Janet Trippi chosen to receive award at SYFS gala By Lori Berkey, Contributing Writer 10/28/2005

Shrewsbury - Shrewsbury resident Janet Trippi began her pervasive habit of community service 30 years ago when her daughter, Elizabeth, was in Camp Fire Girls and Trippi volunteered locally for the organization. Inspired by the service actions of another volunteer there, Trippi widened her scope of helping and has since made volunteer work her lifestyle. She has been chosen by Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services (SYFS) to receive the Harry S. Cutting Jr. Award during the agency's annual gala dinner dance Saturday, March 11, 2006.
   According to Jeff Chin, SYFS's executive director, the award was named after Cutting because of his renowned philanthropy in Shrewsbury and his active community service. Chin said the award honors local individuals, organizations or community groups for their efforts in enhancing the community through selfless service and dedication, much as Cutting did.
   "Janet Trippi was chosen by our Award Committee," Chin said, "for her numerous accomplishments and service to the town of Shrewsbury. She is and has been incredibly active in important community affairs and endeavors, including the League of Women Voters, the Shrewsbury Garden Club, Town Meeting, Friends of the Senior Center, and perhaps most importantly, being chair of ADVISE [Against Domestic Violence in Shrewsbury Education Project]. Her efforts and dedication have improved and enhanced the lives of numerous families here in Shrewsbury."
   Despite the parallel between Trippi's and Cutting's actions, Trippi said she was "amazed" when she found out she was selected.
   "A number of years ago," Trippi said, "my husband and I knew Harry Cutting as a member of our church and we knew him also through the Rotary Club, and he was just a really lovely man … He had a wonderful smile, a great aspect about him, and you could see even at that later age that he was vitally interested in the community and had been all his life."
   Trippi said being chosen for the award in his name is "high praise and truly an honor."
   She said her own community involvement has ties to her college major. She earned a bachelor's of science degree in nursing, but started a family early, and never ended up pursuing a paid position in the field. She said she views her work with ADVISE as a continuation of her nursing path.
   She has nursed the community through volunteer work with her church by helping Liberian refugees with resettlement and by organizing community dinners for people without food. She views her past service as a town Finance Committee member, her 17 years as a Town Meeting member and her continued service through the League of Women Voters as avenues for working with citizens to improve the health, education and well-being for all.
   Her accomplishments are widely recognized.
   "Her efforts and dedication have improved and enhanced the lives of numerous families here in Shrewsbury," Chin said. "She is respected and revered by all segments of the community here for her generous, non-judgmental spirit and her tireless efforts to improve the condition of her fellow Shrewsbury residents. What is most amazing is that Janet has been able to accomplish all of this with her typical humble and unassuming manner, never seeking the spotlight or wanting any credit."
   But as Trippi is being pulled into the spotlight to receive the award, she said she's hoping people will see that if she can get involved in community service, others can too.
   "I'd like to not present myself as a perfect person, as that's not true," she said. "I'm an ordinary person who's willing to take a chance. I think lots of people see needs that could be addressed, but they just don't take that chance. I hope that by being an ordinary person who is willing to take a chance, that others might be inspired to do the same."
   Trippi credited her husband for his support of her volunteer work, and said he's been wonderful.
   But Trippi has gained a reputation all her own.
   "She is the epitome of grace," Chin said, "and people around town have long recognized that she is deserving of some attention for her continuous efforts."
   The celebration of Trippi's civic and community achievements during SYFS's gala will be part of other festivities that evening, including a presentation of eight "Outstanding Youth of Shrewsbury Service Awards." Nominations for these awards are being accepted by the agency through Monday, Nov. 21. The gala event will also serve as a fund-raiser, supporting SFYS in carrying out their year-round community counseling and education services.
   For Gala ticket information, to nominate a youth, or place an ad in the gala program book or sponsor the event, visit www.shrewsburyyfs.org or call (508) 845-6932.