Nominations Open For 2024 Stamford Citizen Of The Year

STAMFORD, CT — Mayor Caroline Simmons this week announced that nominations are now being accepted for 2024’s Stamford Citizen of the Year (COTY).

“The city of Stamford has many dedicated and committed residents who make remarkable contributions to our community," Simmons said in a news release. "The Citizen of the Year recognition is a way to honor those achievements and an individual who makes a difference in the lives of others."

The COTY award is given annually to a resident whose contributions make Stamford the great place that it is. The award began in 1945, and it was founded by Fred Robbins, a war veteran of World War I and World War II — after he settled in Stamford and became involved in community affairs.

Robbins worked with Mayor Webster Givens to establish the Citizen of the Year award.

Givens appointed Post 142 of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States to be the sponsoring organization for the award. Post 142 has sponsored the award on behalf of the city for 78 years, and in that time the award has honored 80 men and women who have served the Stamford Community.

This year’s selection committee includes:

• Cathy Ostuw, Chair and 2019 Citizen of the Year.
• William Hennessey, 2023 Citizen of the Year.
• Jevera Kaye Hennessey, 2023 Citizen of the Year
• Stephen Fischer, Commander, Jewish War Veterans Post 142
• Mark Lyons, Member-at-large
• Denise Lyles, Member-at-large

"While it has been always wonderful to celebrate our honorees’ dedication and commitment to Stamford through their impactful service a poignant outcome of our nomination process is learning about their respective lives through the various biographical materials submitted," commented Gary H. Stone, Co-Chair, along with Rick Redniss, in a news release.

"Additionally, honoring veterans and high school seniors who have demonstrated their deep commitment to our community affords us an annual opportunity to celebrate the dedication and achievements of these phenomenal individuals," added Redniss. "Each year we look forward to learning more about all COTY nominees. Then we make the difficult decision of choosing just one who makes us proud to be part of the city of Stamford."

The committee’s criteria for selecting the award recipient has remained the same since the founding of the award in 1945. The chosen nominee shall:

• Demonstrate a belief in interfaith harmony.
• Possess the highest standards of responsibility in civic life.
• Help in the promotion of projects for the public welfare.
• Has personally worked with distinction to benefit Stamford on a community-wide basis.

Nominations must include a bullet point summary of the nominee’s background supporting the criteria listed above. Nominations can be filled out at stamfordcoty.org, emailed to StamfordCitizen@aol.com or mailed to:

Nominations Committee
2024 City of Stamford Citizen of the Year
48 Putter Drive
Stamford, CT 06907

All nominations must be received by Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.