Community Corner

East Haven Volunteers Receive Presidential Award

Shawn Hopkinson — along with three dozen other East Haven volunteers who were also recognized for their Tropical Storm Irene relief work — was presented with the President's Volunteer Service Award on Tuesday.

Update at 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday

Shawn Hopkinson was all smiles when he received his President's Volunteer Service award Tuesday afternoon at the .

Hopkinson was joined by some three dozen other East Haven residents who were also honored for their volunteer relief work in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene.

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Joseph Maturo presented the awards to each of the recipients.

All of those honored today were part of "People Helping People," an all-volunteer relief organization founded by Hopkinson.

Find out what's happening in East Havenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

East Haven Patch attended the ceremony, and we have the entire presentation — as well as an interview with Hopkinson — posted in the gallery that accompanies this article.

Original Story (Sunday at 5:45 a.m.)

Shawn Hopkinson will soon receive his President’s Volunteer Service Award, which the East Haven resident along the shoreline following .

The presentation will be made by Joseph Maturo on Tuesday, March 13, at the Community Room, beginning at 2 p.m.

In addition, People Helping People — the volunteer group Hopkinson formed and led — will receive its own President’s Volunteer Service Award. 

The award gives recipients a lapel pin, certificate and letter from President Barack Obama.

Maturo will present both awards at the ceremony and the pin awarded to the group will be donated to the , according to the Mayor's Office.

In addition, the mayor will be giving a "Mayoral Proclamation" to Hopkinson and each representative of the group.


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