Better Beginning Shining Star Charity Gala Honors Community Contributors

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, and groups as 2013 Shining Star honorees for their contributions to the community.

Mironov and 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 School National Honor Society, Youth Group Award
• Home Depot, Business Award
• Earnest L. Doggett, III, Alumnus Award

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

“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." Mironov said. "These honorees illustrate a generous community spirit and serve as an example for others to follow. 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.”

Mironov and 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. 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."