Behind every strong organization are special people whose commitment to service shines brightly. At UMC, we’re fortunate to have countless teammates that embody that spirit – but today, we shine a special spotlight on Michele Musto, Volunteer Coordinator and External Marketing Lead at The Shores, UMC’s full-service community in Ocean City, New Jersey.
LeadingAge New Jersey & Delaware presented Michele with its 2026 Excellence in Community Service Award at its Annual Awards Ceremony in West Windsor on February 11, recognizing her unwavering commitment to helping others.
“Michele embodies the very heart of what community service is. Her work extends far beyond our walls and reaches deeply into the lives of families, caregivers, volunteers, and partners throughout our area,” said James Zauner, Executive Director of The Shores, as he introduced Michele. “She is a tireless connector – collaborating with schools, universities, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations, building bridges, raising awareness, and bringing people together around aging, dementia, and community service.”
Michele has built programs and partnerships that provide critical support for caregivers and create meaningful opportunities for residents to engage with their community. Her leadership in developing The Shore’s Memory Café and Dementia Caregiver Support Group has offered comfort, education, and connection to countless families.
“Being recognized for helping bring people together is one of the greatest compliments I could ever receive,” Michele shared as she accepted her award. “I'm grateful to be a bridge between The Shores and the wider community of Atlantic and Cape May Counties, and I'm so thankful to UMC for giving me the chance to create meaningful connections and programs that support and empower families. This is truly the highlight of my career.”
And we at UMC agree – Michele is a highlight of our organization’s history.
