Township’s ‘hometown heroes’ given their due
Volunteer groups and residents honored for community service
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK — The Celebrate North Brunswick Committee held a “Year of the Volunteer” banquet for all of the organizations honored this year in recognition of their dedication and service to the community.

On Saturday at Pierre’s Restaurant in South Brunswick, the Domestic Violence Team, the Friends of the Library, the Boy Scouts, Fire Companies Nos. 1, 2 and 3, the First Aid and Rescue Squad, the Food Bank, the Girl Scouts, the Heritage Day Committee, the Humane Association, the Memorial Day Parade Committee, the Municipal Alliance Committee, the Senior Meals on Wheels program, the Sept. 11 Committee, the Soccer Club, the Buddy Ball program and the Woman’s Club were honored as part of Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack’s 2006 initiative to draw attention to all of the volunteer services in town.

“I think tonight is going to prove to be a great night for our volunteers. This shows our fellow North Brunswick Townshipers that we appreciate them opening their hearts and kicking in,” committee Chairman Johnny Albert said.

“We recognize you, our hometown heroes, in your day-to-day efforts that make North Brunswick a great place,” township representative Lou Ann Benson said.

Two of those hometown heroes have recently joined the township, volunteering for Fire Company No. 1 on Cranbury Cross Road.

Ryan McElarney has been with the fire squad for just about a year, following in the footsteps of his father. He said he doesn’t think about risking his life on a daily basis, but instead enjoys the camaraderie he shares with his fellow firefighters.

“You learn to work with everyone, and it turns into a big family,” he said.

Chad Clark, who came from Tennessee about 10 months ago to join the fire department, decided to change from 12 years of paid fire service to the volunteer service North Brunswick has to offer because of his desire just to do his job.

“I didn’t realize they weren’t paid, but it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter because any way you look at it, you’re helping somebody out and there shouldn’t be a price on that,” he said. “Just knowing we’re helping people out is enough recognition I need.”

With regard to serving the youths and adults of the community, the Municipal Alliance offers resources for substance abuse prevention and recovery. Member Jim Brittain joined with his wife about three years ago to bring expertise about how to efficiently spend funds in the best interest of the community.

“We love North Brunswick, and this is something we can do …, give back to the township and the people of the township, and we believe our activities make our township better, so it’s partly about gratitude and partly about enlightening self-interests: if we’re involved in something that makes the community better, then in the end we’re living in a better community,” he said.

To provide for the elderly residents of the town, the senior citizen Meals on Wheels program delivers food to those who are housebound or in need of financial assistance.

“I’m elated. I think this is wonderful that we honor all the volunteers. I’m just the coordinator and I put them together, so they’re really the ones to be honored,” Gae Mangarella said of her staff.

“They come to the senior center at 10:15, 10:30 to pick up the meals, they deliver them [and] they do spend time with the housebound when they deliver the meals,” she continued. “They are all dedicated and I know sometimes it gets a little frustrating … but on the whole I think we have a terrific group.”

As an added bonus, Womack was presented with a proclamation by the committee, thanking him for his volunteer initiative and his implementation of the Celebrate North Brunswick Committee.

“I was born in South Carolina, so, thanks y’all, I appreciate it,” the mayor quipped. “I understand the reason to honor volunteers is pragmatic and important because small-town New Jersey and small-town South Carolina are all the same thing; it doesn’t work unless everyone works together and gets together … and that’s what makes our town work.”

Saying he was honored to receive his first award ever in front of “the heart and soul of the township,” Womack stressed how humbled he was and how important continuing such a recognition program is.

“I don’t think people understand the level of commitment required of most of our volunteers … [who] make our community a safe and decent place to live,” he said. “I look forward to making sure the township and the resources of the township and any influence we have in the state go to supporting volunteers because the whole concept [is that we live in a] huge metro area but we are all part of a small town. As part of a small town, we have neighbors who are volunteers providing our essential services … and I look forward to doing anything I can to make that continue.”

Overall, the volunteers were very pleased with the banquet dinner and hope that other members of the community will come out to volunteer as they see their actions are not in vain.

“It’s very nice. I’ve heard about the ‘Year of the Volunteer.’ It’s nice to be recognized by the town. Obviously, being a volunteer, there isn’t a whole lot of acknowledgment,” McElarney said. “It just feels good knowing when they need it that you are there to help someone.”

“Ever since we were kids, my sister and I were always stressed by my mother and father to give back, to be kind and giving souls,” said Councilwoman Cathy Nicola, who is a liaison to the Municipal Alliance Committee and involved with the Humane Association and Domestic Violence Team. “This is warranted. It’s the mayor’s initiative and it’s way overdue. … To see a room full of people like this, and every single person has given and dedicated their time, it’s so wonderful to see the people who do that.”

The recognition ceremonies will commence in 2007 with the honoring of the Historical Society.

“By making township residents aware of how many people in our community find the time to volunteer, which helps us fiscally, [it also] makes North Brunswick a better place to live in,” Albert said.

The Celebrate North Brunswick Committee members also include vice chair Gail DiPane, Connie Corbin, Christine DeMuro, Elise Isaacson, Roy Minieri and Darlene Prott.