Lori Huff Awarded 2022 Somerset County Volunteer Of The Year

Press release from the Township of Montgomery:

Jan. 27, 2023

Community volunteer Lori Huff was recognized by the Montgomery Township Committee on January 19 for her outstanding volunteer work with the Municipal Alliance /Youth Services Commission. She was chosen as the “2022 Somerset County Volunteer of the Year” by the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (GCADA).

As chair of the alliance, Huff has organized programming to prevent drug and alcohol abuse, and provided access to mental health resources and education during the Covid-19 pandemic. She has orchestrated many memorable initiatives during her seven years as a volunteer, which include the recently opened “Project Medicine Drop” outside the police department to collect unused and expired prescription medications.

“Lori has elevated the work of one of the most important volunteer boards in our community,” commended Mayor Devra Keenan. “Our Municipal Alliance continues to be one of the most active in the region because of her, and this outreach and education has helped improve people’s lives.”

One activity Huff takes pride in is the “Don’t Give Up” campaign that placed lawn signs throughout Montgomery to spread positive and encouraging messages reminding residents that they are not alone during the pandemic. She continues to reinforce this message with content on Facebook, promoting self-care tips, mental health and suicide awareness information, and substance abuse prevention resources.

“By bringing together our local health department, schools and volunteers, Lori has been a guiding force in improving our community’s collective well-being,” said Health Officer Devangi Patel. “We are proud of her recognition by GCADA and even more thankful for the work she does each day.”

Huff is responsible for the monthly update sent out by the alliance and maintaining the Facebook and Instagram accounts. “I always hope that the right message finds the right person just when they need it,” she remarked. Since taking over as chair, she has helped the alliance reach broader name recognition, which she credits to the presence on social media. “Reaching more people with our messages is an ongoing goal.”

This press release was produced by the Township of Montgomery. The views expressed here are the author's own.