| AUGUST 14, 2013 -- Catherine Russi, member of Colchester Grange #78 and resident of Lebanon, was named the Colchester Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Year; Service above Self on March 6. Russi was recently honored with a dinner celebration at NuNu’s Bistro in Colchester attended by her friends and family and members of the Colchester Rotary Club.
Background: Russi served as Director of the Colchester Senior Center, where she went beyond her daily duties to ensure that the senior citizens wre provided with transportation, meals and entertainment. She played an integral part in keeping the seniors informed of medical and insurance information and was always available to answer any questions.
Big Impact: Russi’s “claim to fame” while at the Colchester Senior Center was the Intergenerational Program, also known as The Gift Goes On Program. She teamed up with an elementary school teacher to bring children and Colchester seniors together once a month to share in a variety of one-on-one projects, guest speakers, stories and meal sharing.
Volunteer: Every October, Russi organized Make a Difference Day, involving the schools in town with a variety of tasks collecting items such as slightly used coats, sweaters, clothing, diapers, and school supplies. Members of the Senior Center sorted all of the collected items and distributed them to local charitable organizations. Several years ago, Russi was honored in US. Weekly as a top recipient of the Make a Difference Day program, receiving $10,000. The money went to help the Haitian Health Foundation and the Colchester Food Bank. Russi continues volunteering and running the Make a Difference Day at St. Andrew’s Church in Colchester. She also volunteers for other community organizations.
Later work: After Russi retired from the Colchester Senior Center, she went to work at the Glastonbury Adult Education Center to put together resources for middle-aged residents, assisting them in choosing courses that would educate them in new careers or assist them in finding skill-based classes. She now works as a recreational assistant in Harrington Court in Colchester which offers convalescent and rehabilitation services. |
