The ninth annual Westies Care recognition dinner is scheduled for Monday, April 9 at the Cielo Ballroom, 85 Chase Lane. Students involved in community service activities as well as civic leaders and educators are among this year’s honorees.
Westies Care has chosen a local McDonald’s executive as its Person of The Year.
Raymond Vernet, Operations Manager for Rodriguez Family McDonald’s Restaurant has served as Joseph A. Rodrigues’ right-hand man for the past 20 years, making him the longest permanent employee. Currently Vernet, affectionately called Vern oversees 18 Restaurants, supervises 900 employees, 4 supervisors and 18 general managers.
The hallmark of the Rodriguez Family Restaurants is community outreach and sponsorship of important causes. Under Vernet’s and Rodriques’ humble leadership, the company has sponsored Three Kings Day since 1994 hosting hundreds of families and sharing tens of thousands of dollars in gifts, assisted with fundraising for the West Haven Community House, Special Olympics, Connecticut Food Bank, etc.
Vern is the epitome of Service and Community through education and commitment to excellence. Others to be honored with Westies Care Lifetime Awards are: Nancy Paone, Co-Founder of the West Haven Ecological Camp, Ron Conlan, Rich Pyrdol , and Roberta O’Brien who will receive the Deb Hutchinson Award. Watson’s Food will receive the Business of The Year Award. Senator Gayle Slossberg will receive a Lifetime Award for her contributions to Public Service, Education and Community Outreach.
Students being honored with Community Service Awards from West Haven High School: Lester Appiah, Fatima Al Rashed, Rebecca Cummings, Jillian Doherty, Marissa deNicolo, Matthew Dowd, Betsy Magana, Arielle Marinduque, David O’Brien, Chelsea Osei, EJ Pacapelli, Megan Patterson, Jeremy Tammaro, Daryielle Walton-Brontley, Kimberly Wilson, Notre Dame High School: Franco Acuna, Patrick Richardson, Platt Technical High School: Mark White, Joe Stacy, Laurelton Hall: Alyssa Dalaker, Sound School: Mya Rose Izabal, Kelly Roper, ESUMS: Jeremy Amoro. All Students will receive a Proclamation from Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut State Reps. Dorinda Borer, Michael DiMassa, State Sen. Gayle Slossberg and city citations from Mayor Nancy Rossi. Monetary Awards will be given to all student honorees.
Westies Care is a recognized 501 (c) (3) Non Profit Charity. Contact Phil Liscio (203) 494-6021 to place an advertisement, make a contribution, donate a raffle item or to make a reservation. Tickets are $35 and include dinner, beverages and dessert catered by John Ziada. All proceeds benefit its scholarships and awards programs.