'Volunteer Of The Year' Honored In Summit

SUMMIT, NJ — Donna Goggin Patel was honored on Wednesday night as the City of Summit 2026 Volunteer of the Year.

Mayor Dr. Elizabeth Fagan presented Donna with the award in recognition of her "exceptional dedication and service" to the community.

During her eight years of volunteer work, she has worked to support the Environmental Commission's efforts to help protect natural resources and improve the quality of life in Summit in a number of ways.

Donna has served as the Chair of the Environmental Commission since 2019 and led projects like the Tiny Forest, annual Earth Day clean-up, the Community Energy Plan, and adjustments to the Environmental Resource Inventory.

"It's my privilege to serve on the Environmental Commission," Patel said. "I feel fortunate to live in a community that focuses on sustainability and the environment to the extent that Summit has for decades now."

She also heads the effort to catalog in detail the City's sustainability actions and policies in order to secure Summit's "Sustainable Jersey" certification.

"We are incredibly fortunate to have Donna as a City volunteer," said Fagan. "The impact of her work...will last for many years into the future, and our City is undeniably a better place to live, work, and visit because of her efforts."

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