The 22nd Lawrence Township Economic Development Awards

Posthumous Honoring of

Andy Frank

Andy Frank, a dedicated husband and father, is posthumously honored for his life of service, which was the organizing principle of his professional career. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Andy was profoundly impacted by a childhood experience during a family trip to see a Broadway show, where he first witnessed homelessness and poverty. This encounter sparked his lifelong commitment to service.

Andy embarked on his educational journey in Jerusalem, spending a year in college before returning to the United States to attend Brandeis University, where he graduated with distinction and a degree in sociology. A true child of the 1960s, Andy was driven by a desire to make a difference. He furthered his education with a Master’s Degree from Columbia University, after which he joined the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, America's largest Jewish charity. At a notably young age, still in his 20s, Andy briefly served as the Acting Executive Director.

His career trajectory took him from New York City to New Jersey, where he became the Director of Budgets and Allocations for the multimillion-dollar Jewish Federation of MetroWest in northern New Jersey. Later, he became the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks and settled in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, where he raised two of his youngest children.

After an 18-year tenure as Executive Director, Andy did not slow down in retirement. He engaged actively in both local and national political campaigns and served on the Board of Millhill, a social service organization in Trenton. Encouraged by his wife, he also ventured into new territory, focusing on Growth and Redevelopment in Lawrence Township, where he applied his extensive experience to innovate in new areas.

Known for his intellect, kindness, listening skills, and sense of humor, Andy was a lifelong learner and an avid reader who was always willing to lend a helping hand. His legacy is carried on by his family, including his children, Josh, Judah, Eva, and Max, who deeply appreciate the recognition of his efforts and contributions, ensuring that his legacy of service continues to inspire.

Keynote Speaker

Wioletta Wyszynski

Wioletta Wyszynski is a dynamic entrepreneur, mother, and humanitarian, proudly celebrating 20 years of successful business endeavors and philanthropic achievements. As a devoted parent, she has skillfully balanced her entrepreneurial journey and family life while helming five diverse businesses ranging from real estate ventures to health and wellness-focused enterprises like The Beauty Bar Design Studio, VIVA Ballroom Dance and Fitness Studio, Crave Nature’s Eatery. Wioletta's impact extends beyond the business realm. For 15 years, she has organized religious pilgrimages and led a nonprofit supporting ill children. Her unwavering commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others is to fuse her entrepreneurial spirit with her dedication to societal contributions. By prioritizing personal endeavors such as dancing, fitness, and self-improvement, she believes in nurturing a holistic lifestyle. Her vision includes expanding her business ventures, like Crave Nature's Eatery, to offer nutritious food options and create a community hub for creative, wellness, and educational events. As she embarks on this continuing journey, with her sights set on the next 20 years, she remains committed to continuous growth, entrepreneurship, and community, celebrating the power of dreams and creating spaces where dreams can become realities.

Mayor’s Award

Every Child Valued

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Every Child Valued (ECV) is a current manifestation of a progression of social justice work that began in the late 1960s when a group of community members including our Executive Director, Fred Vereen, Jr., persistently lobbied Lawrence Township to allow for the construction of its first low and moderate-income housing development, Eggerts Crossing Village (EC Village). The 100-unit housing development, after its creation in 1974, has been overseen by Lawrence Non-Profit Housing, Inc. (LNPH), under which Mr. Vereen served as Manager of EC Village from 1974 to 2008. During the 1980s and 1990s, a number of residents expressed strong concerns because EC Village students were being singled out by the school district and placed in special education classrooms. At the same time, the school district activated around a related problem: internal data demonstrated that children from low-income families were more likely to fall behind in school and were less likely to have parental involvement in their education. In 1999, Mr. Vereen called a meeting of community stakeholders to address these issues and formulate solutions. Recognizing that reversing the achievement gap in public school classrooms would require a sustained and collaborative effort, LNPH, the school district, and a number of community partners created an After School Program in 2001. This program coalesced into Every Child Valued, which became a separate non-profit entity in 2009. Our mission is to motivate the young residents of Lawrence Township to reach their highest potential as educated and fulfilled adults, to strengthen families, and to combat racial, cultural, and socio-economic isolation, and to build a sense of community.

