By Amy Batista, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN – Local resident Stacey Judge, chairwoman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, is the recipient of the Mercer County Woman of Achievement Award.
The announcement was made by Hightstown Borough Council member Susan Bluth at the council’s Jan. 19 meeting.
The Woman of Achievement Award was established to honor a Mercer County resident who volunteers time to make the county a better place to live, raise a family and work, according to the Mercer County website.
“It is a great accomplishment for Stacey,” said Ms. Bluth. “It is a great accomplishment for Hightstown.”
Mayor Larry Quattrone nominated Ms. Judge, a volunteer in the borough for more than 12 years, for her dedication to Hightstown Borough and its residents, according to a press release.
“Ms. Judge not only serves as the chairperson for the Parks and Recreation Commission, but has dedicated her time and talents to the Triathlon Committee, Harvest Fair Committee, the Hightstown/East Windsor Joint Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, and served as an EMT on the East Windsor First Aid Squad,” he said in a press release.
Mayor Quattrone said that he nominated Ms. Judge for the award because she is an asset to Hightstown in many ways and devotes her time to other organizations and events by volunteering.
“Her enthusiasm to bring new programs to the community and implement policies that provide for the safety and welfare of the community is unmatched,” he said.
He said that she has proven herself to be a resident who is an intricate part of her community and is a perfect example of what one person can do to improve the community for the benefit of all its residents.
“Her achievements within the borough, as well as the county, is well deserving of recognition,” he said.
Ms. Judge said in an email Monday that she was surprised but honored by the recognition.
“In fact, I felt it was an honor to even be considered,” she said.
Ms. Judge said that she found out shortly after the new year that she was the recipient of the award.
“There are a number of women in our communities across Mercer County doing really great things. So to me, it means I am an important part of that group, part of a much bigger picture,” she said.
Ms. Judge started volunteering when her husband was in the military.
“My mindset has always been that community service is a staple of citizenship,” she said. “My husband, Marty, was in the Army for 10 years and is Gulf War Veteran. While he served our country, I logged hundreds of volunteer hours. Not only did I feel I was doing my part, but this work supported the members of a community, which in turn supported my children and I.”
Ms Judge said that when she and her family moved to Hightstown in 200, she started looking for volunteer opportunities. For the past six years she has worked as the Community Wellness Program director with Springpoint Senior Living, where she can be found serving the Meadow Lakes community as well.
She said that there is a lot of satisfaction in being able to make a difference by helping others.
“I also enjoy working with others who really care about their neighbors and neighborhoods,” she said. “It’s like a team, there’s an energy to it.”
For those would like to volunteer themselves, Ms. Judge recommends just doing whatever one can.
“Find something that really interests you and start small,” she said. “I will be the first person to tell you that it’s easy to take on too much because there is such a need, but it doesn’t have to be all consuming.,” she said.
Ms. Judge said that there are plenty of areas where volunteers are needed to make phone calls, stuff envelopes or help organize donations.
“Maybe a few minutes a day or an hour a week is all it takes to be part of that team,” she said.
“That’s when the really big stuff gets done, the sum of it all, that’s when you know you have made a difference. I also think that it’s a good way to be a role model for youth. In a world where we are many times caught up in the monetary value of our work or our time, it can help teach the value of giving back,” she said.
Ms. Judge will receive her award during a ceremony, which will be held in Hamilton Township in March 15.
The Mercer County Commission on the Status of Women and Mercer County Executive, Brian M. Hughes, will host a cocktail reception to present awards for the Woman of Achievement and the Young Woman of Achievement, according to the Mercer County website.
