View full sizeOtis
Sistrunk, left, received the Lifetime Achievement Award during the
annual Community Spirit Awards at the Centerton Country Club in
Pittsgrove Thursday evening. At center is Sistrunk's wife, Vanessa, and
at right, Ralph Padilla, chairman of the board of the United Way of
Salem County.PITTSGROVE TWP.
— The 16th Annual Salem County Community Spirit Awards were held here Thursday, celebrating the dedication and commitment of Salem County’s volunteers and unsung heroes.
The ceremony at the Centerton Country Club was presented by the United Way of Salem County, The Partners of Salem County and the Salem County Chamber of Commerce, with over 250 people in attendance.
While a number of individuals and groups were recognized and thanked during the event, the most prestigious award of the night, the Lifetime Achievement Award, went to community volunteer Otis Sistrunk.
Sistrunk, who lives in
with his wife, Vanessa, has been chairman of boards for the United Way and the Salem County Chamber of Commerce, a member of
, the Education Foundation for the Salem County Vocational Technical School, and involved with countless other business and community organizations.
He has been serving the Salem County community for nearly two decades, and is described as a devoted father of four, grandfather of three and a deacon at the Morning Star Baptist Church in
In receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Sistrunk said he was surprised and the recognition was completely unexpected.
“I’m speechless,” he said. “Salem County is a special place full of very special people and I know in my heart all the nominees being recognized tonight are trying to do what’s best for their community. I’m honored to be recognized among this group of volunteers.”
Sistrunk said his first experience with volunteering came at the age of 15 when he moved with his family from Philadelphia to
As a young man in “culture shock” from the move, Sistrunk said he found comfort in joining the local ambulance squad.
“To our young folks in the community, I encourage you to stay involved and volunteer,” said Sistrunk. “It helps you in ways you can’t even imagine… I have received so much more back over these years than I could ever give.”
United Way of Salem County Board Chairman
presented Sistrunk with the award, and called him a volunteer “of historical proportions.”
“I’m proud to present the award to a man who has shown exceptional commitment to his community, his family, and faith. Otis for years has served the people of Salem County with no agenda but to improve the quality of life,” said Padilla.
Other awards of the night went to Adult Individual honorees Louise Foley and Kay Cawman, and Adult Group honorees, South Jersey Robotics and Smick Lumber.
View full sizeThird
District Assemblyman John Burzichelli, left, with United Way of Salem
County Executive Director Tim Dolan at Thursday's Community Spirit
Awards.Pennsville Memorial High School senior Michael Hoffman was named the winner of the award for Youth Individual volunteer.
“I’m honored that Salem County recognizes what I’ve done. I try to help out in the community, and I enjoy doing that,” said Hoffman.
The Salem Future Business Leaders of America were named the top Youth Volunteer Group.
“Even though it’s the FBLA that’s nominated, there were many other students that have helped with our success. We’re accepting this nomination on behalf of all Salem High School students that do community service,” said FBLA advisor Suzanne Landolfi.
Executive Director of the United Way Tim Dolan said the award event celebrated the true sense of community spirit, and seeks to recognize volunteers who give so much to the community while asking for nothing in return.
“The idea of this event is to bring the community together. The United Way is about living united. Friends, neighbors and co-workers have nominated each other for doing good in the community, and commend each other for volunteering,” said Dolan. “That’s the true sense of community spirit.”
Following are the nominees and winners at Thursday’s annual Community Spirit Awards:
AWARD
Otis Sistrunk
Nominees:
Meredith Avakian
Kay Cawman
Janice Corbin
Jan Bernard
Robert Boon
Jim Counsellor
Kent Davis
Michael Dilks
Tina DiNicola
Louise Foley
Laura Harvey
Paul Kell III
Anthony Morda
Ruth Ottinger
Otis Sistrunk
Doug Tjaden
William “Skip” Wentzell
Kay Cawman
Louise Foley
Nominees:
Salem County Office on Aging
DuPont Chambers Works Ambassador Team
Habitat for Humanity Tuesday Crew
Habitat For Humanity, ReStore Volunteers
Penns Grove Rotary Club
South Jersey Robotics
Salem County Fraternal Order of Police
Salem County CERT Team
Smick Lumber
South Jersey Robotics
Smick Lumber
Nominees:
Corrine Bittner
Kelsey Cole
Megan Coleman
Greg Conner
Michael Hoffman
Katie Skwirut
Winner:
Michael Hoffman
Nominees:
Carneys Point - Penns Grove MAPSA Police Explorers
FBLA Salem High School
Salem Community Youth Choir
Tri Boro 4-H Hoofbeats
Tri M Music Honor Society Woodstown High School
FBLA Salem High School
Contact Michael Williams at (856) 935-1500 or via email
at