Middletown honors Girl Scout Gold Award recipient, recognizes officers and youth volunteers

The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors used its May 15 meeting to recognize local volunteers and police officers. Chair Miss Payne presented a certificate to Rebecca Nowak, a Middletown resident and Troop 2974 member, as the recipient of the 2022 Girl Scout Gold Award for a project that increased fresh-food access at a local food pantry. Nowak is scheduled to be honored at the Girl Scout Gold Award ceremony on May 21, 2023.

Chief of Police Joseph Bartirillo recognized six Middletown Township Police Department members—Paul Runner, Joe Calora, Derek Leonhauser, Mark Leonhauser, Melissa Robinson and animal-control officer Cheyenne Keane—for organizing a benefit held April 29 that raised more than $14,000 for the family of fallen Pennsylvania state trooper Martin Mack. Bartirillo said the planning and volunteer hours were “an enormous task” and presented a plaque and certificates of appreciation.

Bartirillo also highlighted the township's Youth Aid Panel (YAP), a diversion program for first-time, nonviolent juvenile cases. He presented a plaque to Heather Rivera for nine years of service as a volunteer and coordinator; Bridal Bakshi, a long-time YAP member, will take over as panel coordinator. The chief noted Middletown and nearby Bensalem together account for roughly 41% of the county's YAP cases, reflecting strong local engagement in the program.

At the same meeting Supervisor Hannah read a proclamation designating May 2023 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Middletown, calling on residents to observe the month with educational and community activities.