Junior League of Summit Announces 2016 Jean Hudson Gano Community Service Award Recipient

The Junior League of Summit (JLS) proudly presented this year’s Jean Hudson Gano Community Service Award to Kari Phair of Summit. This award is given annually to recognize outstanding contributions to the community by either an individual or a nonprofit organization. Through this award, the JLS honors Jean Hudson Gano, a JLS member, mother of three, and outstanding community volunteer who died of breast cancer in May of 1997 at 41 years of age.

Kari, a distinguished EMT, has been with the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad (SVFAS) for 25 years and has held multiple positions within the organization. She is currently Chief of Operations, a position she has held for more than 14 years. While a typical volunteer donates upwards of 600 hours of service per year, Kari dedicates well over 900 hours to the squad in addition to volunteering her time elsewhere in the community. She also proudly serves as a Special Olympics Volunteer, caring for special needs children; an EMS State Task Force member; a Union County Office of Emergency Medical Services Coordinator; a Union County Superior Court Mental Health Committee Member; a Summit Area Chapter of American Red Cross Board Member; a Central Jersey Technical Rescue Team Member; and a YMCA Board Member. Kari clearly exhibits an exemplary and extraordinary commitment to volunteerism, community service and particularly to issues regarding women and children just like Jean Hudson Gano, for which this Award was named. Congratulations and thank you Kari! The Junior League of Summit is currently accepting nominations for the 2017 Jean Hudson Gano award. If you know someone who's exceptional contributions to our community deserve to be recognized, please contact our office at jlsofficemanager@gmail.com.

The Junior League of Summit is a nonprofit, charitable and educational organization of women who are committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. For more information about the Junior League of Summit or to inquire about membership, please visit the website at www.jlsummit.org or contact the office at 908-273-7349.

Pictured in photo from left: Michelle DeMuth, JLS President; Kari Phair; Erika Melchiorre, JLS Administrative VP