20 'Outstanding' Union Co. Residents Honored By HR Commission

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Fourteen "outstanding" individuals and six organizations were nominated and selected for their dedicated efforts to foster human rights, human relations and human dignity among the people of Union County.

The Union County Human Relation’s Commission’s 2020 award recipients were presented with their long-awaited Unity Achievement Awards on Thursday, June 9 at Kean University's STEM Center in the Township of Union.

The 19th annual presentation was slated for May 2020 but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Award categories included achievements by a corporate/business enterprise, community organization, nonprofit organization, individual, member of law enforcement, public servant, student, educator, clergy, faith-based organization, military/veteran and member of the media.

“The commission is proud to recognize our local role models who dedicate themselves to helping others and strengthening our communities,” Commissioner Co-Chair Dr. Martin Dickerson said. “These regular people do extraordinary things to make others’ lives better, and the evening’s presentation highlights all of the good that is being accomplished in Union County.”

The mission of the Union County Human Relations Commission is to actively encourage, develop, promote and strengthen respect for human rights and cultural diversity among the people of Union County.

Here are some of the award winners from Cranford, Scotch Plains/Fanwood, Summit and Westfield:

Cranford

Edward Davenport, the director of Cranford TV-35, was recognized for "proving a steady stream of information and, personally, for being an inspiration."

"While Cranford’s TV-35 does not have HBO movies, ratings, or non-stop coverage, it does have one major asset: Ed Davenport, who has been a part of the station from its start, and currently serves as its director. TV-35 runs 24/7/365, and its viewership of over 350,000 households enjoy its homegrown programming offerings, which are geared to Cranford residents and cover local and Union County news and events," the award description says.

Shining Stars Network — a non-profit that shines a light on the special needs community — also received a Unity Award Achievement by a NonProfit Organization.

Scotch Plains/Fanwood

Mallory Banks, an alumni of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School's Class of 2020, received a Unity Award for spreading autism awareness in her community.

Since she was in third grade, Banks was committed to spreading awareness about autism, according to the award description. She launched several community events, including Rockin' for Autism — an all-day festival in La Grande Park in Fanwood.

"Mallory is making a huge difference for those affected by autism spectrum disorder, and has put the issue on the forefront in her local community," the award descriptions says.

Mallory is now a sophomore at the University of Tampa, majoring in Psychology and minoring in dance.

Summit

Rabbi Avi Friedman of Congregation Ohr Shalom/ Summit Jewish Community Center in Summit was recognized for his work serving the Jewish community in Summit, as well as advocating for people with disability who confront daily issues of bias and prejudice where they live, work, attend school and socialize.

Friedman came to Summit after spending six years as the Rabbi at the Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh, which the nation came to know as the site of the horrific attack on a Sabbath morning, in Oct. 2018, when 11 Jewish worshippers were murdered by a gunman.

"At that time, and during other tragedies, Rabbi Friedman has rallied his neighbors in a call for action. When a shooting occurred at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, Ohr Shalom congregants lined the walkway of the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge as its members came together for their prayer services, to remind them that they do not stand alone against hatred, and that they have friends and allies," the award description says.

Westfield

Maureen Mazzarese the Supervisor of Guidance at Westfield Public Schools was recognized for her dedication, determination, creativity and "heartfelt interventions" at Westfield Schoo;s.

According to the UCHRC, Mazzarese has committed her entire 30-year career to student balance and wellness, assisting thousands of students, parents, families, and school staff though a lifetime of education and public service.

She is also a published author and an instruct at state universities, and for professional organizations.

Dr. Derrick Nelson, the former principal of Westfield High School, was also recognized for his "selfless sacrifice in compassionate service to others."

Nelson died in April of 2019 after undergoing a bone marrow donation procedure for a 14-year-old boy in France. Nelson lapsed into a coma during the procedure and died on April 8, 2019.

"Dr. Nelson was a man of immense warmth, character and kindness," the award description says. "Dr. Nelson started his career in the corporate sector, but quit that job to serve others — for 20 years in the United States Army Reserve, including deployment to Kuwait in 2013, and as a public school educator."