To the Editor:

I was so happy to receive the initial Mary Hawley Award for public service to the town. I am proud of Bronson Hawley of The Hawley Society and Ken Weinstein of Newtown Savings Bank for initiating and sponsoring this award which encourages volunteering.

In my brief talk during the ceremony I mentioned that there are many ways to volunteer, even if you have a very busy life. Once you find a topic you are interested in I urge people to just leap in. Sometimes this is as an individual, other times with a partner. Or you may join a group. In the talk I singled out various groups who have contributed so much to Newtown. Afterward I was disappointed to discover I hadn’t mentioned all the volunteer firemen and police who helped so much in the major clean-up after our recent storm.

The purpose of this award is to encourage volunteerism and I hope that it will do just that. Please reach out, Newtowners, and help your neighbors and our wonderful town.

Sincerely,

Gordon Williams

Southbury