EAST BRUNSWICK — When it comes to New Jersey teens and their commitment to helping those in need, it’s anything but a recession.
While it may seem that everyone is busy worrying about the economy and their own nest eggs, many caring young people have made the decision to dedicate time to others in need. They are recognized through the annual Good Deed Awards.
This year, the usual 18 awards were not enough. A panel of judges chose 20 teenagers to be recognized for one thing they have in common: their contribution to the greatest stimulus package known to humankind — community service.
The awards were distributed during a recent ceremony at East Brunswick Town Hall. The nonsectarian program brought together state and local politicians, business executives, social service agency directors and police officials to celebrate the accomplishments of the area’s teens with their families.
Among those presenting the awards were Middlesex County Sheriff Mildred Scott, East Brunswick Mayor David Stahl, New Jersey acting Deputy Commissioner of Education Rochelle Hendricks, and scholarship sponsors Gold Medal Plumbing and Heating, Minuteman Press of East Brunswick, and Upscale Photography.
This year’s award recipients have taken aim at the pain of loneliness and sickness by stimulating and engendering compassion, friendship and happiness through hospital patient and nursing home resident visits; friendship with special-needs children; and volunteering in children’s hospitals and animal shelters, to name a few.
East Brunswick’s Taran Sayal, for example, has collected over 1,100 items to donate to several children’s hospitals, including Saint Peter’s University Hospital, The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Taran also coordinated and participated in environmental cleanup projects in the area, among many other services. The projects earned Taran her Girl Scout Gold Award in 2010.
Jenna Tiberi, also of East Brunswick, has achieved many hours of community service through a variety of activities. Jenna volunteers with the Daisy Recreation Program, the Best Buddies Program and a monthly senior program at Chelsea Assisted Living.
Their fellow Good Deed Award recipients are: Kristin Kosch of Mahwah; Ryan Kinghorn of Howell; Kirsten Granit of East Brunswick; Berncy Mbui of North Brunswick; Rachel Linda of East Brunswick; Asha Kuttikattu of Timber Creek; Lauren Dessel of East Brunswick; Sophie Chang of East Brunswick; Andrew Schlaegel of Lindenwold; Marisa Barnett of East Brunswick; Brendan Stringfellow of Willingboro; Kelsey Bayzick; Emily Fredricks of East Brunswick; Daniel Martinez of Manchester; Laura Maguire of East Brunswick; Ahed Syed; Cassie Aran of East Brunswick; Erin Cullen; and Sarah Botzenhart of East Brunswick.
“They’ve brought about a kind of inner global warming, where through their compassion for the plight of others, these teens literally bring warmth, light and love to so many needy people in our community,” said Good Deed Awards Director Rabbi Aryeh Goodman of the Chabad of East Brunswick.
The winning students were awarded college scholarships and award plaques.
For more information and for future nominations and sponsorships, visit www.gooddeedawards.com or call Rabbi Goodman at 732-333-3220.