The YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy (MEWSA) will be holding its Annual Dinner on May 2, 2018 at 6:00 PM at the Pines Manor in Edison. This event is a long standing tradition that celebrates the highlights of the YMCA of MEWSA, now in its 97th year of service to Greater Middlesex County. The Annual Dinner will feature a recap of the year’s activities and present the Charles S. Edgar Memorial Award and Peter J. Barnes, Jr. Community Champion Award to deserving members of the community who support and further the YMCA’s goals.
The recipient of the Charles S. Edgar Memorial Award is Lorraine Mulligan. This award is given to an individual who has greatly served the youth of the community, exemplifies community spirit, has contributed to the community through a variety of organizations and in a variety of roles and is responsive to and interested in the work of the YMCA. Lorraine has been a long-time volunteer, donor and supporter of the YMCA of MEWSA and the community. She served for over 10 years on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of MEWSA, including a three-year term as Board Chair from 2007 through 2009. Lorraine began her volunteer career in Metuchen where she served two terms totaling 15 years on the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, including a term as President in 2002. Lorraine is a long-time member of the Auxiliary of JFK Medical Center Foundation and has also been a hospice volunteer in the Children’s Bereavement Program at JFK’s Haven Hospice. She is currently Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at Metuchen Savings Bank. Lorraine graduated in 2004 from the NJ Department of Community Affairs Downtown Revitalization Institute and used the knowledge to benefit the Metuchen business community in many capacities. In 2011, she travelled with a group of other volunteer leaders from the YMCA of MEWSA to Mumbai, India and helped to establish an international exchange partnership with the YMCA of Bombay. Lorraine epitomizes the core values of the YMCA and giving back to the community.
The Peter J. Barnes Jr. Community Champion Award will be presented to Zusette Dato. This award is given to an individual who has a legacy of community service, is responsive to and interested in the work of the YMCA, serves as an example for others in leadership, integrity and the core values of the YMCA: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Zusette has a long history of volunteerism with the YMCA of MEWSA and within the community. She is a graduate of Taylor Business Institute, and also Middlesex County College where she received her degree in paralegal studies, graduating with high honors. Her service to the community includes serving on the North Brunswick Parks & Recreation Committee, North Brunswick Open Space Committee and North Brunswick Domestic Violence Response Team. After moving to South Amboy, Zusette was appointed to the South Amboy Planning Board from 2002 to 2005 and the South Amboy Library Board from 2003 to 2012. She also served on the Middlesex County Cultural Heritage Commission for 12 years and currently serves as Commissioner on the South Amboy Redevelopment Agency. Zusette served on the YMCA of MEWSA’s Corporate Board of Directors from 2011 through 2014 and currently serves on the South Amboy YMCA Branch Board since 2011. She is currently serving her second term as Third Ward Councilwoman for the City of South Amboy. Zusette considers it a honor to serve the community and respond to people in need.
Lorraine Mulligan and Zusette Dato will be honored at the 2018 Annual Dinner of the YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, and Woodbridge & South Amboy on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018 at 6:00 PM at the Pines Manor in Edison, NJ. The cost to attend is $75.00 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Katie McAdoo, Association Advancement Director at 732-516-1108 or at katie.mcadoo@ymcaofmewsa.org.