On the evening of January 12th, Wilton Go Green held its annual awards ceremony, virtually, honoring the individuals who have made exceptional contributions to sustainability in the Town of Wilton over the past two years.
Tammy Thornton, President of Wilton Go Green, has announced the following awardees for 2021 and 2022:
2021
The Green Organization Award was presented to Minks to Sinks recognizing their nine decades of hosting “the biggest treasure hunt in town.” Truly embracing the reduce and reuse mentality Minks to Sinks has facilitated the transfer of household items to new homes while financially supporting social services programs and reducing waste. Kim Healy, Co-Chair of Minks to Sinks, accepted the award on the organization's behalf.
The Green Generosity Award was presented to Buy Nothing Project- Wilton, founded by two working moms in Wilton, Mary Jo Avellino and Maria Stylianou. The Buy Nothing Project’s mission is to give, receive, lend, share and show gratitude in our hyper-local community while increasing connections between our neighbors. With over 2,000 members, Buy Nothing Wilton has been inspiring altruism, gratitude and sharing of objects, social services and skills.
The Green Ecosystems Award was presented to two individuals. Donna Merrill, former Executive Director of the Wilton Land Conservation Trust, former Conservation Commissioner and Founder of the Pollinator Pathway and Louise Washer, Executive Director of the Norwalk River Watershed Association, have been guiding us in environmental stewardship, community engagement and thoughtful leadership around Wilton’s natural lands conservation work and the pollinator pathway movement.
2022
The Green Community Beautification Award was presented to the Wilton Garden Club as they celebrated their 100th Anniversary this past year. The Wilton Garden Club has been dedicated to “providing education, conservation, preservation and beautification in and around the town of Wilton” with their “Making Wilton Beautiful” campaign, educating on our environment as well as hosting their coveted annual plant sale where garden pots are reused and local plants are the spotlight.
The Green Student Award was presented to fifth-grade student Elyse Pencu who currently serves as “Ms. President U.S. Wilton.” Elyse campaigned on the importance of fighting litter and was honored for demonstrating exemplary leadership skills as she organized Cider Mill school’s first anti-littering contest, collecting over 50 bags of litter from across Wilton as well as inspiring and reviving our Annual Town-Wide Clean Up day in May 2021.
The Green Town Official Award was presented to Deborah McFadden. Deb has served on the Board of Selectmen for four years and has always championed our mission. Her guidance in environmental stewardship, community engagement and thought leadership has helped Wilton Go Green set new standards for ecologically responsible living within our town government and residents.
"Congratulations again to all of our honorees! We are excited to see what 2022 has in store for all of us as we work together towards a common goal of sustainability," says Thornton.
To learn more, visit the Wilton Go Green website..
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