Published on May 16, 2013

East Windsor Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Hightstown Mayor Steven Kirson co-hosted the Better Beginning Shining Star Charity Gala, and recognized six individuals/businesses/groups as 2013 Shining Star honorees for their contributions to the community. Mayor Mironov and Mayor Kirson presented “Shining Star” Awards to: Marsha Weinstein, Lifetime Achievement Award; Loida Noriega Wilson, Individual Achievement Award; Jewish Family and Children’s Agency, Organization Award; East Windsor Regional School District Hightstown High SchoolNational Honor Society, Youth Group Award; Home Depot, Business Award, and Earnest L. Doggett, III, Alumnus Award.

The gala event was a charity fundraiser for Better Beginnings. Better Beginnings is a local child care development center, which began in 1967, and provides pre-school, after school and summer programs to area children.

Mayor Mironov stated, “This annual event provides a great opportunity to pay tribute to some outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses who have made significant contributions to our community. These honorees illustrate a generous community spirit and serve as an example for others to follow.” Mayor Mironov continued, “We take great pride in honoring these outstanding individuals and organizations while encouraging continued support of the positive programs made available to the children in our area.”

Mayor Mironov and Mayor Kirson kicked off the gala event by presenting to Better Beginnings Executive Director Luz Horta and Board Chairperson Liston Abbott a Proclamation recognizing April as the “Month of the Young Child” and paying tribute to Better Beginnings. The Mayoral Proclamation states, “Better Beginnings Day Care Center is committed to providing a developmentally-appropriate environment based on individual needs and learning styles in a child-oriented atmosphere encouraging individual development and achievement.” The Mayoral Proclamation continues, “Better Beginnings Day Care Center is also dedicated to promoting positive self-image through intellectual, social, emotional and physical development and providing various programs to meet the needs of families and children within our community."

East Windsor Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Hightstown Borough Mayor Steven Kirson recognized 2013 “Shining Star” honorees at the Better Beginnings Shining Star Charity Gala. Pictured (from left to right) are: Mayor Steven Kirson, Brian Tapper of Home Depot; Ernest Doggett, III; Loida Wilson; High School National Honor Society students Shlok Shah, President, and Samantha Gleich; Margarita Leahy and Isabel Godoy-Bousequet of Jewish Family and Children’s Agency; Marsha Weinstein, and East Windsor Mayor Janice S. Mironov.

East Windsor Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Hightstown Borough Mayor Steven Kirson present a proclamation to Better Beginnings for “Month of the Young Child”. Pictured (from left to right) are: Hightstown Borough Mayor Steven Kirson; Liston Abbott, Chairperson of Better Beginnings Board of Directors; Luz Horta, Executive Director of Better Beginnings, and East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov.