The Princeton-Blairstown Center (PBC) will present the 2025 Frank Broderick Award to Eleanor Horne and the 2025 Reverend David H. McAlpin, Jr. Community Champion Award to Johnson & Johnson at its May 9 “Soirée Under the Stars” fundraiser, which supports educational programming to combat summer learning loss.
Soirée Under the Stars benefits PBC’s award-winning Summer Bridge Program, which provides hundreds of students from historically marginalized communities with quality summer programs featuring hands-on curriculum focused on literacy, social & emotional learning, STEM, and service learning as well as unforgettable outdoor experiences.
Frank Broderick Award Honoree: Eleanor Horne
PBC’s Frank Broderick Award is given to an individual who demonstrates a deep commitment to social justice, compassion, and selflessness. These are qualities that Horne personifies in her efforts to lead local community and national organizations committed to increasing educational equity and access to women, people of color, and those with limited financial means, the nonprofit said in its announcement.
Horne retired from Educational Testing Service (ETS) after a career that spanned 40 years, including time as the vice president of the ETS Social Investment Fund where she created and led a strong community and philanthropic presence. She has served on several boards, including the Outdoor Equity Alliance, the National Council for Research on Women, The College of New Jersey, the Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation, the Princeton Area Community Foundation, and D&R Greenway.
McAlpin Community Champion Award Honoree: Johnson & Johnson
The Rev. David H. McAlpin, Jr. Community Champion Award is presented to an organization that has demonstrated a deep commitment to social responsibility through the investment of human and financial resources to advance the lives and opportunities of people from underserved communities. The award was created in 2023 to honor the memory of Rev. McAlpin who served on the boards of and supported countless nonprofit organizations in Mercer County and was an Honorary Trustee of PBC.
Johnson & Johnson will receive this award in recognition of the important work it does to keep people well at every age and every stage of life. The company has championed the nursing profession for over 125 years to strengthen a thriving nursing workforce that improves quality care for communities and has collaborated with local organizations across the US to make healthcare more accessible.
For almost 10 years, Johnson & Johnson has provided funding to the Princeton-Blairstown Center to enable Trenton youth to participate in Summer Bridge and Venture Out. Like Rev. McAlpin, Johnson & Johnson demonstrates a strong commitment to put a healthy mind, body, and environment within reach of all young people, PBC said.
Soirée Under the Stars will be held at 6 p.m., Friday, May 9, at the Springdale Golf Club in Princeton. Sponsorships and tickets can be purchased here.
About Princeton-Blairstown Center
Princeton-Blairstown Center is an award-winning education center that provides exceptional outdoor experiences for young people from underserved communities. Highly trained facilitators teach 21st century skills while students experience the transformative power of nature.
