Published on March 02, 2016

Mayor Janice Mironov issued and presented to Better Beginnings representatives a Proclamation recognizing “Month of the Young Child” to kick off the Better Beginnings April 9 Shining Star Gala, a charity event geared to raise funds for the local Better Beginnings Development Center. Following the Proclamation, Mayor Mironov and Council Members each provided personal checks to Better Beginnings in support of the fundraising event.

Mayor Mironov presented the Proclamation to Better Beginnings representatives -- Executive Director Luz N. Horta, Board of Directors Chairperson Dennis McClary, Gala Coordinator Mercedes Colon-Vargas, Board Vice Chairperson Peggy Iucolino, and Board Secretary Council Member Denise Daniels. The Mayoral Proclamation states, “the future of our community depends on the quality of the early childhood experiences provided to young children today. Better Beginnings Development Center is a high-quality early childhood service that represents a worthy and vital commitment to our children’s future and 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.” Mayor Mironov “called upon citizens to recognize and support the needs of young children in our community”

The Better Beginnings Gala, which is co-chaired by Mayor Mironov and Mayor Quattrone of Hightstown Borough, will be held on Saturday, April 9 at 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn East Windsor (399 Monmouth Street), and honors individuals, organizations and businesses that have bettered our community.To kick-off the event and show strong local officials support, Mayor Mironov presented a personal check donation to Better Beginnings Executive Director Luz N. Horta, followed by personal donations from Council Members Denise Daniels, Marc Lippman, Perry Shapiro, Alan Rosenberg and John Zoller.

The Better Beginnings April 9 charitable Gala is honoring the following individuals, groups, and businesses as 2016 “Shining Stars” for their contributions to the community: Larry Blake, Lifetime Achievement Award;Pete Bussone, Lifetime Achievement Award; Kerri Peterson, Lifetime Achievement Award; Lee Hutchinson, Individual Achievement Award;Denise Daniels, Individual Achievement Award; Dairy Queen, Business Award; Rocky Brook Garden Club, Organization Award, and East Windsor/Hightstown Boy Scouts, Youth Award.

Better Beginnings is a non-profit organization that 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. For further information or to support the Better Beginnings Gala, call (609) 448-6226 or emailbetter_beginnings@yahoo.com.

Mayor Mironov issues and presents to Better Beginnings Proclamation recognizing “Month of the Young Child” to kick-off the April 9 Better Beginnings “Shining Star” Charity Gala. Pictured (from left to right) are: Mercedes Colon-Vargas, Better Beginnings Gala Coordinator; Council Member Denise Daniels, Better Beginnings Board Secretary; Peggy Iucolino, Better Beginnings Board Vice Chairperson; Luz N. Horta, Better Beginnings Executive Director; Dennis McClary, Better Beginnings Board of Directors Chairperson, and Mayor Janice Mironov.

Mayor Janice Mironov and Council Members kick-off April 9 Better Beginnings Gala by providing personal checks of support for the fundraiser. Pictured (from left to right) are: Mercedes Colon-Vargas, Better Beginnings Gala Coordinator; Council Member Denise Daniels, Better Beginnings Board Secretary; Peggy Iucolino, Better Beginnings Board Vice Chairperson; Luz N. Horta, Better Beginnings Executive Director; Dennis McClary, Better Beginnings Board of Directors Chairperson; Mayor Janice Mironov; Council Member Marc Lippman; Council Member Alan Rosenberg; Council Member Perry Shapiro, and Council Member John Zoller.