Community Corner

Residents to be Honored for Service to Families

Union County Family Service Awards to be held Oct. 24.

Two local residents are among 11 Union County residents who will be honored at Homefirst’s first annual Union County Family Service Awards. 

Sigrid Patsch of Mountainside and Ruth Robina of New Providence will be honored Oct. 24 at the Galloping Hill Golf Club in Kenilworth at an event that recognizes individuals who serve families in extraordinary ways, according to the Suburban News.

Patsch and Robina will join fellow honorees Ralph Bernardo, Clark; Edith Coogan, Cranford; James Grover, Fanwood; Dolores Hynes, Linden; Sarah Cadogan, Plainfield; Jacqueline Mitchell, Roselle; Lisa and Peter McNamara, Westfield; and Frank Anderson, Winfield Park.

"Our honorees are an inspiration to me and to my colleagues at Homefirst and to everyone who cares about families in need. They work quietly and faithfully to support and strengthen families facing adversity, and we are very excited to salute them at An Evening of Thanks on Oct. 24," said Ellen McGovern, Homefirst's executive director.

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The 2013 honorees have helped families with sick and terminally ill children, adolescents in crisis, young men who are involved with violence, pregnant women who are homeless, cancer patients and their families and elderly citizens who are confined to their homes.

The evening will begin with a cocktail reception featuring two local jazz groups, At Ease, a Westfield High School jazz band, and the Florian Schantz Jazz Combo, headlined by 11-year-old Florian Schantz. State Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, master of ceremonies, and Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella will lead the awards ceremony.

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The evening will include a video presentation about Homefirst's work to support and strengthen families in need, a live auction and a three-course dinner for guests. The program will conclude with a performance from The Celebration Singers.

For further details or to RSVP for the event, contact McGovern at ellen@homefirstinc.org or at 908-753-4001, ext. 13.


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