East Brunswick Resident, Local Biz Get Award For Community Service

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – Every year, the township recognizes residents and organization for their contribution to the community. The annual “Friends of Recreation, Parks and Community Services Award” is given each year to identify dedicated individuals and organizations for their outstanding service to the community.

In its 27th year the individual award was given to Diana Weiner and the civic organization/ business award went to Eighteen Lumber.

Weiner is a lifelong resident of East Brunswick and an East Brunswick High School Alumni. She has been an active member of the community participating in buddy baseball, basketball and was a St. Bart’s Buffalo challenger cheerleader.

She has volunteered after aging out of the recreational programs and continued to share her love of cheerleading at East Brunswick High School as a participant with a disability. Weiner has also volunteered at East Brunswick Day representing the Daisy Recreation Program and annually at the East Brunswick Education Association Barnes & Noble Book Fair and the East Brunswick Education Foundation Dance Off.

Weiner has also volunteered at the Daisy Association Tricky Tray and currently gives back to the Daisy Recreation Program as an employee.

In 1965 John Dobrzynski Sr. and his brother, Mark, opened a little store along Route 18 and began selling lumber and giving advice to contractors, residents and anyone else who needed it. “What has always set Eighteen Lumber apart is that they sell good, quality supplies and their strong relationships with their customers. The family business has helped build and sustain one of East Brunswick’s best known family run businesses in town by carrying lumber, hardware, paint, tools, deck supplies and more,” the Recreation & Parks Department said.

Since its inception, Eighteen Lumber has been a place customers can get advice.

“Not only can customers go to Eighteen Lumber for advice, but the family business has supported the East Community for decades,” the Recreation & Parks Department said..

The business has also actively supported the local Scout troops who perform numerous Eagle Scout projects within the township’s large park system. Many of these projects include the scout’s building benches, picnic tables, bird boxes, bat boxes, dog park play elements, shade structures, foot bridges, etc. Most of the supplies and lumber have been donated by Eighteen Lumber.

One recent project involved repairing and replacing several benches and kiosks at Butterfly Park located within Great Oak Park. "They consistently come through to support our youth and their endeavors to give back to EB. Eighteen Lumber is a shining example of a small business giving back to their community ten-fold and we are grateful for their long-time support,” the Recreation & Parks Department said.

The award winners will be recognized by Mayor Brad Cohen and the Township Council at their meeting of Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Courtroom of the East Brunswick Municipal Building.

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