LYNNFIELD — A Healthy Lynnfield held its Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet Wednesday night at the Meeting House.

“Last year was a big year for our Coalition,” AHL President Phil Crawford said. “We supported residents and provided positive childhood experiences for our youth which is so important.”

Former Program Director Peg Sallade, who retired at the end of September, was recognized for her contributions during her six years as director.

“When I first made the commitment to create a program in town dedicated to substance use prevention, all signs pointed towards Peg,” Crawford said. “She helped lead, mold, and shape our coalition, with her unwavering dedication, into what we are today. Peg had the experience and the passion that our community needed. Peg has worked tirelessly with our community volunteers, our schools, our public safety teams, and most importantly, our youth, to make substance use prevention a priority in our town. Peg, you will be missed.”

State Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) presented a State Senate citation to Sallade.

“It’s amazing how this organization keeps growing,” Crighton said. “I started in the Senate about the same time it was getting going and when I saw the volunteers and the students it was clear to Rep. Brad Jones (House Minority Whip, R-North Reading) and me that this was an organization we wanted to support. Kids growing up today are growing up with so many more pressures, so I think a community coming together that is family-driven and willing to speak to the kids really has a tremendous impact.”

Sallade echoed Crighton’s comments about the importance of coming together as a community.

“You all have your own expertise but when you come together you can see the result,” Sallade said to the audience. “The best way you can honor my work here is to continue to volunteer and continue your work and expertise. I think we have a great foundation as I pass the baton to Diana (DeLeo), I know she will be great and continue this important work.”

Several awards were presented. The Community Partner Award went to the Lynnfield Police Department and its Community Outreach Team. The award is given to an organization or business that contributes to the mission of AHL.

“Last year, the police department worked diligently to create the Lynnfield Community Outreach Team, which was created to help Lynnfield residents access appropriate support services during times of crisis through post-incident follow-up and proactive community outreach.”

The Community Volunteer Award went to Diane Courtney.- The award is reserved for a person whose leadership exhibits exemplary hands-on support and volunteer effort for the implementation of a prevention program or strategy.

“Diane has been a member of A Healthy Lynnfield’s Coalition since day one, all while being a fantastic mom and working on the front lines as an ER nurse in Boston,” Crawford said. “She is clearly an asset to our organization and pushes us to be better as an organization.”

Sheri Weeks, co-advisor of the Lynnfield Middle School Youth Club, and DeLeo, presented the youth awards.

Lynnfield High student Annabelle Eckhardt and middle school student Sydney Moore received the Youth Advocate Award. 

“Annabelle has been a constant in A Healthy Lynnfield’s youth councils since her days in middle school. No matter what the task, Annabelle is usually one of the first in line,” DeLeo said. 

“Sydney has also been a standout leader in the middle school youth council,” LMS adviser Sheri Weeks said. “The younger students looked to her for guidance and direction.”

The Unsung Hero Award went to Lorelai Eckhardt (LHS), Patrick Ryou (LMS), and Nikhil Kumar (LMS).

“Lorelai has quietly made her mark on A Healthy Lynnfield’s Youth Councils since she was in middle school. Her hard work and dedication to our mission, while being a positive role model to her peers, has not gone unnoticed,” DeLeo said. “Patrick’s and Nikhil’s continuous joint efforts over the last two years were a tag-team dynamic duo. Their advocacy, hard work, and dedication at the middle school for AHL made our projects flow smoothly.” 

The Champion for Youth award went to LHS Theater Director Shay Wainwright. The award is the only one that is student driven with students nominating and then choosing the award winner.

“I am really honored that the students have supported me and I hope to continue to work with them as long as I can,” Wainwright said.

Jones was unable to attend but commended Sallade’s service.

Peg Sallade has done a tremendous job over the last six years helping A Healthy Lynnfield fulfill its mission to promote a healthier and safer community through education, prevention, and support,” said Jones “Her efforts to help combat substance abuse and to connect Lynnfield residents with treatment and recovery resources has made a positive difference in the lives of so many individuals and families. I wish Peg nothing but the best on her well-deserved retirement.”

Anne Marie Tobin 

can be reached at 

[email protected]