Special Programs

In addition to grants and scholarships, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts offers special programming to further its mission of helping children. One such annual program is the Local Hero Awards, which recognizes area teachers for their hard work and commitment to shaping the futures of children from Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.

2011 Local Hero Awards
RMHC of CT and Western MA recently honored 10 area teachers with the fifth annual RMHC Local Hero Awards. The selected teachers from Connecticut and Western Massachusetts have all exhibited tremendous dedication to their profession and outstanding efforts in servicing their schools and communities. To further recognize each recipient, RMHC awarded a $1,000 grant to each teacher’s school in his/her honor. The 2011 recipients are as follows:

1. Kelley Brown - History Teacher, Easthampton High School/ Easthampton, MA
2. Kristen Juda - Social Studies Teacher, Har-Bur Middle School/ Burlington, CT
3. Allysa Lombardo - 3rd Grade Teacher, Washington School/ Waterbury, CT
4. Kristi Luetjen - KindergartenTeacher, Whiting Lane School/ West Hartford, CT
5. Pellegrino Mancini - Special Education Teacher, Ivy Drive School/ Bristol, CT
6. Joseph Peluso - History Teacher, Guilford High School/ Guilford, CT
7. Laurie Risler - 4th & 5th Grade Teacher, Hilltown Co-op Charter Public School/ Haydenville, MA
8. Allyson Singleton - 3rd Grade Teacher, Memorial School/ East Hampton, CT
9. Joyce St. Germaine - Art Teacher, Bristow Middle School/ West Hartford, CT
10. Keith Wright - Science Teacher, Springfield Renaissance School/ Springfield, MA