East Haven Merit Award Winners Give Back, And Pay It Forward

East Haven CT

19 August, 2021

2:17 PM

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EAST HAVEN, CT — The East Haven Merit Award Committee asked for nominations of those who have volunteered their time in service to the community. Here are the winners and their stories. Kyle Miller Kyle has been an active member in his community for the majority of his life. When he was young, he would always volunteer with his grandfather Robert Limoncelli. Through working with his grandfather, Kyle aspires to follow in his footsteps. Kyle graduated with a Bachelor's degree in history and minor in psychology from Central Connecticut State University. During his time in college, Kyle was an active member of the college campus, becoming involved in any program which involved outreach to the local community in the city of New Britain. Whenever he could, Kyle would return home to East Haven to use this time to volunteer with various organizations like the East Haven Fall Festival, Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce. Fast forward to now, he has been voted on to the Executive Committee of the East Haven Fall Festival and most recently, Vice-Chairman of the East Haven Chamber of Commerce. Kyle has expressed a deep love to assist anyone in need whether it's providing food, raising awareness for different charitable causes, or just to sit down and talk to someone who needs a listening ear. His passion to help the people in his community is like no other. Kyle will always remember all that his grandfather has taught him, as he was a huge influence in his life. He would like to take this time to thank everyone who he has ever worked with because it takes more than one person to achieve a goal. The one quote Kyle looks to is from P.T. Barnum: "The noblest art is that of making others happy." Nina Marreiros Nina is a 15-year-old honors sophomore at East Haven High School. She is the daughter of Antonio and Leticia Marreiros. Drawing from her family's traditions and Italian heritage, Nina lives a life of service. She has always seen the value in giving back to her community and those who are in need. Since kindergarten, Nina has collected Dunkin' Donuts gift cards, which she hands out on Veteran's Day, along with handwritten cards from her classmates. Through social media and verbal connections, she has collected over 600 gift cards to date. Nina was honored for her efforts by the Board of Education in 2020. Nina also volunteers at various spirit days at Deer Run Elementary School to raise money for her family's foundation, the Heart and Hope Fund including the Little Heart Hero Day, to honor her cousin Gabrielle Dinsmore. During her years at JMMS, Nina has received many awards including the Martin DeFelice Award and Student of the Year. She was also invited to be in the Leadership Program, where she learned the various aspects of what it means to be a true leader. Nina epitomizes the many tenants of leadership such as respect, communication, and empathy. She puts others before herself and is always there to give back to her community. Nina's intrinsic motivation to help others has only grown as she has seen the impact that a $5 gift card can have on those who have given so selflessly to our country. She is an active member of St. Pio Church and continues to volunteer. She is often the person people call upon when they need help and she does it, no questions asked. Tory Teto Tory is currently a freshman at East Haven High School. I have always been at the ready when I think I can help anyone, anytime. I have always put the needs of others ahead of my own. I have one older brother, C.J. who is 20 years old and graduated from East Haven High School in 2017. My parents are Chris and Jodi Teto. When this awful pandemic hit and I found out that our local food bank was having difficulty keeping food on the tables of our residents, I came up with an idea that I hoped would help. With the help of my family and Ed Gagliardi, I set up my D.J. equiptment in the back of a pick-up truck and began touring the streets of East Haven, collecting donations for the food bank. Monetary, or food donations were accepted and the people of East Haven responded like champions. The donations were coming in and the idea was making an impact on the food bank's struggles. The donations also provided lunches of Pizza for the EHPD and EHFD, as well as employees from local businesses, and veterinary clinics in East Haven. There were even some donations made to families in need at the time. The donations, in total, were estimated close to $10,000 in food and cash. The smiles and laughter heard from the East Haven people, during what was a scary time, made it even more rewarding for us on the truck. Being able to be a part of birthday drive by parties for people who would have otherwise not been able to celebrate, was just another small gift that we were able provided during a time when everyone needed a reason to smile. Thank you so much to everyone who made this idea such a huge success!! Wendy Bellmore Wendy moved to East Haven (Momauguin) in 1994 and has 2 grown sons, one in Massachusetts, and one in Guilford. 