Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has recognized Colleen Pearce, who owns Jay’s Supermarket and Deli in Highland Mills, as April’s Citizen of the Month for her generosity and dedication to the Monroe-Woodbury community.
“Jay’s Deli is one of the cornerstones of the community and that can be attributed to Colleen’s big heart and kindness,” Neuhaus said. “Colleen takes great pride in helping anyone in need and has been especially supportive of our first responders. Everyone in Woodbury knows Colleen and respects her. She often performs good deeds quietly and behind the scenes, but Colleen deserves to be recognized for how much she cares about her patrons and residents.”
Pearce works at Jay’s Deli seven days a week, overseeing what is an institution in Highland Mills. She has enjoyed getting to know the store’s customers and their families for nearly four decades. Hard-working and humble, Pearce treats every patron like family, which is her signature.
Pearce regularly fundraises for families in need, placing collection jars at the register and starting GoFundMe pages if a customer is battling cancer, dealing with a death in the family, or struggling with a variety of other issues. She has also donated generously to families in need, Monroe-Woodbury High athletics and the Woodbury Fire Department, which also includes the Central Valley and Highland Mills Fire Departments.
Woodbury, Central Valley and Highland Mills have all named Pearce as an Honorary Fire Chief. She is very generous to Woodbury’s Police Department and EMT’s as well. Pearce, a native of the Bronx, and her husband, Jay, moved to Woodbury in the mid-1970s. The couple opened Jay’s Deli in 1982 and it quickly evolved into an integral part of the tight-knit community.
“I have been here for 36 years and the customers become your family,” Pearce said. “You go through births, communions, weddings and special occasions with them. I just want them to know that I care about them. I am honored to be recognized by County Executive Neuhaus and am grateful to live in such a caring and wonderful community.”
Neuhaus introduced his Citizen of the Month Award, which acknowledges outstanding Orange County residents, in January of 2017. To nominate someone for the Citizen of the Month Award, please email ceoffice@orangecountygov.com or mail a letter to “Citizen of the Month” at 255-275 Main Street Goshen, N.Y. 10924. Be sure to include the nominee’s name, hometown, a list of their accomplishments, why you are nominating them and any other pertinent information. Nominees must be from Orange County.
###