Published on May 16, 2012

East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov and Hightstown Mayor Steven Kirson co-hosted the Better Beginning Shining Star Charity Gala, and recognized five individuals/businesses/groups as 2012 Shining Star honorees for their contributions to the community. Mayor Mironov and Mayor Kirson presented “Shining Star” Awards to: Walter T. Daniels, Jr., Lifetime Achievement Award; Dale and Gary Grubb, Individual Achievement Award; First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury, Organization Award; East Windsor Regional School District Hightstown High School Red Cross Club, Youth Group Award, and Shiseido America, Business 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 gala event provided a great vehicle to recognize some outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses who have each in their own way made meaningful contributions to our community. These honorees exemplify a generous community spirit and serve as positive role models for others.” Mayor Mironov continued, “We appreciate the opportunity to honor these outstanding individuals and organizations while raising support and resources for the benefit of our area’s children.”

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 Mironov and Hightstown Borough Mayor Steven Kirson recognize all of the 2012 Shining Star honorees. Pictured (from left to right) are: Hightstown Borough Mayor Steven Kirson; East Windsor Council Member John Zoller, Director of Corporate Compliance at Shiseido America; Gary Grubb and Dale Grubb; Brian Screws; Walter T. Daniels, Jr.; Tulis Desai, President, Red Cross Club; Cheryl O’Connor, Head Advisor, Red Cross Club; Kelsey Brey, Vice President, Red Cross Club; Reverend Rosanna Anderson, First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury; Reverend Dr. Louis Mitchell, First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury and East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov.

East Windsor Mayor Janice 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.

East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov and Hightstown Borough Mayor Steven Kirson present an award to Walter T. Daniels, Jr., recipient of the 2012 Shining Star Lifetime Achievement Award. Pictured (from left to right) are: East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov; Walter T. Daniels, Jr., and Hightstown Borough Mayor Steven Kirson.

East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov and Hightstown Borough Mayor Steven Kirson present an award to Shiseido America, Inc., recipient of the 2012 Shining Star Business Award. Pictured (from left to right) are: East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov; East Windsor Council Member John Zoller, Director of Corporate Compliance at Shiseido America, and Hightstown Borough Mayor Steven Kirson.

East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov and Hightstown Borough Mayor Steven Kirson present an award to First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury, recipient of the 2012 Shining Star Organization Award. Pictured (from left to right) are: Hightstown Borough Mayor Steven Kirson; Reverend Dr. Louis Mitchell, First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury, and East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov.

East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov and Hightstown Borough Mayor Steven Kirson present an award to East Windsor Regional School District Hightstown High School Red Cross Club, recipient of the 2012 Shining Star Youth Group Award. Pictured (from left to right) are: Hightstown Borough Mayor Steven Kirson; Cheryl O’Connor, Head Advisor; Kelsey Brey, Vice President; Tulis Desai, President; East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov; Jasmine Kumar, Secretary; Asseelah Azimson, Secretary; Colleen Murphy, Vice President; Kathy Hart, Assistant Advisor; and Kunal Patel, Vice President.