Many volunteers who serve the New Canaan community were honored at the New Canaan volunteer recognition event on Tuesday, May 6, at New Canaan Library.
First Selectman Rob Mallozzi III welcomed the group and shared how “committed New Canaan citizens are to serving their community.” The chairman of the New Canaan volunteer recognition event committee, Jerry Miller, served as the emcee to present the awards to the volunteers. Bankwell in New Canaan was the sponsor for this year’s event.
The awards were as follows:
Outstanding Youth Organization: Kids Helping Kids;
Outstanding New Individual Volunteer: Elizabeth DuPont, Family and Children’s Agency;
Outstanding Individual Youth Volunteer: Lauren Fusek, Waveny LifeCare Network;
Outstanding Established Individual Volunteer: Susan Bishop, New Canaan Historical Society;
Outstanding Senior Volunteer: Mike Rodell, Staying Put in New Canaan;
Community Service Award: Judith Wiley, New Canaan Library;
Community Hero Award: Edward Karl, New Canaan Fire Co. 1;
Youth Development Award: Anthony Smetak, New Canaan YMCA;
Inspiration Award: Frank Bordonaro, Silver Hill Hospital;
Youth Leadership Award: Liz Schmidt, New Canaan High School;
Unsung Hero Award: Edwin Evarts, Arts for Healing;
Outstanding New Volunteering Couple: Phillip and Emily Restifo, Waveny LifeCare Network;
Outstanding Established Volunteering Couple: Duane Orloske and Kate O’Brien Orloske, Voices of September 11th;
Outstanding Volunteering Family: Mary and Mary Cate Swift, Person-to-Person;
Lifetime Achievement Award: Betty Chachkes, Meals on Wheels of New Canaan;
Volunteer of the Year: Steve Orteig, Staying Put in New Canaan;
and Business of the Year: Francos Wine Merchants.
Many New Canaan volunteers were honored at the library in May.