The South Brunswick Citizens for Independent Living held its 22nd annual Independence Ball last Saturday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Princeton.
By Ed Birch, Special Writer
The South Brunswick Citizens for Independent Living held its 22nd annual Independence Ball last Saturday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Princeton.
This year, the group presented its annual Dr. Barry Indik Memorial Awards to community activists Donald DeMaio and Arthur Robinson.
The CIL program is centered in Monmouth Junction and is led by Jessie Parker, a retired kindergarten teacher from Cambridge School in Kendall Park.
The Vice President of the group is Diane Slover, vice president and branch manager of the Sun National Bank in Kendall Park.
Mr. DeMaio has been a resident of the township for 43 years.
He is a retired manager from Bristol Myers Squibb and is also a Board member of the township’s Social Services Advisory Committee.
He volunteers 3-4 days per week at the local food pantry and is also a bus aide at the township Senior Citizens Center, where he assists township participants with the carrying, loading, and unloading of their groceries.
Arthur Robinson has resided in Kendall Park for the past 24 years.
He is a retired commander in the United States Navy Reserves and served in Kuwait.
He is an engineer for the state Department of Environmental Protection and is presently serving his second term on the South Brunswick Board of Education.
He has also previously served on the planning board and charter committees
The organization was established in 1984, and according to President Parker “assists and supports disabled adults to live independent productive lives within the community.”
The support is given to the participants as they transition from high school to an optimal independent living situation, she said.