Named two of four ‘Volunteers of the Year’, Mary Dangremond (left) of Old Lyme and Amanda Rutledge , formerly of Old Lyme and now of Old Saybrook, were honored by the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut for their tireless dedication in support of the organization.
Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut honored its volunteers at its 44th Annual Meeting. The award ceremony, held Nov. 15 at the B.P. Learned Mission, recognized individuals who have donated their time and talents to support the work of the Agency- promoting the well-being and development of all children and their families.
Dr. Manuel Rivera, Superintendent of New London Public Schools, delivered the keynote address before a packed room of Child and Family Agency staff, Board of Directors and volunteers.
Dr. Manuel Rivera, Superintendent of New London Schools, was the keynote speaker at the Annual Meeting.
Child and Family Agency honored volunteers in three award categories: the Child and Family Agency Volunteer of the Year Award, the Lillian Erb Award for outstanding service at the Annual Sale, and the 2016 Auxiliary Volunteers of the Year Awards. Staff members were also recognized for their years of service to the Agency.
“The backbone of Child and Family Agency is the partnership between our 650-plus auxiliary volunteers, our Board, and our 190-plus dedicated staff, all of whom believe that children’s health and well-being are of paramount importance to our communities,” said Rick Calvert, Chief Executive Officer, Child and Family Agency. “It is an honor to work with such a generous, talented group of people,” Calvert said.
Mary Dangremond, Lois Geary, Ellie Krusewski and Amanda Rutledge received the Child and Family Agency Volunteer of the Year for their many years of service, especially as co-chairs of the Child and Family Agency Annual Sale. All have served on the Board of Directors, have chaired or co-chaired the auxiliary and other major initiatives on behalf of the Agency.
SFC Trevor Evans, of the Army National Guard, was awarded the Lillian Erb Award. SFC Evans has demonstrated outstanding service for Child and Family Agency, especially during the Annual Sale.
2016 Auxiliary Volunteers of the Year Awards were presented to Judi and Tom Mitchell, Beebe Miller, Carole Mackin, Laurie Walker, Carol Connor, and Earline Goebel for their service with the East Lyme, Essex River Valley, Groton, Lyme-Old Lyme, Mystic/Noank/Stonington, and New London-Waterford Auxiliaries.
The Agency wishes to thank outgoing board members Sally Crawford, Mary Dangremond, Carole Mackin and Jen Daly McFadden as well as welcome Donetta Hodge, Jerome Fischer and Julie Stone to the board.
Child & Family’s mission is to promote the well-being and development of all children and their families, focusing in particular on the unmet needs of children lacking physical, emotional and intellectual care and nurturing. Programs deal with children’s mental health, child abuse prevention, the treatment of family violence, teen pregnancy, children’s health care, childcare, and parent education. Last year families were served in 79 towns in New Haven, Middlesex, Windham and New London Counties, the Child & Family Agency service region.
Visit the Agency’s website to learn more, volunteer, or donate: www.childandfamilyagency.org
The Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce hosts the Community Tree Lighting outside Center School starting at 4 p.m. Friday afternoon, which kicks off the “Light Up Old Lyme” weekend. The Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Band will play seasonal music and the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Chorus will sing carols.
Support all our wonderful independent, local businesses in Lyme and Old Lyme today — many have special offers in recognition of Small Business Saturday to help bring visitors in their doors as shoppers begin their holiday shopping.