3 grandsons, and a granddaughter on the way.Attended Norwich University in Vermont, Graceland University in Iowa, Southern CT State University. Baccalaureate degrees in Social Work, and in Nursing. Master's Degree in Nursing Administration, and post Masters Certificate in Advanced Practice Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner.Early career in Social Work, and as licensed Nursing Home Administrator. Managed rural home care division for Visiting Nurse Corporation of Colorado. Worked in nursing for 25 years with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Earlier years in clinical nursing, moving to Advanced Practice Nursing. Served in United States Army Reserve Nurse Corps for 19 years. Rose to rank of Major. Served in variety of roles of increasing responsibility: Functioned in Credentialing and Training in Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) casualty decontamination and management, attending training with the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases.Appointed faculty for Critical Care Nursing training for the 804th Medical Brigade, and served as Officer in Charge of the West Haven VA clinical training site. Humanitarian travel to Central America providing medical care, and serving alongside Navy Seabees and Army Corps of Engineers building roads and schools, and sinking wells. Served with US Public Health Service providing medical care to Native American Nations.In retirement, engaged as missionary working with Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders (SAMS) and Kateri Medical Services, traveling to Madagascar and eastern Africa providing medical expertise and services. Wrote grant funding a women's empowerment center in northern Nigeria. Despite COVID, the monies are currently being spent erecting a free-standing building and setting up an education and work center. At home:Have served as Warden (Lay leader) and Vestry member at Christ and The Epiphany Church for many years. Member Diocesan Mission Committee, chairing the Travel Grant sub-committee.Wrote the original plan and secured early grant funding to fledge the Community Kitchen, which subsequently merged with East Haven United (EHU) under Rev. Tom Sievel and Pastor Karen Johnson.Member of Shoreline Community Garden Club (East Haven), and Branford Garden Club where I serve as Horticulture Chairperson.Completed UCONN Master Gardener, and Advanced Master Gardener program, and serve as mentor to new students. Completed Yale/Peabody Coastal Conservation studies.Have served on East Haven Housing Authority, Transit, and ADA committees. Currently serve on Inland Wetlands Committee.Member East Haven Lions Club. Location Coordinator for East Haven inaugural Wreaths Across America event 2021.Member American Legion Post 89, serving as Chaplain.Member, co-founder Cosey Beach group.Boy Scouts of America: Den Mother, Troop Committee, District Commissioner, Order of the Arrow Kewayden ChapterAdviser (Scouting National Honor Society), Quinnipiac Dancers Adviser. District Award of Merit 2003. St. George Award for mentoring youth programs. Susan Stacey Susan and her family came to reside in East Haven in 1959. After completing her elementary education at St. Mary's School in New Haven she enrolled at St. Vincent de Paul Junior High School. She then entered East haven high School, graduating in 1969. Sue had secured employment at Southern New England Telephone as a part-time switchboard operator at the age of 16. Upon graduating high school she remained with S.N.E.T. in various positions until accepting a buy-out in 1995. Eighteen months later Sue was called back and offered a mid-management position. She accepted and would remain with the phone company until retiring, for good, a decade later. Sue met her husband Jack at E.H.H.S. and reconnected upon his return from Vietnam. The couple married in 1972. Sue and Jack have two wonderful daughters, Sarah and Meaghan, two terrific son-in-laws, Robert and Dan, and three beloved grandchildren, Bryce, Madeline, and Kendall.Susan began giving back to her community in the 1980's, coaching her daughter's softball team at Momauguin Rec League. Continuing to follow the girl's athletic career she became a member of the East Haven High School Hoop Club and continued on as it was incorporated into the East Haven Yellowjacket Club. Sue also worked with other E.H.H.S. parents to promote a safe environment for the students "After-Prom." Continuing her work in the community Sue has been and/or continues to be involved with the Friends of the Library, Shoreline Garden Club, Clean-up East Haven, and the Shoreline Greenway Trail, in which she is responsible for sending out the Thank You cards to donors. In conjunction with her civic responsibilities Sue's main mission in her ministry, Mid-Night Run. In this capacity she accepts donations of bag lunches, toiletries, and clothing, to redistribute to the homeless of New Haven County. Sue works with various agencies throughout the New Haven/East Haven area to ensure those less fortunate are fed, clothed, and kept warm especially during the winter months. Sue was previously recognized for her charitable work by the shore Publishing Company with a Beacon Award in 2016.