mary MacCagnan to receive Better Beginnings’ first Lifetime Achievement Shining Star award
By:Michael Arges
Dozens of Hightstown residents have safe, attractive places to live because of Mary MacCagnan, which is why Better Beginnings is presenting her the group’s first "Shining Stars Lifetime Achievement Award."
The Shining Stars awards are presented annually by Better Beginnings to recognize contributions to the community by local businesses and residents. In addition to Ms. MacCagnan’s recognition, Better Beginnings will present awards to David Abalos, East Windsor Fire Co. #1 and #2, Hightstown Engine Co. #1 and Comcast of Central New Jersey Saturday night at 8 p.m. at the annual Shining Start Charity Ball at the Ramada Inn.
Ms. MacCagnan has been executive director at the Hightstown Housing Authority for 10 years. Her work includes activities such as program planning and development, public relations, tenant services and property maintenance and modernization. Prior to being executive director for the HHA, she worked as assistant executive director for eight years and administrative assistant for four years.
"She’s helped a lot of people around the housing authority. She’s a good-hearted person, and the things that she does, she does from her heart!" said Althea Lewis, a housing authority commissioner and staff member at Better Beginnings.
"It’s been under her leadership that many positive changes have taken place," said Bettie Witherspoon, the director of Better Beginnings. "At one time it appeared that it was really drug-infested, and people were standing around on corners selling drugs, and that’s changed – that’s a major change!
"Also she obtained a grant and improved the housing considerably. Those are a couple of things she’s done that have made her corner of the world a better place," Ms. Witherspoon said.
Ms. Lewis added that Ms. MacCagnan "had all the apartments done over, and the apartments are beautiful!"
In addition to her professional responsibilities, she also has found many ways to help residents through her own initiative, Ms. Witherspoon said. Ms. MacCagnan is greatly respected and admired by the residents of the Housing Authority for her acts of kindness and thoughtfulness.
As a member of the Board of Trustees of the Greater Hightstown-East Windsor Improvement Project, Ms. MacCagnan also has helped to beautify and revitalize Hightstown.
Proceeds from the Charity Ball benefit Better Beginnings, a nonprofit child care center. Better Beginnings offers a multicultural and bilingual curriculum for young children from low- and moderate-income families. Other programs offered at Better Beginnings include computer access, literacy, substance abuse/violence prevention and adult workshops.
Mayors Amy Aughenbaugh of Hightstown and Janice Mironov of East Windsor will present the awards to the Shining Star Award winners.
State Assembly members Linda Greenstein and Gary Gruear and county Freeholder Ann Cannon will present resolutions passed by their respective legislative bodies.
For more information about Better Beginnings, go to the center’s Web site at www.princetonol./groups/bbcdc or call Althea Lewis, (609) 448-6226.