Wallingford Mayor Honored At Big Brothers Big Sisters’ 60th Anniversary Gala

WALLINGFORD, CT — Wallingford Mayor Vinny Cervoni was among the six community leaders honored at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut’s 60th Anniversary Gala at the Riverview in Simsbury.

The event raised more than $395,000 to support youth mentoring across the state, according to organizers.

Cervoni was recognized with an Enduring Champion Award for his decades of leadership and service to the mentoring movement, according to a news release.

“Vinny’s years of dedicated service leading the Boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Meriden & Wallingford — and later Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters following an agency merger — helped lay the foundation for the strong, statewide organization that exists today,” the news release states. “Now serving his second term as Mayor of Wallingford, Cervoni continues to exemplify purpose-driven leadership, bringing a passion for connection and opportunity to his work in the community.”

Reflecting on the impact of mentorship, Cervoni said: “My entire life has been blessed with mentors, from family to educators to professional leaders. Supporting mentor relationships for children who may not have shared my advantages was an opportunity I deeply valued.”

In addition to Cervoni, the organization honored five other community leaders with Enduring Champion Awards, including David Director of Cromwell; Joe Massoud of Westport; Jane Konover Coppa; Wayne “Bear” Holcombe; and Mike Mascaro for their longstanding advocacy and support.

“This great event reflected the efforts and support of hundreds of people – none more important than our Little Brothers and Sisters and their Bigs, who were a major presence at the Gala,” said Andy Fleischmann, President & CEO of BBBSCT. “They’re emblematic of the more than 1,600 children and young adults our team has served since our last Gala.”

Former WFSB Channel 3 anchor and reporter Alleah Red served as Emcee for the event, which attracted 300 guests.

Event sponsors included Liberty Bank, The Konover Coppa Family Fund, Stanley Black and Decker, Eversource, Quanta Service, The Travelers, Connecticut Lighting Centers, Hudson Insurance Group, and more.

“The evening was a memorable celebration of 60 years of one-to-one mentoring and its life-changing impact,” the news release states. “Myriad journal-reviewed studies show that when trained, caring adults mentor young people, participating youth are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as trying alcohol or drugs or engaging in bullying, and more likely to engage in school, graduate high school, achieve good wages, and be involved in their communities.”

To learn more about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, visit ctbigs.org; or to donate, visit https://ctbigs.org/donate.