Several Monmouth County residents were presented with Citizen Service Awards at the county’s recent Call to Service Day event that recognized efforts to improve the community and challenged attendees to step up and do their part to make Monmouth County the best it can be.
“Monmouth County’s Citizen Service Awards focus on thanking people for getting involved in their communities,” Freeholder Director Barbara J. McMorrow said. “We are publicly thanking people who have already taken action to make the county a better place. We hope this will also encourage other residents to get involved and answer their own call to service.”
The following county residents were presented with a Citizen Service Award:
• Ethan Pearlstein of Marlboro volunteered his time and talents to help formulate and plan the Call to Service Day and the Citizens Service Awards. With his input and assistance the awards and Call to Service Day came to life.
• Rebecca Ingrid Fee of Freehold works to eliminating hunger in the community by giving time and talents to the Foodbank of Monmouth Ocean Counties and to her neighbors in need.
• Daniel M. Savino of Freehold, for his perseverance and determination in obtaining a public recognition of Marine Cpl. Phillip Reynolds, killed in 1950 during a battle in Korea. Savino sought and succeeded in the naming of the Route 9 bridge over Throckmorton Street in Freehold in memory of Reynolds.
• Howard and Virginia Richmond of Ocean Township, who led the effort to find a permanent home for the Township of Ocean Historical Museum that included the acquisition and restoration of the Woolley Homestead. Their tireless leadership resulted in the completion of the museum in April 2009.
• Maj. Kristina Kristensen of Ocean Township, who created “The Go Green Challenge,” a guide and certificate program for businesses and residents that explains how practical lifestyle changes can have a positive effect on the environment and the community.
• Sister Isis of Neptune, for selflessly working for the betterment of young people by teaching and hosting musical performances for young people to showcase their talents and to help build their self-esteem. Sister Isis also works with adults to help them express their talents, hopes and dreams through music and fellowship.
Other recipients of the Citizen ServiceAwards were Jordan Davis of Millstone for selflessly thinking of others in need and acting to make a difference and John Alexander Van Dyck of Long Branch who worked to replace worn American flags flying over the county.
Those who know of someone who has been working to improve the community or the lives of residents can submit a letter of nomination to Freeholder Director Barbara J. McMorrow for consideration by the 10th of each month.
The letter of nomination, two-page maximum, should include a description of what the nominee did in his or her call to service along with a description of the need for the action, two references and a single sentence explanation of why the nominee is deserving of the award. Complete nomination criteria is available on the county website at www.visitmonmouth.com.
Nominations for November should be submitted by Nov. 10 directly to the Board of Freeholders by email at freeholdermcmorrow@ gmail.com or by U.S. mail to Citizens Service Awards, c/o Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, P.O. Box 1255, Freehold, NJ 07728.