Each year as nominations begin to flood in for the annual Beacon Awards, we are in awe of the incredible pool of worthy candidates. You tell us stories about the amazing people you know, using words like selfless, caring, compassionate, loving, and passionate. The large number of candidates for 2023 was no exception.

The nominees are a testament to the communities we are privileged to live, work, and play in. Since its inception in 2013, the Beacon Awards have aimed to shine a broader, shoreline-wide spotlight on some of our neighbors in the community who contribute so much of themselves. These individuals help make our communities the remarkable places we know and love. And the flood of nominations received each year continues to prove that we aren’t alone in being utterly humbled by the selfless contributions made by some of our most humble neighbors. Selecting 15 winners from such a worthy pool of candidates continues to be one of our toughest jobs.

Now in its 11th year, the Beacon Awards have celebrated 150 special individuals. Past winners have selflessly stepped up to fulfill the shoreline community’s promise as a place of opportunity, well-being, and safety for all. This year’s winners are no exception.

We are honored to have the opportunity to honor 15 more awardees at a gala event on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at WoodWinds. This year’s winners are Joe Carapella, Anthony Carrano, Laura Colebrook, Mary Didiuk, Melanie DiNicola, Elise Low, Daniel Montgomery, Ann Murray, Samantha Parlato, Dawn Perrotti, Olando Petgrave, Ashley Phan, Diane Popolizio, Todd Steward, and Frances Swietlicki.

Tickets for this year’s gala go are currently on sale, and tickets can be purchased at www.beaconawardsct.com/tickets. We hope you will join us as we celebrate the generosity of these 15 wonderful individuals from across our shoreline.

We are extremely thankful to everyone who submitted a nomination for this year’s class. You helped shine a light on the kindness of so many within our towns. We also extend our thanks to all our sponsors for helping make the Beacon Awards possible. Thanks also go out to all of our past winners and nominees. We are so pleased to be able to celebrate you and all you have done within our communities. The Beacon Awards are a success because of you.

Congratulations to our 2023 Beacon Award winners!