NE CT chamber recognizes contributions of Deary, Foster and Wolanin at award gala

The Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce on Thursday recognized three individuals for their outstanding contributions to the region during the group’s recent 2022 annual dinner and awards gala.

The Civic Achievement Award, given to an individual or group for broad-based involvement with clubs, civic groups, charities and other endeavors, was awarded to Killingly resident Peter Deary for a “lifetime of dedicated service to a variety of organizations throughout northeastern Connecticut and beyond,” the chamber said in a release.

Deary, currently in his second term as a member of the Board of Directors at Day Kimball Healthcare – he also served as chairman of the board from 2006-08 – helped raise more than $2 million for the Day Kimball Hospital Deary Fund, which helps to pay for mammograms and cancer services for patients of northeastern Connecticut, and more than $3 million for the Townsend Emergency Medical Center.

Deary was lauded for his support of Quinebaug Valley Community College and his work on the Board of Directors of the QVCC Foundation.

He was recognized for helping establish a foundation dedicated to assisting the Haitian people; his 10 years serving on various fundraising committees for Camp Quinebaug, a summer camp for school-aged children with developmental disabilities; his more than 20 years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce; 15 years on the Board of Governors of Quinnatisset Country Club; and 20 years on the Board of Deacons at the First Congregation Church of Pomfret.

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David Foster, of Hampton, wins George J. Racine, Sr. Humanitarian Award

The chamber’s George J. Racine, Sr. Humanitarian Award, given to a person in recognition of their dedicated involvement with a cause or activity which promotes concern for human welfare, was awarded to David Foster of Hampton.

Foster, widely known for his musical talent, has served as a “beacon of hope and support" for many non-profit organizations in the Windham region, the chamber awards committee said in a statement.

“David set his sights within the Windham community with a focus of addressing issues of hunger, homelessness, poverty and support for people with disabilities,” the committee said.

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Foster helped raise more than $100,000 for the Covenant Soup Kitchen in a Willimantic, which serves more than 150,000 meals a year for those in need, and worked to reduce the group’s mortgage through a series of concerts.

Foster’s generosity extended to the Windham Area Interfaith Ministries – he helped locate and buy a delivery truck for the group – and is working with the town of Windham to find a “no-freeze” shelter space.

Monique Wolanin, of Pomfret, wins Community Champion Award

Pomfret resident Monique Wolanin was the recipient of the chamber’s Community Champion Award, presented to an individual, couple or organization that has made a substantive, yet unrecognized, contribution to the community.

Wolanin has worked for 14 years with Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation and, as director of institutional advancement, worked to grow the Foundation from a $1.5 million organization to one more worth more than $6 million, the awards committee said.

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“Her work has ensured that the funding for scholarships remains strong and that the money raised stays in northeast Connecticut,” the chamber said. “She has led the Foundation and guided three presidents and a new CEO to connect with the local community and keep QVCC robust, connected and focused on serving local students.”

Wolanin introduced new learning opportunities to the college including a “Perspectives and Visions in Leadership” speaker series and was a driving force in the creation of several fundraising efforts, including Donuts for Donations, the QVCC Spelling Bee and the popular Tackle the Trail event which winds from Windham to Putnam along the Airline Trail.

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She also helped grow the QVCC Golf Tournament, which in 2021 raised than $60,000 for the Foundation.

The gala was held at StoneHurst at Hampton Valley.

John Penney can be reached at jpenney@norwichbulletin.com or at (860) 857-6965

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Killingly, Pomfret, Hampton volunteers awarded at NE CT chamber gala