2009 CCGB Great Friend Awardees

THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES’

2009 LIFE MEMBER AWARD

Sandra J. Brown

Sandra is a native Bridgeporter, graduating from Bassick High School in June, 1953.  She immediately commenced her career at Bridgeport-People’s Savings Bank (now People’s United Bank) and worked in a number of clerical/secretarial positions.  In 1972 Sandra was elected Corporate Secretary.  In this capacity she reported directly to David E.A. Carson, former President of People’s Bank, and was quoted in his biography, Bow Tie Banker.  Sandra drafted agendas and kept minutes for Board meetings, as well as sending notices and handling compensation for Board and committee meetings.  She retired on February 29, 2000 .

Her retirement interests are reading, including two book groups, and yard work.  But Sandra’s many talents couldn’t be limited to reading and gardening.  Her self-described “avocation” of serving on community boards and committees started at Salem Lutheran Church (where she is a life-long member) and broadened to include her first community board in 1974.  She observes, “I have learned a great deal from doing this and have met some really wonderful people.”  And they, meeting her, have met the same!

Sandra’s first engagement with The Council was fifty years ago when she attended the School of Religion to receive training as a Sunday School teacher as a member of Salem, taking a course on the Hebrew Scriptures with Rabbi Shapiro, then at Congregation B’nai Israel.

Sandra’s more recent activity began when friend, co-Salem congregant and Development Committee chair Bonnie McWain recruited her to serve on that committee.  Together they developed The Council’s society of leadership givers called “The Boaz Society” after the Biblical figure of generosity. 

Subsequently, Sandra served on the Planned Giving Committee at the invitation of its former chair, Bruce Dillingham, Esquire; and worked on the conference of that committee in 2001 and 2002 as well as one planned specifically for Salem members in 2004.

Sandra’s most recent success includes her service on the committee for The Council’s spring fundraiser in 2008.  She was part of a team that changed this event from a dinner format to an evening of entertainment at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre.  Her obvious organizational talents and the success of that first event led to her being drafted this year to co-chair the event with — guess who? Bonnie McWain!  By every measure, it was a home run.

Sandra’s modesty in all these endeavors is reflected in her observations, far as they are from any personal glory: “I believe in and support the work of The Council because I know that we can accomplish more in serving the larger community when we work collaboratively with other people and organizations.  I believe that we are all called to use our gifts—whatever they are—to address the needs we see.  By combining our gifts with the gifts of many others we can be much more effective.”

THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES’

2009 LURLINE W. REID AWARD

John S. Santa

John S. Santa is a passionate advocate for second chances.  In 2002, John and his colleagues began the Malta Prison volunteers of Connecticut , currently launching their Prodigal Project to advocate for job opportunities for ex-offenders.  In this role he has been an active participant in the Bridgeport Reentry Collaborative, a voluntary group of agencies serving ex-offenders who want to use a second chance to live a better life.  The creation of the Malta Prison Volunteers of Connecticut was an outgrowth of John ’s active membership in the Order of Malta—a Roman Catholic organization with a 900 year history of men and women working on behalf of sick and poor people throughout the world.  As Dan Braccio , Program Director of The Council’s CO-OP Center program for ex-offenders observes, “ John walks the walk and brings both the passion for reentry work and the credibility of a successful business person to the complex issue of helping ex-offenders successfully return to the community.”

After a 40 year career at Santa Energy, John now serves as vice chair of his family’s regional energy fuel marketing and distribution firm.  His record as a community activist as well as his current commitments to social service is substantial.

Having served on many similar boards in the past, John is currently an active member on the boards of the Pequot Library, the Institute for Catholic Studies at Fairfield University , and the Inner City Foundation for Charity and Education; as well as the boards of four private companies.  On his election tonight he begins his service to the Board of Directors of The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport.  He has headed the inaugural capital campaigns at Lauralton Hall in Milford (a private girl’s high school) and St. Joseph ’s Manor in Trumbull (a senior care facility).

  John serves as Treasurer of the Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors and is a founder of the National Oilheat Research Alliance.  John and his wife, Irene, live in Southport .  They are the proud parents of daughter, Kerstin, of Bridgeport ; and son Devin who lives in Stratford with his lovely wife Beth and their precious daughter, Alyssa Lyn. 

THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES’

2009 COMMUNITY BUILDER AWARD

Valzie Reid Peterkin

Valzie Reid Peterkin was born in Jamaica , the oldest child of an extraordinarily dedicated servant leader and volunteer, Lurline Williams-Reid and Cephas Reid.  She moved to Bridgeport with her family in 1963, where she set about modeling her life and her conduct to closely parallel her mother’s fine example of community involvement.  

Valzie Peterkin is a devoted and active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bridgeport , where she has embraced many leadership roles, including Senior Warden, President of St. John’s Episcopal Church Women (ECW) and the Director of St. John’s Family Center.  Her commitment to improving and building community is clearly demonstrated through her active volunteer leadership in several community organizations.  She spearheads the coordination of five teams of volunteers serving free meals to hungry families every Tuesday through St. John’s Community Supers Program – in 2008, they served over 7,000 meals, plus provided emergency food, through their food pantry program to over 200 families.  She is currently the First Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Diocese of Connecticut’s Episcopal Church Women (ECW), was the ECW delegate to the national Triennial Convention, as well as the Deanery Delegate from St. John’s .  She is the former President of the West Indian American Association of Greater Bridgeport, having recently chaired a major fund-raising event for the organization. Valzie is the Recording Secretary on the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut. She has been a member of The Council’s Board of Directors for 6 years, serving as Secretary. Again, following in her mother’s footsteps, she lends her leadership skills to The Council’s CO-OP Center ’s Advisory Committee.   Most every organization with which Valzie has been involved (The Council of Churches included!) has felt moved to bestow an award upon her, recognizing her for “service, achievement, commitment, support, excellent leadership, dedication, and now “ COMMUNITY BUILDING !”

