JENNIFER AMATO/STAFF

Longtime North Brunswick volunteer receives Chandlee Heritage Day award

NORTH BRUNSWICK – Laura Pelszynski has been a valuable North Brunswick resident for 28 years, and due to her extensive volunteer service in town, is the 2019 recipient of the Ann Marie Chandlee Heritage Day Award.

Pelszynski has been employed by the North Brunswick Board of Education for the past 11 years. She worked as an instructional aide from 2008-15 and then became the clerk typist at Judd Elementary School, according to information included in a proclamation read during Heritage Day on Oct. 5 and the North Brunswick Township Council meeting on Oct. 7.

Pelszynski became involved with the North Brunswick Woman’s Club in 1997, and continues her role today as the communication and social media chairperson, according to the proclamation.

Pelszynski’s passion for education led her to become an active member with the North Brunswick Township School PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) and PTSO (Parent Teacher Student Organization) from 1999 to 2017. She was the vice president on the Executive Board at Judd Elementary from 2002-10 and was the co-president at Linwood Middle School, and then North Brunswick Township High School, from 2009-17, according to the proclamation.

Pelszynski joined the North Brunswick Municipal Alliance in 2018. She completed training in 2017 and is a member of the North Brunswick Community Emergency Response Team, according to the proclamation.

She actively volunteers with the Purple for Pappas 5K as a race day volunteer. She participated as a summer volunteer in the Meals on Wheels Program in 2014 and 2015 and served and prepared meals at Elijah’s Promise on a monthly basis in 2016, according to the proclamation.

She has also volunteered in various sports programs in the township, such as the North Brunswick Indians, NBTHS Football/Cheer Parent Council, and the North Brunswick Baseball & Softball Association as a team parent, according to the proclamation.

“There are so many that do so much here in North Brunswick, for me to be considered among their ranks is really tremendous,” Pelszynski said upon receiving the award. “To receive an award that promotes the legacy of Ann Marie Chandlee’s passion for our community is really a great honor.”