By JESSICA HARDING
Staff Writer
HOLMDEL –First Aid Chief Christopher Trischitta and Chairperson Betsy Wilson of Green Team were honored for their dedication and service by the Township Committee on Nov. 23.
Trischitta was awarded the first ever Mayors’ Volunteer Service Award for his 12 years of dedication to the squad. A plaque was presented to him by the Board of Chosen Freeholders.
The honor is designed to recognize those in Holmdel’s service community for dedication, commitment and hard work.
Trischitta was extremely grateful for the award.
“It really signifies my service and commitment for the past 12 years,” he began, “However, this is not just an award for me — it is an award for the entire volunteer system and Holmdel community.”
Trischitta is the youngest person in the last 30 years to be appointed chief. The Board of Chosen Freeholders shared that in their eyes, Nov. 22 is “Chief Chris Day” in all of Monmouth County.
Wilson of Holmdel’s Green Team was recognized for her efforts as chairperson.
The Green Team shared their displays during the meeting, particularly posters with pieces of recyclables taped to them to encourage residents to follow the cycle: reduce, reuse, recycle.
The Green Team started over 50 years ago as “Cool Cities.” Over five years ago, Wilson joined and took over shortly after as chairman.
Two of the group’s big days included Earth Day and Community Day, which both took place last spring.
Green Team member and co-chair of the Holmdel Community Garden, Sabrina Conlan, shared her hopes to educate people on the whole process of recycling.
“We want to educate the community, not only on recycling, but the entire cycle leading up to it. Every year billions of plastic bags and bottles are thrown away. We are hoping to teach people the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling as a whole.”
One of the Green Team’s most successful projects was run along with the Eco Club at Holmdel High School.
Students wanted a filtered water station, and one was donated to them. In a little over two years, the station registered over 207,000 uses.
A vending machine selling water bottles for $1.25 is located next to the station.
The Green Team has been encouraging the students to choose the filtered station over purchasing more bottles.