Six county residents get Prudential volunteer awards

sussex county — Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants, the recognition and awards program for employees of Prudential Financial, recently acknowledged six Sussex County residents who excelled in volunteer commitment, leadership and service in their communities during 2004. The six were among 793 domestic Prudential associates and retirees and 58 international associates, who received grants ranging from $250 to $5,000 for each award winners' charitable organization. Kathleen Baron of Stanhope received $5,000 for the Girl Scouts: Lenni-Lenape Council. During 2004, Baron dedicated 300 hours to the scouts, serving on the council performance assessment task group, both as a national delegate and as a council trainer. Baron is a trained Red Cross instructor in baby sitting, CPR and first aid, and taught these important skills to the girls she leads. Baron leads Troop 645 and is a member of the service unit team. She also initiated and led a new Brownie Girl Scout troop for third graders in her community, who participated in a number of service projects to benefit the community in their first year. "Ms. Baron ...epitomizes all that a Girl Scout volunteer should be: confident, courageous, and caring," said Betty Garger, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts: Lenni-Lenape Council. Cynthia Bochniak of Stanhope received an award of $1,000 for the Noah's Ark Animal Welfare Association. Bochniak dedicated 300 hours to fund raising to support the animal shelter, including coordinating the annual Tricky Tray fund raiser, the organizations number-one annual source of income. Noah's Ark is a no-kill shelter that provides shelter, food and medical care to abandoned or unwanted animals. Susan Reimer of Ogdensburg received an award of $1,000 for the Literacy Volunteers of America - Sussex County. Reimer devoted 32 hours to the literacy program, assisting a student with developing his math and basic reading skills, along with interviewing skills that helped him obtain a new job. Reimer also helped another student study the N.J. Driver's Manuel so he could earn his driver's permit. Daniel T. Galvin of Stanhope received an award of $250 for the Byram Hobb Engler Little League. Galvin contributed 130 hours of volunteer service managing a major little league baseball team and coaching the all-star team. He also served as a board member helping to set direction for the organization. Meg Thickman of Sparta received an award of $250 for the New Sussex Symphony. Thickman volunteered 80 hours to the symphony, where she was a member of the clarinet section. She also helped set up for rehearsals each week and contributed to audience receptions at concerts. Robin Warrington of Sparta worked 80 hours to convince the town of Sparta to donate a piece of land to be used as a skate park. Warrington fund raised for the initiative and met with town officials to discuss necessary permits and insurance issues. She also engaged the children in the design of the park.