable Foundation’s selection criteria include academic achievement, financial consideration, leadership ability and extra-curricula school and community activities.

Taylor Bostonian will attend Northeastern University in Boston, MA this fall.  Her sterling academic performance at South River High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, led to her acceptance at Northeastern.  Taylor graduated from high school in the top 5% of her class.  She gained the respect of her teachers through hard work, self-motivation, excellent time management, enthusiasm, and participation in extra curricula activities.  Her high school counselor, Jeanne Veres, writes that Taylor exhibited a “creative sense of humor” and amiability with others.  Ms. Veres believes that Taylor “… is wise beyond her years and has the ability to bring out the positive attributes in others.”   

Throughout high school, Taylor took a rigorous program filled with Honors and Advanced Placement level courses. She was a member of both the school’s Student Council and the local Enhancement for the Community Program. Taylor coached a Pop Warner cheerleading squad and participated in several other varsity cheerleading squads.  She played on the Varsity Softball team.  Outside school, as a sophomore, Taylor spent time at Villanova University learning leadership skills.  She enrolled in a medical program for high school students. 

Taylor’s personal story is a compelling one.  She was raised in a single parent household. Taylor explained that “for the past thirteen years my father has spent various time periods absent from my life, missing important moments and events.”  Because of her father’s absence, Taylor became independent at an exceptionally young age.  She helped care for her younger sister while her mother worked to support the family.  Taylor did not come from a life without hardship, but she overcame obstacles, acquiring strength and tenacity as she dealt with adversity.

Taylor is an academician who developed into a leader encouraging those around her to do their best.  Adjectives such as consistent, determined, questioning, helpful, and motivated are used to describe her.  Taylor Bostonian is an exemplary, well-rounded young woman who has been deemed worthy of receiving a Germain Scholarship.

Kimberly Lukacs will beginherRamapo College education shortly. Graduating from South River High School with honors and advanced courses in several content areas, Kimberly was a member of the National Honor and German Honor Societies.  Besides her core program, Kimberly challenged herself taking electives in music and advanced wood working.  Kimberly became President of the German Club and Captain of the South River High School’s Marching Band. 

Kimberly served as Student Director of the Drama Club and her Drama Coach, Dominic Sposato noted that Kimberly used her “talent and creativity to foster positive working relationships with her peers, younger student protégés and adults.”

Kimberly was an avid reader from an early age comments South River’s Youth Services Librarian, Dawn Bladzinski.  To obtain her Girl Scout Gold Award, Kimberly chose a project that allowed her to apply her computer and technical skills to benefit the public library.   Kimberly spent many more than the required service hours designing, drafting and implementing a series of online tutorials to familiarize library users with subscription research databases.  Ms. Bladzinski notes that “many colleges and universities have not succeeded in providing such a valuable learning tool to their users.”  The beneficiaries of Kimberly’s skills have been the library staff and the public.  Kimberly’s Girl Scout project had a real world impact.

In autobiographical comments, Kimberly proudlydescribes herselfasthe daughter of teachers, commenting that although “…educators are not one of the highest paid positions in the state”her parentsshowed heritwas important to assist others who are less fortunate.   Kimberly’s early community service began with her participation in her church’s Sunday school’s International Children’s Welfare Group.  Kimberly contributed a dollar from her family every week to assist with the education, feeding and clothing of a girl in the Philippines. Over the years, Kimberly continued this tradition of giving, using money she earned from working in the local library.  Through her Sunday school class, Kimberly also participated in Heifer International, a program that sends cows and goats, and other animals to worldwide poverty stricken communities.  Locally, Kimberly joined the East Brunswick Young Adult Charity Players (EBYACP) and worked in programs benefiting Camp Daisy, a camp for individuals with special needs.  Additionally, she volunteered at a Food Bank during the summer and on school vacations.  Kimberly believes that “community service is the greatest act a person can hope to participate in.”

Kimberly Lukacs will use her Germain Scholarship to assist with the costs of her college education at Ramapo, in Mahwah, NJ, where she was accepted as a Communication Arts Major.

Kelly Elizabeth O’Connor is on her way to Lehigh University.  This National Honor Society student was ranked fifth in her South River class.  A well-rounded individual, Kelly played soccer and was captain of her cheerleading squad.  In all her endeavors, Kelly sought to be the best person that she could be.

Kelly, a multi-faceted teenager, went from high school cheerleading chants and shouts, to displaying her soccer athleticism, to returning home to her poetry journal or to involving herself in the newest recommended reading on Oprah’s Book Club list.  She organized blood drives and school functions as vice president of South River’s student government as eagerly as she put together party plans for her friends that same night.  Kelly used her talents in diverse ways. 

Kelly took a second place award in the New Jersey 2011 Voice of Democracy Competition, a contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Her list of school and civic activities included volunteering for the Wellness Education Foundation from 2008 to 2011.  During the same period, Kelly served as a volunteer in South River’s Food Bank and worked on behalf of her township’s Toys for Tots.  She participated in Walk for the Cure in 2010 and 2011.

Michael Baker, teacher of the Gifted and Talented Program at South River High School, wrote on behalf of Kelly, his student of four years.  He was also Kelly’s teacher in Advanced Placement Government and Politics.  Mr. Baker felt that Kelly demonstrated extensive knowledge of current events and displayed an “ability to speak and offer opinions about the great issues of our time.”  He added that Kelly went beyond what is typical at the high school level.  Her contributions were “helpful for the dynamics of the classes.”

Donald Minto, Kelly’s teacher of her sophomore and junior US History I Honors and US History 11 AP course, stated that Kelly stood above the rest in “her uncanny ability to excel in both academic and social situations.”  Kelly understood how the “real world” operates.  She was well organized and displayed excellent time-management skills, along with demonstrating the skill of self-reliance.

Kelly’s parents raised their daughter to know the importance of education.  They instilled in Kelly values that led her to work diligently to be at the top of her class, which culminated in her acceptance into one of the finest universities in the United States.  Trying economic times in the construction industry have negatively affected the O’Connor family, but with scholarship assistance Kelly can fulfill one of her own goals and her parents’ dreams for her.

Kelly Elizabeth O’Connor is well qualified to be awarded a David J. Germain, Sr. Memorial Community Service Scholarship and the East Brunswick Regional Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation is pleased to add her to the list of its 2011 scholarship recipients.

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