by Amy Pjura
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead
On May 5, family, friends and colleagues gathered at MGM Grand at Foxwoods to celebrate by honoring Angela V. Arnold as the 59th Annual Citizen of the Year. Master of ceremonies, Warren Scholl, President and CEO, CorePlus Federal Credit Union, conducted the evening’s presentations and speakers in an energetic way, by adding humor and fun. Some of Angela’s closest friends spoke in her honor and agreed that this award could not be presented to a better deserving individual than Angela.
Angela is well known around the community as a person who does not say “no” to anything. She served on boards of directors, and volunteered in many ways, for the past 32 years. She remains to be an active part of the community, and is adamant to serve for many more. To hear of all the accomplishments – being on all the boards of director, being the first woman president of the Montville Rotary Club in ‘96 – makes me want to do more in my community.
By being a part of a younger generation, I can say that she is very inspirational and someone to look up to. It was a honor to be able to attend the award dinner, and to hear all the wonderful things her friends and family had to say about her.
One speaker, Dr. Sarah Arnold, Angela’s daughter, was exceptionally moving. Her speech brought a tear to my eye. Sarah expressed her gratitude towards her mom and all of the things that she taught her. The lessons she learned from her mom make her the person she is today. If Angela did not stay by her side during the many times spent in the hospital or tell her she could go through the dark crawlspace to the breaker box to fix the fuse in her first house, Sarah would not be the strong, independent woman she is today. And all of that, is thanks to her mom. Listening to her speech, how could you not think about your own mother, and all the things she taught that you might brush off while growing up. I don’t think Angela could ask for a better Mother’s Day gift than her daughter honoring her.
Angela certainly knows that volunteering will get you far in life. When it was her time to speak, she started by saying, “It doesn’t get any better than this!” It certainly does not when you are spending an evening with your closest friends and family celebrating all the time and effort in volunteering with the community, and all the good that comes with it. In response to Angela’s achievements, Keith Fontaine, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Backus Hospital, said, “Angela is living proof you can do well by doing good.”
Congratulations to you Angela!
