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Bay State
Chapter of Freedoms Foundation to Present George Washington Honor
Medals on November 5
Viking Pride Foundation, Cullen Dwyer of Pembroke, Brooksby
Village Volunteers, and Peter Ingeneri of Wakefield to be Honored at
Ceremonies in East Boston
The Bay State Chapter of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge will
present prestigious George Washington Honor Medals to a community
assistance foundation, a young man who overcame tragedy, and
volunteers at a senior citizen complex to honor their dedication to
community service and patriotism. The Chapter will also present a
“Spirit of '76” Award for meritorious service to a long-time
educator in the Boston Public School System.
The awards will be presented at the Bay State Chapter’s 31st Annual
Awards Luncheon on Saturday, November 5, 2011, at 12 noon, in
Spinelli’s Banquet Facility, Day Square, East Boston. Tickets are
$40.
The Honor Medal will be presented to: The Viking Pride Foundation of
Winthrop; Cullen Dwyer of Pembroke; and the volunteers at Brooksby
Village of Peabody.
“The Viking Pride Foundation, young Cullen Dwyer, and the volunteers
at Brooksby Village all represent the best ideals of America –
caring for others less fortunate and selfless service to community,”
said Joseph Ferrino Jr., President of Bay State Chapter, Freedoms
Foundation. “We honor these organizations and individuals with the
George Washington Honor Medal because they have made a difference in
the lives of countless citizens across our state.”
Peter Ingeneri of Wakefield will be honored with the Bay State
Chapter “Spirit of '76” Award for his dedication to the good works
of Freedoms Foundation, and his many civic and charitable endeavors.
The Viking Pride Foundation of Winthrop was formed after major
fiscal cutbacks threatened to devastate the school curriculum and
school sports programs that were the life-blood of the community.
The non-profit Viking Pride Foundation was formed by concerned
citizens in 2004, and from the first meeting, more than $50,000 was
raised to help the schools and the sports programs. Since then,
hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised to support the
schools, including the purchase of four school buses that were
donated to the school system. The funds have also supported art,
music and theater programs, and provided mini-grants to Winthrop
teachers.
Cullen Dwyer of Pembroke has turned a tragedy in his own life into a
life-long passion to help others avoid a similar fate. As a
10-year-old, Dwyer was struck by a car while in-line skating. He was
not wearing a helmet, and the accident put him in a coma for six
weeks. When he awoke, it took him seven years to learn how to walk,
speak, dress and feed himself. In the ensuing years, he has
dedicated himself to bringing young people the message of safety –
always wear a helmet when riding a bike, in-line skating or
skate-boarding. He has brought that message to middle and high
schools, college campuses, and to Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill,
where he helped to change laws that will protect children.
In 2010, the volunteers at Brooksby Village in Peabody recorded more
than 51,000 hours of volunteer service within this senior community
and in the community at-large. Their efforts included fundraising
and service projects that supported a student scholarship fund,
local food pantries, the Special Olympics, Operation Troop Support,
a battered women’s shelter and a homeless shelter, a children’s
organization in El Salvador, Habitat for Humanity, and military
veteran’s activities.
Peter Ingeneri of Wakefield – the Spirit of ’76 Award winner – is a
30-year, life member of the Bay State Chapter of Freedoms
Foundation, where he has served as president and as vice president
for the Youth and Education Committee. He was a long-time educator
in the Boston Public Schools, teaching math and science at Boston
Latin School and rising through the ranks to become Deputy
Superintendent. He is also active with the Pirandello Lyceum, the
Boston Kiwanis Club and St. Florence Parish in Wakefield.
Tickets to the Bay State Chapter awards luncheon are $40 and are
available from Chapter Founder and Executive Director Joseph V.
Ferrino by calling 617-846-2122 or Past President Ed Coletta at
617-797-2683.
Freedoms Foundation awards Americans who go above and beyond in
their efforts to educate their communities about the values of good
citizenship, either through teaching or by example. The foundation
has recognized several thousand dedicated individuals and
organizations in its 61-year existence.
Freedoms Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to
teaching all citizens the principles upon which our nation was
founded. The organization seeks to convey the close link between the
rights and the responsibilities of citizens in society.
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