Affinity Federal Credit Union Announces Honorees of Inaugural Wellbeing Awards

We recently announced the first-ever recipients of the Affinity Wellbeing Awards, an initiative that is aimed to spotlight excellence in financial, community, and physical wellbeing in New Jersey.

Affinity is dedicated to the wellbeing of its members and the communities it serves, which inspired the launch of the Wellbeing Awards to highlight wellbeing leaders. The criteria for the awards prioritized impact, innovation, and a devoted commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of the community or individuals served. The winners all reflect resilience and commitment to wellbeing, aligning with Affinity’s ongoing support in the broader New Jersey community. Following impressive submissions, Affinity chose to expand the winners to individuals and organizations in the community and physical wellbeing categories. This year’s winners of the 2024 Financial Wellbeing Awards include:

Community Wellbeing

Organization: Share My Meals

Share My Meals (SMM) is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization, incorporated in NJ, that serves the food insecure community in the Princeton area, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, age, or faith. SMM is unique in that their program is mostly volunteer coordinated with only limited operational costs. 100% of their funds are used toward their sustainability efforts.

Individual: DJ Wright (Wright & Ford Funeral Home)

D.J. Wright is the Owner & Executive Director of Wright & Ford Funeral Home, known widely for providing comprehensive, dignified, and compassionate funeral service to families of Flemington and Hunterdon County. D.J. is a member of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, where he proudly served as President during 2018-19. He formerly served as President-Elect, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President and additionally served two terms as a delegate-at-large, representing funeral directors across the entire state and representing New Jersey at the national level to the National Funeral Directors Association. He is also a two-term past president of the Tri-County Funeral Directors Association, comprising Hunterdon, Warren, and Sussex Counties. Being a steward of the profession, he loves so dearly is close to his heart. He believes that everyone should have some type of Life Celebration and realizes this takes many different forms. D.J. feels his role is that of a "guide" to all those during some of life's most trying moments.

Physical Wellbeing

Organization: Jazz4PCA

According to reports from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), prostate cancer deaths amongst African American men are higher than any other ethnic community in the nation. Jazz for Prostate Cancer Awareness (Jazz4PCA) was created to remember legendary NYC jazz trombonist James “Jimmy” Stowe, who at age 61 succumbed to prostate cancer after a five-year battle. He insisted that his brothers, Ralph, Phillip, and Wendell, be tested for the disease during his treatment. Eventually, all were diagnosed and underwent successful prostatectomies due to their early screenings. Encouraged by his urologist, Dr. Isaac Kim Ph.D., MA, MBA, Ralph became an advocate for the education and early detection of this men’s health epidemic. Ultimately, it was the high regard for his brother James within the jazz community that musicians offered their musical talents, which compelled Ralph to launch the Jazz for Prostate Cancer Awareness charity in his brother’s honor.

Individual: Corrine Flammer (St. Clare’s Denville Hospital)

Corrine Flammer has been a dedicated paramedic for 30 years, serving her community well within that time. Recently appointed to the role of Mental Health Officer at St. Clare’s Denville Hospital, Corinne oversees the mental health of emergency medical responders and provides EMS personnel in the area with resources and support for the first time in the hospital’s history.

Financial Wellbeing

Organization: NJCA

New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA) combines political advocacy, electoral campaigns, public outreach, and community empowerment programs to make a real difference in the lives of everyday New Jerseyans. With this comprehensive approach, the organization addresses systemic and institutional issues as well as the pressing needs and interests of low- and moderate-income individuals across the state. A nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization founded in 1982, NJCA combines political advocacy, electoral campaigns, public outreach, and community empowerment programs to make a real difference in the lives of everyday New Jerseyans. With this comprehensive approach, the organization addresses systemic and institutional issues as well as the pressing needs and interests of low- and moderate-income individuals across the state.

Additionally, Affinity would like to recognize three honorable mentions for Community Wellbeing:

• With Grace Initiative
• Babs Siperstein Proud Centers
• Mom to Mom

“These honorees inspire others to improve their wellbeing and make a difference in the community,” said Kevin Brauer, President & CEO of Affinity. “Their dedication to improving financial, community, and physical wellbeing perfectly reflects our mission. We congratulate them on their commitment and are honored to celebrate their achievements as they continue to uplift and inspire others in the community.”