Published on May 12, 2015

East Windsor Township Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Hightstown Borough Mayor Larry Quattrone hosted Mayors Shining Star Gala a charity gala to raise funds for Better Beginnings.

Mayor Mironov stated, “The event, which is co-chaired by myself and the Hightstown Borough mayor, is to honor the Shining Stars and to raise money for Better Beginnings which is a great facility for children within our community.” In a Mayor Proclamation recognizing the Month of the Young Child and kicking off the evening festivities, Mayor Mironov praised “Better Beginnings for providing affordable quality child care for families and their children in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment.”

The Better Beginnings Gala honored individuals/groups/businesses as 2015 Shining Stars for their contributions to the community: Joan A. Gordon, Lifetime Achievement Award; Edward M. Kelley, Lifetime Achievement Award; Americana Diner, Business Award; Hightstown Elks Lodge 1955, Organization Award, and “Youth Disciples Group” of the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown, Youth Award.

Better Beginnings, a non-profit organization, has been serving children and families in East Windsor and Hightstown since 1967. Better Beginnings, which has been consistently evaluated as “excellent and innovative” by State, County and peer organizations, provides children of working parents an affordable, enriched early childhood educational program that helps build strong, healthy self-reliant families.

East Windsor and Hightstown Mayors recognize 2015 “Shining Star” honorees at the Better Beginnings Charity Gala. Pictured (from left to right) are: East Windsor Mayor Janice S. Mironov; Joan Gordon; Christian Flagg and Megan Bloemeke of Youth Disciples; Edward Kelley; Lori Bernas of Elks Lodge; Constantine Katsifis of Americana Diner, and Hightstown Mayor Larry Quattrone.

East Windsor and Hightstown Mayors kick-off 2015 Better Beginnings “Shining Star” Charity Gala, presenting Mayoral Proclamation for the Month of the Young Child to Better Beginnings. Pictured (from left to right) are: Dennis McClary, President/Chairperson of the Board of Directors; Hightstown Mayor Larry Quattrone East Windsor Mayor Janice S. Mironov, and Luz Horta, Executive Director of Better Beginnings.