The Junior League of Summit (JLS) proudly presented this year’s Jean Hudson Gano Community Service Award to Barbara Romano of Summit at its Annual Dinner at Fairmount Country Club, May 8th. This award is given annually to recognize outstanding contributions to the community by either an individual or a nonprofit organization. Through this award, the JLS honors Jean Hudson Gano, a JLS member, mother of three, and outstanding community volunteer who died of breast cancer in May of 1997 at 41 years of age.
Romano, also known around Summit as the "Luminary Lady," has been the Project Director of the Luminary Fund since 1989. The Luminary Fund is a community-run fundraiser where individuals purchase luminaries to be lit on Christmas Eve. It began 32 years ago as a service project for teens, but since Mrs. Romano took over, she has raised more than $640,000. The project has grown into a whole community-wide effort that includes over 125 street captains, three area leaders and several youth groups.
"Mrs. Romano's altruistic volunteer work truly embodies the spirit of the JLS mission. The Luminary Fund makes participants feel more connected to the community, and it promotes voluntarism as a whole," commented President Colleen Markley. "Individuals like Mrs. Romano make all the difference in a community."
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The money raised has been distributed back to local organizations such as the Senior Connections Bus (the Big Wheel), the Summit First Aid Squad, The Valerie Fund, Summit Helping Its People (SHIP), Bridges Outreach Ministries, SAGE Eldercare, and many more. Last year alone, Romano raised nearly $60,000.
The Junior League of Summit is a nonprofit, charitable and educational organization of women who are committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. For more information about the Junior League of Summit or to inquire about membership, please visit the website at www.jlsummit.org or contact the office at 908-273-7349.
