Ethel Brandon, recipient of the first Red Bank Community Spirit Award. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
If you spend any time at the places that are the pillars of community and service in this town – the senior center, the food pantries, the churches, libraries and borough hall etc. – there’s a face you’ll quickly become familiar with, perhaps first among all: Ethel Brandon.
So it sure seemed appropriate, when the Red Bank Community Engagement and Equity Committee came up with the idea to create an annual Red Bank Community Spirit Award, that Brandon would be the first to have her name engraved on the plaque.
As Erin Howard, Board Member of the Vin Gopal Civic Association where Brandon volunteers at the food pantry put it: “We are so thankful that we have Ethel to help us run the pantry, and we are equally thrilled that we get to have the joy of having Ethel in our lives. There is truly no one like Ethel.”
Ethel Brandon and Mayor Billy Portman (center) with Deputy Mayor Kate Triggiano (far right) and members of the Red Bank Community Engagement and Equity Committee (photo by Brian Donohue)
On Thursday, Brandon was officially awarded the first the first Red Bank Community Service Award and honored with a resolution by Mayor Billy Portman at the meeting of the borough council honoring her “outstanding commitment to fostering a sense of belonging, empathy, and unity among all residents of Red Bank.” A plaque honoring recipients (see photo below) will be placed in the lobby of Borough Hall, with Brandon’s name atop those to come in future years.
Brandon walked up the aisle of the council chambers to a standing ovation, posed for photos then sat down at the front of the chambers in a swivel chair.
“Thank you to everyone who is here to support me,” she said. “I tell you, it’s remarkable. I never really expected this at all. I just want to say thank you, everybody.”
She then spun a full 360 degrees in the swivel chair to laughs from the council and friends and family who had come to see her honored.
The ninth of 11 children, Brandon grew up in Red Bank and attended Mechanic Street School, then St. James and Red Bank Catholic High School. She then attended Brookdale Community College earning an Associate Degree in 1978, according to a press release prepared by the CEEC.
Following her graduation, she worked at the Monmouth County Library Eastern Branch before taking the position of Library Associate at Broookdale Community College where worked for almost 44 years before retiring in 2022.
“She has been an active member of the Red Bank Community for as long as anyone can remember,” reads the press release.
Ethel has been an active member at the Red Bank Senior Center where Director Jackie Reynolds said in the statement: “Ethel first came to the center to help and socialize her aunt, Edith Blake. She is a wonderful lady who is always willing to help out.”
More from the press release:
Given her passion for Library Information and Sciences, it should come as no surprise that Ethel was a dedicated member of the Red Bank Library and served on the Library Board for a two year term 2016 through 2017. During that time, she served on the Development Committee and the Personnel Committee. She attended the Library Trustee Institute Training Day. She was a trusted Library Board Member that helped facilitate the library’s commitment to the community.
Former Councilwoman, Kathy Horgan, who was also the Council Liaison to the library, added “Ethel was a wonderful asset to the Library Board. She was enthusiastic about the Library’s mission and took her board responsibilities very seriously. Ethel’s commitment and dedication were appreciated by board and staff alike.”
Ethel has also been an active member at St. James and St. Anthony Catholic Churches where she served as usher and other roles. She is also a Rosarian and encourages the praying of the rosary.
Ethel has also helped out at the Celestial Lodge #36 in many community events including the block party and fish fry. She continues serve the community and currently volunteers at the Vin Gopal Food Pantry several days a week.
She began working at the Vin Gopal Civic Association Food Pantry right when we first opened over two years ago. “She’s there rain or shine, ready to help the community,’ Howard said. “She truly understands the important role the pantry serves in people’s lives, and is always dependable and on time, as she knows people depend on this pantry to help feed their families.”
In closing, Ethel’s brother, John, remarked, “ Despite Ethel’s recent health challenges she is filled with gratitude and joy, “thankful for every day she takes a breath”, “never looks to the dark, always looks to the light and sees only the good in people.”
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331 or yelling his name loudly as he walks by. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.
