Community Recognition Breakfast Held

Civic Leaders Recognized

Advancing Opportunities recently presented its Civic Leadership Awards recently week to Vice President and Treasurer of Thomas Edison State College Michael Scheiring, Mercer County Freeholder Samuel Frisby and Princeton-based ETS.

The awards were presented in a ceremony during the agency’s Community Recognition Breakfast on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at the Conference Center at Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor campus. “Advancing Opportunities presents these awards to highlight individuals and organizations that share our vision of a community that is accessible and welcoming to people with all types of disabilities,” said Chief Executive Officer Jack Mudge.

ETS Community Service Director Laurie A. Russell, received the award on behalf of her organization. “I would like to thank Advancing Opportunities for recognizing us for doing what we believe in, which is giving others the opportunity for a better life.” Russell went on to add that what makes working at ETS so special is the people, saying her co-workers are a truly generous and caring group. The award was presented by Dr. Patricia Donohue, President of Mercer County Community College. The college is a prior recipient of the award.

The second award was presented to Michael Scheiring, Vice President and Treasurer of Thomas Edison State College. Scheiring currently serves on the Board of Directors for Advancing Opportunities. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and of the Thomas Edison State College Foundation. Sherise Ritter, Managing Director of the Mercadien Group and former award recipient, presented the award. “Mike is extremely committed to the community,” she said, noting she had worked with him on several different boards. “He is a true role model and worthy of being honored,” said Ritter.

Former award recipient and Mercer County Freeholder Pasquale “Pat” Colavita presented the final award of the morning to Samuel Frisby. “If you want to know about Sam, all you have to do is look at his children and see how they are already giving back to the community at a very young age,” said Colavita. And he shared a story about Sam’s son, who painted pictures and sold them to raise money for the Sunshine Foundation. Frisby, who has a child with a disability, called the services for his family in Mercer County peerless and said, “I look forward to continuing the hard work this organization has already started.”

Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes addressed 100 area business and community leaders who attended the event. “Advancing Opportunities is what Mercer County is all about,” he said. “Mercer County exists to invest in organizations that can deliver the services this community needs.”

The Civic Leadership Awards are presented each year by Advancing Opportunities during its Community Recognition Breakfast. Individuals interesting in planning next year’s event and selecting the next slate of honorees should contact Briana Walsh at 609-882-4182 ext. 532 or via email at bwalsh@advopps.org.