Hanover Township supervisor's service award winners recognized

More than 125 people attended the Hanover Township Supervisor's Community Service Award banquet held recently at the Hanover Township Senior Center.

Each year a volunteer committee reviews and approves the nominations submitted for five different categories. Nominations are judged on the service activities of the individual or community organization, in addition to the impact the service has on the community and individuals in the community.

This year's committee, comprised of Lori Ann Airdo, Lee Beattie, Mike Dexter, Lorrie Glaser and Cathy Mikulski, presented awards to: Bryan Lopez, Youth Volunteer; Bob Luing, Senior Volunteer; Patricia Johnson, Outstanding Adult Volunteer; Hanover Park Police Department, Outstanding Organization; and Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, Outstanding Business of the Year.

"The many acts of selfless service from individuals and organizations in our community too often go unnoticed and unrecognized," said Brian P. McGuire, Hanover Township supervisor. "We are honored to recognize all the hard work and positive contributions so many individuals and organizations have made in betterment of our community."

Those winning the Supervisor's Choice Awards include Never Ending Cycles, Outstanding Business of the Year; Rotary Club of Bartlett, Outstanding Organization of the Year; Donna Zalesny, Adult Volunteer; and Jaclyn Rodriguez, Youth Volunteer.

Bartlett resident Patricia Kelly was presented with the evening's top award, the Mary Ellen "Mel" Runzel Volunteer Service Award, for her many years of service in working with, and advocating for, township veterans.

Since 2007, Kelly and attorney Robert Olsen have volunteered at the Township Senior Center on the first Saturday of the month in providing free legal advice to veterans. She is also a past volunteer board member for the Bartlett Veterans Memorial Foundation.

The award was created in 2013 to honor Mel for her immeasurable efforts in creating new programs and recruiting volunteers throughout the community as a former Township Trustee and Township Welfare Services director.

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