County Clerk Honors East Hanover Senior with 2018 Cissy Laureys Senior Volunteer Award
Published on May 30, 2018
Rita Politi is Very Deserving Awardee
(JPG, 499KB) Rita Politi of East Hanover is the 2018 Cissy Laureys Senior Volunteer Award winner
Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi recently held the third annual Cecilia Cissy Laureys Senior Volunteer Award ceremony at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township.
The Cissy Laureys Award for outstanding community service recognizes a deserving person for outstanding community service to the constituencies that the late Morris County Freeholder and Netcong Councilwoman Laureys championed.
I am happy to celebrate Older Americans Month by holding this annual ceremony in honor of Cissy's lifetime of dedicated service, said County Clerk Grossi.
(JPG, 924KB) Rita Politi of East Hanover surrounded by her family
Nineteen Morris County municipalities nominated an outstanding resident for consideration for this year's award, with East Hanover's nominee, Rita Politi, named the 2018 winner.
In addition to County Clerk Grossi, Sheriff James Gannon, Freeholder Deborah Smith, East Hanover Mayor Joe Pannullo, and Detective Patrick LaGuerre from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office also participated in the event.
For more than 40 years, Rita Politi has been an active volunteer with the Friends of East Hanover, a non-profit organization that helps special needs children and adults in the community. A highlight of this program is the annual pool party she hosts.
In 1978, Rita joined forces with Tom Rinaldi as a volunteer on the Recreation Commission and helped organize programs for children and seniors in the community. Their efforts continue today through the East Hanover Recreation Department.
Rita also has delivered meals-on-wheels, served on the Hanover Park High School scholarship committee, and participated in the DARE program.
She has been an officer and member of the St. Rose of Lima Rosary Altar Society, caring for altar linens, hand sewing baptismal cloths, making pizza for the schoolchildren and singing in the choir.
Most recently, Rita has been involved with the Ralph Politi Jr. Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit set up in memory of her son, Ralph Jr., that awards scholarships to qualifying high school seniors both at Hanover Park and Whippany Park high schools, and that also provides support to many organizations, charities and community members in need.
At 89 years young, she has been married to Ralph Politi for 67 years, and is the mother of nine children and grandmother to 22 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, but still finds time for her church and community and for demonstrating compassion and service.
Congratulations to Rita Politi!
Photos and details about each nominee can be found on the Morris County Clerk's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MorrisCountyClerk/