Mike Morsch, Regional Editor
East Windsor Township Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Hightstown Borough Mayor Lawrence Quattrone hosted the Mayors Shining Star Gala May 20, a standing-room only charity event to raise funds for Better Beginnings, a local child development center., “The gala is to honor our ‘Shining Stars’ who help contribute to and better our community and to raise money for Better Beginnings which provides an important opportunity for high quality affordable child care for working families in our community,” said Mayor Mironov. “The enormous turnout and support is a meaningful tribute to the many lives which have been touched and enriched over these many years by receiving a ‘better beginning’ and the good works of this organization.”, A mayoral proclamation congratulated Better Beginnings on celebrating a milestone 50th anniversary and “recognizes this exceptional child care facility for providing affordable quality care for families and their children in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment for the past 50 years.” It further notes, “Better Beginnings has continued to advance their important mission of providing the children of working parents with an affordable enriched early childhood educational program that will provide a pathway for strong, healthy, self-reliant children and families.”, The gala honored individuals, groups and businesses as 2017 Shining Stars for their contributions to the community, including: Jacqueline K. Bodin, Lifetime Achievement Award; Ellen Ogintz, Individual Award; CCL Label, Business Award; Princeton Area Community Foundation, Organization Award; and the Peddie School Better Beginning Club, Youth Award., Better Beginnings, a non-profit organization, has been serving children and families in East Windsor and Hightstown since 1967. It was founded as a facility to provide economical disadvantaged children of the community with the opportunity and resources to reach their full academic potential., Over the years, Better Beginnings has expanded its program to a licensed capacity of 99 children and has evolved into an early childhood education center accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.,
