At Haverhill’s annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration Wednesday night, Mayor James J. Fiorentini honored three Haverhill residents for their volunteerism and commitment to the city before lighting up the sky, presenting Elaine Barker, Alison Colby Campbell and Jesus Ruiz with citations and public accolades for a job well done.
Barker, the longtime owner of Broadway stationary shop Paper Potpourri, recently returned from a trip to London to attend two Boston Red Sox games with her son Peter Barker, where she showed her Hillie pride by holding up signs declaring her love for “Haverhill, MA, USA.” She was celebrated by Fiorentini for her efforts as an Outstanding Ambassador, with the mayor praising her for “always showcasing Haverhill and promoting all that is great and positive in the city.”
The mayor’s office also recognized local blogger Colby Campbell as an Outstanding Ambassador Wednesday night.
Fiorentini’s Volunteer of the Year is Jesus Ruiz, who serves as part of the Leaving the Streets Ministry, an outreach program focused on helping Haverhill’s youth. Formerly incarcerated, Ruiz now counsels locals at the nonprofit Common Ground Ministries on Winter Street.