October 9, 2024 | Mercer Oaks, West Windsor NJ
Thank You
For Making Our Anniversary Gala a Success!
We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of our anniversary gala. Your support, enthusiasm, and dedication made this event truly memorable.
The proceeds from this event will benefit our programs, further supporting our efforts to help seniors and disabled adults live independent and engaged lives.
Congratulations 2024 Honorees
Margie Bissinger, MS, PT, CHC
Integrative Health Coach, and Bone Health Advocate
Mercer County Board of County Commissioners
John A. Cimino, Kristin L. McLaughlin, Samuel T. Frisby, Cathleen M. Lewis, Nina D. Melker, Terrance Stokes, Lucylle R.S. Walter
Event Sponsors
Thank you for your generosity and support!
Sunlight Sponsors
Starlight Sponsors
Twilight Sponsors
Thank you to Raffle Baskets Donors
We are incredibly grateful to the individuals and local businesses who supported our gala with their generous donations for the raffle
baskets and silent auction.
Adrienne Rossi | Angelo’s Trattoria | Carla Winters
Carmen Bernard | Constance Offer | Cross & Shamrock | David Toner
Dolce & Clemente | Elaine & Steven Tanimura | Elizabeth Upham
Grounds for Sculpture | Hand & Stone | Himali Arora Janet Zito
Jersey Girl Café | Kelsey Theatre | Lauri Harbison
Majestic Beauty by Laura | Mangia Brick Oven Pizza & Grill
Maria Sergio | Marie Tagliaferri | Kusuma Basappa | Marylou Cimini
Maureen Cozzi | Melissa Horne | Mercer County Park Commission | Nevonne Darkes | Old Town Pub | Paul Jellinek | Paula & Ronald Mindzak | Pedal Pushers | Ristorante Lucca & Piano Bar | Rutgers University | Sparkling Fresh Cleaning | Starbucks | Toscano Ristorante
Trent Jewelers
Congratulations to 2024 Gala Honorees
Margie Bissinger, MS, PT, CHC
Margie Bissinger is a physical therapist, integrative health coach, and happiness trainer. Margie has over 25 years of experience helping people with osteoporosis and osteopenia improve their bone health through a comprehensive integrative approach. She is the author of Osteoporosis: An Exercise Guide. Margie hosts the Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast and has hosted three online summits on Natural Approaches to Osteoporosis and Bone Health. Margie has been a volunteer member of the New Jersey Interagency Council on Osteoporosis for over two decades where she helps oversee Project Healthy Bones and other state osteoporosis initiatives. Margie created the Move Today exercise program that older adults are involved in throughout New Jersey.
Margie believes that happiness plays an integral role in our bone and overall health. She has been teaching her patients and class participants happiness habits for over 40 years and has seen the powerful effects happiness has on chronic pain and recovery.
Margie has lectured to Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, hospitals, and women’s groups throughout the country. She has been featured in the New York Times, Menopause Management, OB GYN News and contributed to numerous health and fitness books.
Mercer County Board of County Commissioners
County Commissioner Overview
A County Commissioner is an elected part-time legislator at the county level. In Mercer County, seven Commissioners are elected county-wide for three-year staggered terms. The Board shapes county policies, balances the County Executive’s powers, approves contracts, advises on appointments, and oversees the budget. They also support grants and approve county funds for local groups like Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County.
Chair – John A. Cimino
John A. Cimino has been on the Commissioner Board since 2009. He is the Chief Strategy Officer at T&M Associates who has served on a wide-range of community and athletic boards. In 2022, he was named County Commissioner of the Year by the New Jersey Association of Counties and has served as Chair of the Board of NJAC.
Vice Chair – Kristin McLaughlin
Kristin McLaughlin, a Harvard and Columbia graduate, moved to Mercer County in 2008. She was elected to the Hopewell Township Committee in 2016, served as Mayor in 2019 and 2020, and joined the Mercer County Board of Commissioners in 2021. She focuses on collaboration, effective services, and transparent government.
Samuel T. Frisby Sr.
Samuel T. Frisby Sr. has spent over 30 years advocating for children and underserved communities. He has been a County Commissioner for five terms, served in New Jersey’s State Capital city government, developed nationally recognized programs, and revitalized the Capital Area YMCA.
Cathleen Lewis
Cathleen Lewis joined the Board in 2022. Before that, she was a Lawrence Township Council Member from 2012 to 2022, serving as Mayor in 2014 and 2015. She has been active on various boards and committees, including currently serving on the board of Central and Southern Girl Scouts and the NJ Bike/Walk Coalition.
Nina Melker
Nina Melker has more than 40 years of banking experience and is deeply involved in the community. She serves on several boards, including the Board of Trustees for RWJ Barnabas Hamilton Hospital, RWJ Barnabas New Brunswick and supports many non-profit organizations including Ryan’s Quest and the Miracle League of Mercer County.
Terrance Stokes
Terrance Stokes, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, joined the Board in 2022. He works for the Trenton Board of Education and is a community activist, founding the Trenton Youth Development Initiative and serving as President of Trenton Youth Football.
Lucy Walter
Lucy Walter retired after serving 30 years as a teacher of Special Education, she was first elected to the Commissioner Board in 1998. Her former public service includes the Ewing Township School Board, Planning Board and representative to the Statewide Cross Acceptance Plan. She currently is a FINRA arbitrator and volunteer for ESGR.