Richard has been an active member of the Tolland Fire Department for 41 years and an emergency medical technician for the last 29 years. In addition to his services to public safety, Richard serves on numerous local and state boards and commissions on both the emergency and non emergency level. He is one of the most dedicated members of the Tolland community. The Connecticut Sun and Cascade would like to thank Richard for his commitment to the community.

May 25 – Michael Butterworth, Oakdale, CT

Michael recently retuned from Iraq after serving one year with the Connecticut Army National Guards 248 Engineer Company (Heavy) from Norwich. In addition to the year served in Iraq, Michael has been with the Connecticut National Guard for 15 years. Among everything else Michael has done for the Oakdale community, he has been a member of the Oakdale volunteer fire department for 23 years. In his spare time, he has assisted Montville youth softball. The Connecticut sun and cascade will like to thank Michael Butterworth for protecting our country and for his commitment to the community.

June 18 – Paul Ford, New Haven, CT

Paul is the Founder and President of the JWF Foundation, named after his brother who was murdered in 1991 at the age of 15. The JWF Foundation provides youth with alternative ways to keep them occupied and off the streets of New Haven. To date the JWF Foundation has held 10 youth festivals, which provide educational and athletic activities. The Connecticut sun and cascade would like to thank Paul for his commitment to the community. For more information about the JWF Foundation contact Paul Ford at jwfyouthfoundation@hotmail.com.

July 22 – Debbie Pelletier and Susan Denote, CT

This evening the Connecticut Sun honored two individuals, Debbie Pelletier and her sister, Susan Denote. Debbie and Susan lost their other sister, Sandy, to breast cancer in may of 2002. Through their initial hope, yet eventual loss, and sorrow, Debbie and Susan brought together 400 people to join "Sandy’s Team" to this years Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Their combined efforts, raised over $11,000 for breast cancer research and education. The Connecticut Sun and Cascade would like to thank Debbie Pelletier and Susan Denote for their commitment to the community. For more information about the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation log on to www.komenct.org.

September 3 – Philp Kurze, Colchester, CT

For the past 32 years, Philip Kurze has dedicated his life to the safety of others. Philip has spent a lot of time in Washington, D.C. speaking to senators and congress about the need for financial assistance to help purchase public warning systems for communities in all 50 states. Philip is known as the father of the Colchester Police Department. He has also served as fire marshall and police commisioner. The Connecticut Sun and Cascade would like to thank Philip for his commitment to the community.

September 12 – Willard Mcrae, Middletown, CT

Willard Mcrae has a long history of community involvement. He was the co-founder of the NAACP-Wesleyan Tutorial Program and a consultant to the Wesleyan Upward Bound Educational Program. Willard served as a consultant to Community Action For Greater Middletown, councilman for the City pf Middletown, director of The Employment Program for Upgrading Employment for Minorities for The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce and served on the chamber's board of directors. In the past he has held memberships in the Greater Middletown Community Non-Profit Housing Corporation, greater Middletown Negro Youth Scholarship Fund and Governor's Task Force For Prevention Of Teenage Pregnancy to name a few.
The Connecticut Sun and Cascade would like to thank Willard Mcrae for his commitment to the community.

September 17– Laura Sandy, Sharen Peters, Trevor Palonen

This evening the Connecticut Sun would like to honor three individuals for the cascade dish & assist hero award. All three individuals have been tireless soldiers in the battle to save Connecticut's babies. As participants in the March Of Dimes Walk America, Laura Sandy was one of the top walkers in the southern division raising $1500. Sharen Peters, an 18 year walk veteran, was the number 3 walker in the state this year raising $7500, and Trevor Palonen was the top walker in the state of ct, as well as the top youth walker in the entire nation, raising $12,268. All together, thanks to volunteers like Laura, Sharen and Trevor, this year's March Of Dimes Walk America raised over $1 million dollars toward their mission – to insure that one day all of Connecticut's babies are born healthy. The Connecticut Sun and Cascade would like to thank Laura Sandy, Sharen Peters and Trevor Palonen for their commitment to the community.

September 19 – Charlene Breen and Christopher Bergendahl

Our first hero is Charlene Breen a big sister with Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters. A big for the past two years, Charlene has been a positive role model for her little Moriah. Taking time out of her busy life to assure Moriah gets the special attention she needs. This type of dedicated attention motivates Moriah to excel in school. Our second Cascade Dish and Assist Hero Award goes to Christopher Bergendahl. Chris is a high school Eagle Scout from Enfield. As a part of his Eagle Scout project Chris copied and distributed 14,000 red cross disaster preparedness brochures to the town of Enfield. Since becoming an Eagle Scout, Chris has been awarded with the Rell’s Rewards Honor. The Connecticut Sun and Cascade would like to thank Charlene Breen and Christopher Bergendahl for their commitment to the community.