Four local residents win volunteer awards

Stanhope — The following four people were presented with Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants awards to pass along to their chosen charity: Kathleen Baron and Cynthia Bochniak, of Stanhope; Margaret Thickman of Sparta; and Stephen McMahon of Hopatcong. All excelled in commitment, leadership and service to their communities. The program recognizes individual and team volunteers who provided a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service per individual. Grants range from $250 to $5,000 for each award winner’s charitable organization. Baron, a process management manager in the individual life insurance department of Prudential Financial, devoted more than 140 hours of volunteer service to Operation Quiet Comfort in 2008. Bochniak, a team leader in the insurance division of Prudential Financial, has been a volunteer for Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare Association for the past eight years and devoted more than 140 hours of service in 2008. Thickman, a systems analyst and development specialist in shared services for Prudential Financial, performed as a volunteer clarinetist for the New Sussex Symphony Inc. In 2008, Thickman contributed more than 75 hours of service as a musician as well as fundraiser. McMahon, a consulting systems manager for Prudential Financial, devoted more than 75 hours of volunteer service to the Hapatcong Hawks Soccer Club.