2018 Winners – The Beacon Awards

Elizabeth Abernathy

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Like many Beacon Award winners, Elizabeth Abernathy is motivated by the idea of inspiring a younger generation. What’s unusual is that this dedicated volunteer and role model is a senior in high school. Elizabeth is an officer in the Guilford High School SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) group and a co-chair of the Guilford DAY (Developmental Assets for Youth) program, as well as serving on the student advisory board of the Guilford Youth & Family Services Agency. As a regular volunteer at Yale New Haven Hospital, she particularly enjoys the Pediatrics Unit. A pew minister at St. George in Guilford, she also coordinates collections for the homeless, and true to her mission, encourages her CCD students to pitch in.

Judith Barron

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Community Dining Room (CDR) Executive Director Judith Barron’s day job is admirable in so many ways—her organization not only feeds those in need, both in the Branford dining room and through take-out meals and delivery, but actively creates a sense of community through picnics, family activities, and the simple dignity of a shared meal. And that’s where the rest of Judy’s work begins. Outside of CDR, she’s a softball and cheerleading coach, a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House, a volunteer for Special Olympics, and much more. When asked the obvious—where do you find the time?—her answer is simple: “If not me, then who?”

Nelson Bernabucci

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Nelson Bernabucci, 93, greatly enjoyed last year’s Christmas Dinner at the Branford Senior Center, held each year to let the community express gratitude to its elders. Nelson was there as a volunteer, serving guests. This World War II veteran operates on the philosophy “it is better to serve others than be served,” and it shows through his lifetime of service in the Rotary Club (he’s a past president of the Rotary Club of Branford). Upon returning from World War II Navy service in New Guinea and the Phillipines, he became a business teacher in the Hamden Pubic School System, later founding the Branford Tutoring Service and, in 1965, the Branford Hall School. Currently, he’s still active with Rotary and, with his wife Louise, volunteering with the Branford Community Dining Room.

Emi Bisson

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Emelia Bisson has a pretty impressive résumé for a high school freshman. Last year, along with Lindsey Valentino, Lauren Valentino, and Abby Amara, the four then-middle schoolers organized the Shoreline March for Our Lives following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The event drew hundreds to Old Saybrook, including U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney. It wasn’t her first effort to take an active role in her community; she started volunteering in the 5th grade with Buddy Baseball and Basketball, teaming up with a differently abled partner, a role she’s continued at Valley Regional High School. She also volunteers at Kirtland Commons, Deep River’s senior housing facility, to serve meals and brighten days of her elders.

Melissa Carney

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Melissa Carney lost her vision to cancer at age two, which many would find to be a challenge. Instead, Melissa has found it a motivation to seek new challenges and share the lessons she learns from her successes with her colleagues. Starting as a rider at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, she progressed from rider to mentor. She found her involvement with the National Federation of the Blind activities so rewarding she helped found a state-level student division in Connecticut, and another in Massachusetts. Believing that an impairment shouldn’t impair her, this college student will spend a semester in Washington, D.C., learning how to be an advocate at the national level.

Gerri Giordano

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How many people do you know with a key to the city? Gerri Giordano was given a key to North Haven in the ‘80s for her dedication to the town, and she has remained dedicated to making the community a better place to this day. Gerri has been an active member of the North Haven community since she and her husband moved to town more than 50 years ago, starting when her son’s North Haven High School football team was struggling with fundraising, a situation she quickly fixed. She joined the North Haven Garden Club in 1976 and continues the club’s beautification efforts around town. She’s also answered the call to help with North Haven’s bicentennial celebrations and ongoing conservation efforts around town.

Jean Kelley

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“Hope” is a powerful word in the Kelley household. Jean Kelley’s son, Brian, was born in 1988 and diagnosed at age six with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a hereditary disease estimated to affect one in every 20,000 boys and one that rapidly steals away sight, speech, and movement and can result in severe disability or death if not treated. Jean and her husband Jack Kelley founded Brian’s Hope, a non-profit dedicated to supporting awareness and prevention of ALD. Jean recently found success in Hartford passing legislation that adds ALD screening to newborns and is now taking the fight nationwide.

Tom Lindner

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Thomas Lindner is a native son of Deep River, and he wears that local pride on his sleeve. In his career as community reinvestment officer with the Essex Savings Bank, it has been his job to bolster the area’s non-profit efforts through donations to more than 200 organizations—but that’s just the start. Tom knows those local organizations through personal involvement, such as serving as a selectman and treasurer in Deep River or on the Valley-Shore YMCA Board of Directors and as a member of the Deep River Rotary, and remaining an ongoing ambassador for all the groups he’s aided.

Catherine Mathis

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Catherine Mathis always wanted a big family; her husband thought a smaller family would be nice. They compromised at three children of their own. Catherine recognized an opportunity to share what her family had to offer, however, and opened her doors to 13 foster children and 28 exchange students over the years. She continues to help others through Literacy Volunteers- Valley Shore, noting that when you help someone learn English, you’re also helping their children, and through the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries. She’s also active in the Old Lyme Congregational Church, including its choir, and has nurtured local arts through volunteering with the Norma Terris Theatre, Ivoryton Playhouse, and The Kate.

Tobie Meisel

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Everyone deserves a chance at a better life. Tobie Meisel is dedicated to making that happen. Through the Women & Family Life Center, Tobie leads a support group that helps give women the tool for success in a time of need. Through the Guilford ABC (A Better Chance) program, she helps high school girls from the inner city find opportunity at Guilford High School. She believes in better chances for all—even herself. An attorney by training, she’s also an author, actor, speaker, and choir singer in addition to being a therapist.