SHREWSBURY-- Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services will honor Janet L. Trippi, a chairwoman of a local domestic violence awareness organization, with its annual award for outstanding community service at a banquet Saturday.
   The organization’s annual Spring Gala is scheduled for Saturday at Indian Meadows Golf Club in Westboro. Members will honor Ms. Trippi for her contributions to the community and also honor eight local high school students for their community service.
   Ms. Trippi “is a tireless, compassionate, and caring community leader. We could not be more proud or feel more fortunate to be associated with her,” said Jeffrey Chin, executive director of Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services.
   The organization’s Harry S. Cutting Jr. Award is given to a Shrewsbury resident, organization or business that best exemplifies the generous spirit and community service philosophy of the award’s namesake, according to Mr. Chin. Mr. Cutting was a founder of Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services and a philanthropist.
   Ms. Trippi was born and raised on a dairy farm in Shrewsbury and was a member of the first class to graduate from Shrewsbury High School in 1959. Ms. Trippi, a mother of three, became involved in Campfire Girls, First Congregational Church, the League of Women Voters, the Shrewsbury Women’s Club and the Shrewsbury Garden Club, among other groups.
   She also serves as a chairwoman of ADVISE, which stands for Against Domestic Violence in Shrewsbury Education. The group was formed in 1996 after a League of Women Voters survey revealed the town lacked services for victims of domestic violence.
   The group raises awareness of domestic violence and aims to break its cycle through education, assisting victims in court and providing referrals to shelters, support groups, counseling and other services. The group has 20 volunteer members and advertises its services in the phonebook. Volunteers take turns fielding calls from people who need assistance, Ms. Trippi said.
   “We do get a number of calls, not just from town only, but from all around. Members of the group take turns answering the calls,” she said
   Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services will honor the high school students with Outstanding Youth of Shrewsbury Awards. The recipients will be Matthew Brennan, a sophomore at St. John’s High School; Isabel Broer, Samantha Chadwick, Heather Dalke and John Easson, all seniors at Shrewsbury High School; Daniel Hogan and Michelle A. Leroux, juniors at Shrewsbury High School, and Stephanie Stadig, a senior at Holy Name High School.
   For more information, call (508) 845-6932, or e-mail SYFSGala@aol.com or jchin@townisp.com.