HelpLightNJ is a distinguished finalist in Governor Chris Christie & Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno’s Prudential Spirit of Community Award.

From MyCentralJersey.com:

“Paula Pilipovic, 17, co-founded HelplightNJ which raises funds to buy energy efficient light bulbs for low-income and senior citizens in an attempt to reduce energy consumption and lower electrical bill costs. She is responsible for organizing light bulb distributions in senior centers and housing authorities all over New Jersey and educates citizens  about clean energy and proper recycling methods for the light bulbs, as well as about the potential savings. Paula also personally coordinates a team of 10 other partner high schools and helps them set up distributions across the state in an effort to promote clean energy education. So far, HelplightNJ has given away more than 150,000 light bulbs to a total of 25,000 families throughout all of New Jersey. In addition, they have saved state residences more than $15 million off of their electrical bills and help save 117 million pounds in CO2 emissions which is equivalent to 10,000 cars off the roads. each other, participate in leadership opportunities and be honored for their good deeds.”

From Build-A-Bear:

Cubgratulations to the 2010 Huggable Heroes finalists! Build-A-Bear Workshop is pleased to be able to recognize young people doing great things in their community. These beary special people are an inspiration to us and all those around them. In mid-July we will announce the 2010 Huggable Heroes.

Paula P., Middletown, NJ, United States

From 92.7 WOBM – Ocean Countys Hometown Station:

A bright idea could earn a Monmouth County teenager Build-A-Bear Workshop’s Huggable Heroes title this June. The program honors young people making a difference in their communities and the world. 17-year-old Paula Pilipovic of Middletown is co-founder of HELPLIGHTNJ. Her charitable group has been distributing energy saving light bulbs to New Jersey’s low income and elderly residents since 2007.

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Congratulations to Paula Pilipovic for being selected as a member of the 22nd Class of Coca-Cola Scholars. Paula was selected from more than 2,200 high school senior semifinalists for this award, and ultimately she was one of the 200 finalists nationwide who received a four-year college scholarship of $10,000. This prestigious award recognizes tomorrow’s leaders, and Paula was recently honored at a banquet for the scholarship winners in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dear Mr. Erickson:

Due to the insights of fine educators and community leaders, like you, our review committee is far better prepared to evaluate the students who make up the Coca-Cola
Scholar class each year. Your input provides valuable information to the review committee which evaluated more than 2,100 applications. We recognize the demands on
your time, but the opportunity to see each student within the context of his/her school or community often brings to light important insight to the character, achievements and
commitment of the applicant.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has been awarding scholarships for post-secondary education since 1989. With the incoming class, we will have designated more than 4,500
awards to tomorrow’s leaders for nearly $42 million. We have successfully maintained contact with our Scholars throughout their college years and during their time in graduate
school and the world of work. This provides a rich network for Paula Pilipovic, and we look forward to developing our relationship over the years. The alumni have established
an association which is developing into an exciting, innovative and impactful organization across the United States, as well as abroad.

As you may know, Paula will be attending the 22nd Annual Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta from March 25-28, 2010. At this time the 250 students interview for one of
two levels of award: $10,000 or $25,000 to be used at the college or university of their choice.

Again, thank you for your time and commitment to the development of young people. We welcome your input and comments regarding our program.

Sincerely,
J. Mark Davis, President

Middletown Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger recognizes HelpLightNJ and Matt Erickson with Proclamation along with Middletown organization Breast Friends Forever

Three Township Students Earn Top Honors for Community Service

MIDDLETOWN – Three Middletown students were named top honorees in the Prudential Sprit of Community Awards program. The nationwide program honors young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.

Matthew Erickson, Michael Ruane and Erika Rech represent three of the eight New Jersey residents recognized by the program this year. The Township Committee commended the students for their impressive community service activities during the April meeting.

“The fact nearly 40 percent of the New Jersey students honored by the program are from Middletown speaks volumes about the wonderful caliber of our young people,” said Mayor Gerard P. Scharfenberger. “Matthew, Michael and Erika are the embodiment of
the township’s enormous volunteer spirit. I am very proud that that the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program has recognized each of them for their admirable volunteer contributions.”

Matthew Erickson, 17, a senior at Mater Dei High School, co-founded “HelpLight NJ,” a volunteer effort that has raised money to replace 82,000 incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs for 13,000 families. Students at 19 high
schools now participate in Matthew’s program. Learn more about the program at www.helplightnj.com

EXCELLENCE
2010
MONMOUTH COUNTY GUIDANCE DIRECTORS’
CARING AWARD

Matthew Erickson

Lenore M. Kingsmore, President, MCGDA
March 19th, 2010

Congratulations! You have been selected to receive an engraved bronze Distinguished Finalist medallion in The 2010 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for your outstanding volunteer work! This means that you were chosen by our state-level judges as one of the top six runners-up in this year’s program in New Jersey. This is a great honor for you, your school and your community. You are an exemplary role model for your peers.

We will be making arrangements soon with the person who certified your application to present your medallion to you. In addition, we will notify the news media about your award on February 9 when we announce all of the state-level honorees in New Jersey.

We also are delighted to inform you that, based on the number of volunteer hours indicated on your application last fall, you have qualified for the President’s Volunteer Service Award! On behalf of President Obama, we have sent your President’s Volunteer Service Award certificate and a letter from the President to the person who certified your application, who will arrange to have them presented to you.

Thank you for participating in our awards program this year, and thank you most of all for your inspiring commitment to serving your community. Contributions like yours make our communities and our entire nation stronger. On behalf of Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, we salute you for your achievement.

Sincerely,

John R. Strangfeld
Chairman and CEO
Prudential Financial

Gerald N. Tirozzi
Executive Director
NASSP