Record Number of Nominees for 2008 Celebrate New Britain! Award
(April 21, 2008) Some 15 individuals and/or couples with outstanding records of community service to New Britain have been nominated as candidates for the 2008 Celebrate New Britain! award, part of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain’s four-town Celebrate Our Communities! community service awards program in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington.
The recipient of this year’s award, which honors an outstanding grassroots volunteer whose work benefits New Britain, will earn the right to designate a $2,500 grant award from the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain to a New Britain charity or community service organization of their choice, subject to the approval of the Foundation’s board of directors. The recipient will be honored at the New Britain Chamber of Commerce’s Volunteerism Luncheon May 29 at Zabbara’s Restaurant. This year’s nominees are:
• Frank Bradley, a long-time volunteer who does work for a wide variety of organizations in the city, including the Warm the Children Fund, Trinity-On-Main, Hole in the Wall Theater and the New Britain Public Library. (Nominated by Betsy Bradley.)
• William (Randy) Clair, who does volunteer work with Klingberg Family Centers and other organizations. (Nominated by Mark Johnson.)
• Dr. Bruce and Mrs. Kris Fletcher, who have been instrumental in the provision of free dental care for city children through the “Give Kids a Smile Day.” (Nominated by Brendan Conry.)
• Victor and Elizabeth Fumiatti, who have donated their time and energy to multiple city organizations and causes including the Rotary Club, Hospital for Special Care, YWCA and the Boys & Girls Club. (Nominated by Janis Jerman.)
• Ted and Nancy Howe, who have been active supporters of many New Britain-based causes for years including the Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy’s Pathways/Senderos Center, First Church of Christ, Prudence Crandall Center, and SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives). (Nominated by RoseAnne Bilodeau.)
• Linda Karalus, founder of the Animal Alliance Welfare League in New Britain. (Nominated by Lorraine Leiner, Diane Smith and Brenda Stawski.)
• Sue LePage, who works tirelessly assisting seniors in New Britain. (Nominated by David Bond.)
• Jim Nason, a volunteer for the Hole in the Wall Theater and Trinity-On-Main. (Nominated by Anne Pilla.)
• Pam Riley, a volunteer with the Hole in the Wall Theater. (Nominated by Jim Nason.)
• Arnold Schwartz, who does volunteer work for numerous organizations – many assisting seniors – including the Salvation Army, RSVP of Central Connecticut, TRIAD, New Britain Commission on Aging and more. (Nominated by Diane Briggs.)
• Ada Seaman, who has more than 20 years of volunteer service helping the homeless and others, and has been instrumental to New Britain Area League of Women Voters. (Nominated by John McNamara.)
• Marilyn Slate, president of New Britain Area Seniors. (Nominated by Leonard Nelson.)
• Stephen Varga, who has volunteered for many organizations and is the current president of the New Britain Area Conference of Churches. (Nominated by Michael Gorzoch.)
• Lindsley Wellman, a longtime voice and presence in New Britain philanthropic circles who has served organizations including the New Britain Museum of American Art, Junior Achievement, Hospital of Central Connecticut, Rotary Club, United Way, Community Foundation of Greater New Britain and more. (Nominated by Douglas Hyland.)
• Cindi Whitham, a retired New Britain teacher who has volunteered for the New Britain Youth Museum for more than 35 years. (Nominated by Donna Veach and Ann Peabody.)
Serving on the 2008 Celebrate New Britain! Award Selection Committee are: Co-Chair William Millerick, President, New Britain Chamber of Commerce; Co-Chair Robin Sharp, Executive Director, YWCA of New Britain; Gerry Amodio, Vice President, Amodio Worldwide Moving & Storage, Inc., and Board Member, Community Foundation of Greater New Britain; Todd Bower, Business Development Sales Manager, TD Banknorth; Geraldine Brown-Springer, retired Principal, Slade Middle School and Board Member, Community Foundation; Angelo D’Alfonso, Business & Training Services Coordinator, New Britain Chamber of Commerce; Ed Gunderson, Publisher, The Herald; and Mark Rembish, Esq., Partner, Sheehan, Rembish, LaSaracina & Bizzarro, LLC.
The Community Foundation has earmarked a total of $10,000 in grant awards for the program in its four communities. The Herald of New Britain is a co-sponsor of the Celebrate New Britain! award.
Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain connects donors who care with causes that matter in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. For more information on the Foundation, please call (860) 229-6018 or visit www.cfgnb.org.
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