2023 Winners – The Beacon Awards

Ann Murray

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:48:27 +0000

Ann Murray is always willing to lend a helping hand to her neighbors. A member of the East Haven Fire Department Volunteer Company One, Ann has served her local firefighters association for 30 years. She’s a past recipient of the East Haven Merit Award and sits on the committee for future awardees. Ann continues to work to make an impact for all of her neighbors.

Anthony Carrano

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:49:03 +0000

Anthony Cono Carrano has found a number of ways to make a positive impact in his community. After a career teaching Valley Regional High School students the secrets of math, Anthony continues to find ways to help his neighbors in retirement. As the head of the Ancient Order of Weeders in Essex, he can frequently be found helping beautify the traffic islands on Route 154. When he’s not driving for Friends in Service Here (FISH), Anthony performs with Con Brio and Capella Cantorum and is a member of the Hilltop Four Barbershop Quartet and the Community Music School’s New Horizons Band. Anthony is dedicated to being a positive force in his community.

Ashley Phan

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:49:40 +0000

For Ashley Phan, it’s all about connections. As president and co-founder of We Are One Inc., an anti-human trafficking non-profit, Ashley says her favorite thing is connecting trafficking survivors and at-risk youth with resources. Ashley is a board member of the United Nations Association, and she does fundraising work to build connections and Branford and Guilford.

Daniel Montgomery

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:50:56 +0000

Daniel Montgomery says that serving his community and seeing the positive lifelong impact of a volunteer can’t be overstated. Daniel fills his time volunteering for a number of local organizations and sits on the board of directors for the Ethan Miller Song Foundation and KidsforKids, Dancing for Life. For Daniel, developing relationships and working with families and children in need are some of the best parts of helping his community.

Dawn Perrotti

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:51:37 +0000

Dawn Perrotti says volunteering allows her to use her skills and time to impact her community in a positive way. A member of the Community Dining Room’s Fundraising Advisory Committee, Dawn has volunteered for the Legacy Theatre, served on the Board of Education, and worked with community sports and school programs. Dawn believes in doing good work in her community and has well-served her neighbors.

Diane Beckwith Popolizio

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:52:20 +0000

Diane Beckwith Popolizio says one small act of kindness can change a life. As the founder of Helping the Homeless, Diane has teamed up with local organizations to serve those in and near her community, collecting and delivering needed goods to area shelters and food banks. Outside of her hometown, Diane has worked to support Turkey and Ukraine, helped bring clean water to areas in need, and organized litter clean-ups in her neighborhood.

Elise Low

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:53:01 +0000

Elise Low is passionate about educating her neighbors about voting. A longtime mainstay of the League of Women Voters of the East Shore, Elise works to help register residents to vote and provides voter education. As a moderator at debates and a program moderator, Elise works to bring local elections to a wider audience.

Frances Swietlicki

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:53:52 +0000

Frances Swietlicki takes joy in watching people discover the history of his Guilford. A member of the Guilford Green Committee and the Guilford Keeping Society (GKS), Frances enjoys fundraising to restore pieces of the town’s history. Frances has spearheaded a number of GKS fundraisers, including anniversary events, and has served her community by keeping its history alive.

Joe Carapella

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:55:03 +0000

Joe Carapella enjoys working with people. He says seeing others’ passion to serve is one of his favorite things about making a difference in the community. Joe is a member of Clinton Human Services, the Clinton Lions Club, and NAMI Shoreline and has become a critical piece of Clinton Human Services’ suicide prevention efforts. His commitment to making a difference has helped the lives of those in his community.

Laura Colebank

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:57:31 +0000

Laura Colebank was inspired by her grandfather’s compassion and generosity, quietly serving her community behind the scenes. She aims to inspire others to use their time and talents to help non-profits and, as a board member of the Community Foundation of Middlesex County and Study Hall Inc., Laura continues to contribute in as many ways as she can. She volunteers for the Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries and Clinton Human Services and has served as a past board member of the Clinton PTA. Laura says getting involved with other dedicated, passionate people is fulfilling.