ECV's programs and activities include:

• As mentioned, an After School Program in partnership with the Lawrence Township Public Schools that provides tutoring, homework assistance, academic enrichment, character education and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Activities to students in grades K-6 in Lawrence Township from Eggerts Crossing Village and throughout the community. It is administered out of two community centers, one in Eggerts Crossing Village.

• A Breakfast Program which launched in September 2018 as part of the All Kids Thrive Initiative through the Princeton Area Community Foundation in an effort to combat chronic absenteeism in the Mercer County region. The Breakfast Program, which this school year has 70 children enrolled from Eggerts Crossing Village, serves a meal each school day and provides a positive start to their morning. Last school year, ECV provided 6,173 meals/breakfast bags.

• A Summer Enrichment Program that consists of academic enrichment sessions; extracurricular activities including STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics) workshops; visual arts instruction; and other recreational activities. The program maximizes academic retention between grades, supports working parents, and bolsters critical thinking in our students.

• A free evening Tutoring and Mentoring Program targeting middle and high school students who have 'aged out' of the After School Program and/or youth from Eggerts Crossing Village.

• A Running Club, added in 2023, created by two ECV alumni who were attending TCNJ and one of our board members who are both passionate about running. This was offered in two sessions, the first for middle and high school students and the second session for elementary school students when our Summer Enrichment Program concluded. In addition to running, the Club was designed to teach grit and perseverance. Every running session starts with a lesson on determination.

• Parenting workshops/family activities including recently a Parenting in the Pandemic workshop series with a licensed therapist (free counseling is also available to our children and families)

• Other activities including theater/music; visual arts; sports, and cultural events.

New Small Business

Bountiful Gardens

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Just like our plants, our company, Bountiful Gardens, is always growing thanks to our faithful customers and their request for more services. Our list of services are not only landscape design, installation, and maintenance. We now offer our Container Gardens and Holiday Decorating in our Seasonal Packages. We offer Workshops and Classes at all three locations. Check out our Events Calendar for a full list of what we're hosting!

Lawrence Legacy Award

Trenton Farmers Market 

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In the early 1900's, a group of farmers came by horse and carriage to Trenton to sell their produce right near the Trenton Makes bridge. As the thoroughfare between New York and Philadelphia, the Trenton Farmers Market continues to be the area’s best spot to shop for freshly harvested produce.

In 1939, in anticipation of the City of Trenton needing the property to build the infrastructure known as Route 29, the Trenton Market Growers Cooperative Association was formed and property was purchased on Spruce Street. The original market buildings were moved and the Trenton Farmers Market proudly opened in 1948. What began with three parallel buildings in 1948 became the current cross shape by literally cutting the center building in half and affixing it to the eastern building in 1968. Outdoor stalls gave way to an indoor facility with overhead doors to give the Market its open, outdoor look as soon as the beautiful weather and our farmers return each season.

Over the years, the Market branched into the sale of other foods such as fresh meats, baked goods, poultry, plants, flowers, jewelry, apparel and flea market- items, to provide a full complement to your shopping experience.

The seven farms you see in the Marketplace are members of the Farmer Cooperative and several serve as board members. The Market has had only seven managers since 1939. Trenton resident Bill Kearney was hired in early 2023 and remains the current, and seventh manager.

Ralph Copleman Environmental Award

Cherry Grove Organic Farm

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Along with Mary Stuehler and Chris Thern, Matt Conver started Cherry Grove Organic Farm in 2002 when he was offered the opportunity to lease 19 acres of land in Lawrence Township from the Hamill family. For over 20 years, Cherry Grove Organic Farm has dedicated its business to growing a wide variety of organic vegetables, flowers, and herbs. By choosing to farm organically, they have avoided the use of toxic, synthetic chemicals and stimulants while promoting healthy soil through soil-improving crops and balanced farming practices. For over 20 years, the staff at CGOF has also enjoyed all of the people they have come to know in our community while providing organic produce to CSA members, customers at their barn store and NJ Farmers' markets, and donations to local food cupboards.