Community Corner
Dinner of New London Champions
The Opportunities Industrialization Center of New London County celebrates its 8th annual Community Champions Celebration.
Four community advocates will be the guests of honor at a dinner for “Community Champions” sponsored by the Opportunities Industrialization Center of New London County on Thursday.
This year OIC is honoring Michael Buscetto, III a community advocate and entrepreneur; Steve Sigel, executive director of Garde Arts Center; Verna Swann, patient relations manager at L+M Hospital.
Also, this is the first year the OIC will award the Milton L. Cook Distinguished Citizen’s Award, which will be awarded to Milton L. Cook, posthumously and accepted by Minerva Dudley-Cook.
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“We are very excited to honor our Champions during this exciting event,” said Executive Director Danielle Chiaraluce in a prepared statement. “It is important for the community to see the success that comes from OIC and to recognize those that embody OIC’s philosophy.”
The organization’s mission is “helping people help themselves,” according to a press release and each year they “identify leaders who have provided that spark to others. Selected individuals are those who have made a difference in the community through their ideas, leadership and dedication.”
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The press release said “These individuals represent what one person can do to support and improve communities through their work in the educational field, the business arena, and public service. They represent people who are doers and not simply talkers.”
According to the release, “OIC has served the southeastern Connecticut community since 1970, providing job training, skill building workshops, and career certificate programs. In this time of heightened economic insecurity, it is more critical than ever that people have the opportunity to develop the skills they need to secure gainful employment. While most organization and businesses are certainly feeling the effects of the financial crisis, OIC is acutely aware that many people still look to its services as a source of stability and hope for the future."
Find more information at their website or email executive.director@oicnlc.org
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