42nd Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian
DAVID M. GRANT In recognition of “outstanding volunteer leadership” in the Lower Naugatuck Valley Valley United Way is pleased that David M. Grant has been chosen as the winner of the 2012 Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award. As the owner of David M. Grant Caterers, he is responsible for one of the Valley’s most celebrated catering services, in business since 1974. He has built a solid reputation for quality food and superior service throughout Southwestern Connecticut. He has also built an incredible reputation for community involvement. He is a past president and member of both the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley and the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club (Twice!). He currently serves on the board of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce where he also is a past president. He is also the Vice President of the Shelton Economic Development Corporation. Grant is also a founding board member of the Valley Community Foundation. His service at Valley United Way included two terms as a member of the board, a term as Vice President, and he also chaired the successful 2008-2009 Community Fund Raising Campaign. No stranger to volunteering his services, Grant has received numerous awards for his efforts. The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce presented him with their Gold Seal Award in 1996 and in 2007, he was selected as the Platinum Award winner. He has won both the Raymond P. Lavietes Service to Youth Award from the Boys & Girls Club and the Raymond P. Lavietes Award from the Shelton Economic Development Corporation. The Parent Child Resource Center selected him for their Outstanding Service to Children and Families Award. Later this spring, he will also be receiving the Good Scout Award from the Housatonic Council Boy Scouts of America. He is also a Paul Harris Award winner with the Derby/Shelton Rotary Club. Dave is a native of Derby, graduate of Derby High School and Quinnipiac College. He has been married to Gail Frosceno for 37 years, and their two children David J. Grant and Michael M. Grant are both involved in the family businesses. Dave and Gail live in Shelton. Jack Walsh, President and C.O.O. of Valley United Way, said, “Listing Dave’s accomplishments and awards is no small task as he has successfully taken on so many challenges that make the Valley a better place to live and work. However, Dave does so many things that people never hear about that are just as significant”. He pointed out the May 2001 fire at Ansonia Latex Foam. Dave just happened to be driving in the area when he saw what had happened and realized the enormity of the disaster and the need to support the fire and police personnel working at the site. Within minutes, Dave was also on the scene starting up his grills and cooking for all the fire, police, and safety personnel on the scene until the fire was out. “Dave doesn’t just talk about doing things for the Valley, he makes them happen”, said Walsh.
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The award is named for the late Mr. Flynn, who, at the time of his death, was editor of The Evening Sentinel, a daily newspaper that was the main source of community information in the Lower Naugatuck Valley. Mr. Flynn had also been one of the founders of the Valley United Fund. He had been president of the Ansonia Community Chest. In 1968, he led that organization into a merger with the DerbyShelton Community Chest and the Seymour United Fund which resulted in the formation of what is now known as the Valley United Way..
Charles H. Flynn
Past Recipients 2011 --- Harry DiAdamo, Jr. 2010 — Dominick J. Thomas, Jr. 2009 — Fred Ortoli 2008 — Jack Ribas 2007 — Diane Stroman 2006 — William C. Nimons 2005 — David M. Rifkin 2004 — Janice Sheehy 2003 — Kenneth E. Schaible 2002 — Joseph A. Pagliaro, Sr. 2001 — Norman Santa 2000 — William C. Bassett 1999 — William D. Coffey 1998 — William M. Miller 1997 — Julius I. Douglas 1996 — Mary L. Pepe 1995 — Madeleine Sobin 1994 — John F. Costigan 1993 — Raymond P. Lavietes 1992 — John W. Gatison, Jr. 1991 — Doris L. and G. Bush Clark
1990 — G. Jeffrey Reynolds 1989 — Bartholomew J. Hennessey 1988 — Rev. Francis M. McKenna 1987 — Edward Cowey 1986 — Frank Casalveri 1985 — George Berman 1984 — Helen T. Ragusa 1983 — Richard L. Schuster 1982 — Edmund P. Strang 1981 — Anna L. LoPresti 1980 — Joseph A. Doyle 1979 — Edward W. Miller 1978 — Franklin S. Harris 1977 — Margaret C. Belden 1976 — Audrey E. Heusser 1975 — Irene G. Smith 1974 — Edward J. Cotter, Jr. 1973 — Donald W. Mark 1972 — L. Raymond Darling 1971 — Alice Russ Cochran
Humanitarian Award Committee William C. Nimons, Naugatuck Valley Savings & Loan Fred Ortoli, Fred Ortoli Photography Jack Ribas, Boys & Girls Club of the LNV David Rifkin, eGlobalfares Janice Sheehy, Webster Bank Diane Stroman, TEAM, Inc. All committee members are past Flynn Award recipients.
LIVE UNITED