Ria Benerofe, community wellness program associate (left), and Debbie Millar, RN, director of community wellness and engagement at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, were honored during the annual New Jersey Recreation & Park Association (NJRPA) conference in March.
Millar and Benerofe both received the Fay S. Mathewson Friend of Recreation, Parks and Conservation Award to recognize their volunteerism supporting the NJRPA.
Community Wellness’ primary role with Princeton Health is to provide health education classes and wellness programming throughout the community to reach people who might otherwise be unaware of these offerings. As part of that effort, the CW staff work with many different businesses, nonprofits, and government entities – including parks and rec departments – throughout the area to find new venues where Princeton Health can provide programming for new audiences.
Benerofe, who previously worked for the NJRPA, began volunteering in the exhibit hall during annual NJRPA conferences and later expanded her efforts to include leading early morning yoga classes and assisting with conference preparation. Millar first volunteered with NJRPA by providing sessions on diversity and inclusion programming. She then continued donating her time, teaching educational sessions at NJRPA conferences.