Warren County honors volunteers with awards and proclamation for National Volunteer Month

WARREN COUNTY, NJ – Warren County honored its parks, history and recreation volunteers Friday, presenting two Outstanding Volunteer awards and a proclamation for National Volunteer Month in a reception held at the Richard D. Gardner Branch of the Warren County Library.

“Volunteers should be recognized as important members of government and community partnerships as they share expertise, advice on local program services, and have valuable input into prioritizing local community needs,” Commissioner Lori Ciesla read from the proclamation that designated April 2025 as Volunteer Appreciation Month in Warren County. The proclamation urged residents to take the time to thank and recognize those volunteers who help to make Warren County such a thriving community.

Ciesla and Commissioner James R. Kern III presented an Outstanding Volunteer Award to Belvidere resident Raymond Tobaygo, a long-time volunteer at Bread Lock Park and the Highlands Project, who stepped down recently from years of service on the county Board of Recreation Commissioners.

The Commissioners also posthumously honored William Hann, a Phillipsburg area resident who served for decades on the Board of Recreation Commissioners, the county Planning Board, county Shade Tree Commission, and the Warren County Morris Canal Committee. A decision to select Hann had been made but he died in March at age 86 before he could be honored. His son Scott received the award on his behalf.

All volunteers in attendance also received a certificate of appreciation from the County.