eConnection – 3/29/23- Outstanding Club Member
Shirley A. Holly, NJSFWC President
Outstanding Club Member – Joyce Dreger
Joyce began her teaching career in Metuchen at Mildred B. Moss Elementary School where she attended school as a child. While raising her family she subbed in North Brunswick schools for several years before going back full-time. Mrs. Dreger taught first grade for 23 years at Parsons Elementary School.
In 1970 Joyce joined the North Brunswick Woman’s Club and has been a member for the past 53 years serving various positions including President from 2016-2020. She is always involved in making treat bags for the Police Department and for Meals on Wheels recipients each year as well as placing wreaths and flags at the cemetery for our fallen Veterans. She volunteers her time at various activities and fundraisers to support homeless veterans, children and their families dealing with cancer and high school scholarships for graduating seniors from NBTHS and surrounding Vocational Schools. It seems to give her no greater joy than to serve the community she loves and to make North Brunswick a great place to live, work and play. Even after retirement from the school system and because of her love for reading, she volunteers each year to read to school aged children on “Read Across America Day.”
Joyce has won awards for her poetry writing. Most recently she took First Place from the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs for her poem titled “Pandemic Ramblings” which was a beautiful reflection of life during the Covid Pandemic.
She has always been involved in music. She is an accompanist for plays and the State Federation of Woman’s Club’s Chorus. She sings with the Our Lady of Peace Choir and has sung with the North Brunswick Woman’s Club for at least 25 years. She also accompanies Parsons orchestra and chorus for their Winter and Spring concerts.
Joyce was presented with the Influential Women of the Year Award for 2023. This annual award, which started as a joint venture between North Brunswick Township, North Brunswick Township High School and the North Brunswick Woman’s Club in 1996 was revised this year as a part of North Brunswick Township’s Woman’s History Month.
This annual award is bestowed upon women who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their fields, professions, and communities. This award will celebrate women who’ve made notable contributions, brought added value and improvement to the lives of others, who’ve taken on initiatives, embraced change, and humbly served others in our community. The Woman of Influence Commission which was established in 2022 will look to recognize community members who have made North Brunswick better in the areas of Art and Culture, Business, the spirit of volunteerism, education, government and or human services.
Congratulations to Joyce. NJSFWC is proud to call Joyce one of our own!