When asked in a recent interview, how the work of The Council of Churches speaks to her personal values and hopes, Valzie replied, “First, serving people in need as a Council volunteer is one way for me to demonstrate my faith. Second, to see and hear how lives are changed through programs such as CO-OP Center and Janus Center for Youth in Crisis gives me hope.”

Valzie was graduated from Albertus Magnus College , and has been married to Vinton A. Peterkin for 39 years.   They are the parents of two grown children, grandparents of three and now guardians to three daughters of Valzie’s late sister, Lorna D. Walter.  Their son Kirk B. Peterkin, a graduate of Duke University , is married to Eveleena – and their daughter Melissa V. Myrie, a graduate of Howard University , is married to Adrian .

THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES’

2009 FOUNDERS AWARD

Roger L. Perry, CFA

Roger Perry is that quiet, steady presence that is all-business but with a dry sense of humor and a heart of gold.  For twelve years Roger has served as Treasurer of The Council, making lemonade from lemons and getting manna to appear in the wilderness of the non-profit funding world.  He has held a steady hand on our finances with his committee and Council staff.  Together we continue to receive unqualified audits from our auditors and praise from donors for our transparency and professionalism of financial practice.

A native of Fairfield, Roger attended the University of Connecticut earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1966.  He continued his education at American University in Washington, D.C, prior to a call to duty in the Army Reserve.  He received his Chartered Financial Analyst certification in 1974.  Roger spent twelve years in the D.C. area in the banking industry before returning to his roots in Connecticut in 1980.

Roger served as Chief Investment Officer for Citytrust and received the Most Outstanding Employee Award in 1987.  He continued his employ with Chase Manhattan Bank of Connecticut as its CIO prior to joining People’s Bank in 1994.  He currently manages the Wealth Management & Trust business.

The Founder’s Award was created to recognize individuals who embody the spirit of The Council’s original Founders ~ those who in 1945 laid the organizational foundation of The Council to advance its mission and work.  Recipients of the Founders Award have demonstrated over many years a strongly focused dedication to maintaining and strengthening that original foundation. Over the past 12 years, Roger has steered The Council with a steady hand through both calm and turbulent waters. Though Roger will be stepping down from his Board position as Treasurer next year, his dedicated leadership has indeed fortified our foundation.  We give great thanks that he will continue to guide The Council by serving on the newly created Pensions Committee.  

Roger and his wife, Katherine, reside in Shelton and are the proud parents of their three daughters, Laura, Justine and Diana.

THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES’

2009 FAITH & COMMUNITY AWARD

Reverend Marjorie E. Nunes and Summerfield United Methodist Church

Jesus said, “A city set on a hill cannot be hid…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14, 16)  Summerfield United Methodist Church in Bridgeport takes this to heart literally and figuratively.  Located on Clermont Avenue in the Mill Hill section of Bridgeport, the church’s “Light on the Hill” Food Pantry serves thousands of meals to needy neighbors; and the “Light on the Hill” Summer Program offers learning time for urban youth when summer doldrums might tempt less-productive pursuits.

Fueled by a passionate pastor, the Reverend Marjorie Elaine Nunes, Summerfield Church offers a plethora of outreach ministries designed to reach “the last, the least and the lost.”  Included among them are The Council’s own “Project Learn” after-school program, now in its 16th year at the Summerfield center; the Angel Food Network offering affordable meals to the community; a seasonal free Pancake Breakfast for the community; and assistance to people facing, or in, home foreclosure through Divine Mortgage Solutions.

The Rev. Nunes makes her voice heard.  Council staff  know when Marjorie is in the building!  She also makes her message heard beyond the range of voice or Sunday pulpit, where she has built up a vital worshipping community.  The Rev. Nunes hosts “A Thirst for God” and co-hosts “The People’s Forum” on WDJZ radio, in addition to being a regular contributor to the Religion section of the Connecticut Post newspaper.  A member of The Council’s Board of Directors for six years and its Finance Committee for two, Marjorie will now parlay her successful business and client services background into a new role as Assistant Treasurer of The Council.

Marjorie emphatically states, “I am excited and truly blessed to be called to serve the people of God!”  Before her appointment to Summerfield, she served Vanderveer Park and John Wesley United Methodist churches in Brooklyn.  She received both B.A. and M.A. degrees in Economics from Hunter College, City University of New York, where she graduated with honors.  She earned the Master of Divinity degree with distinction from Union Theological Seminary in May, 2000 and is now completing her Doctor of Ministry degree at Hartford Seminary.

The Rev. Nunes’ daughter, Tiffany Elaine Nunes, is a school teacher in the New York City public school system.  Rev. Nunes’ mother, Mrs. Hilda Wisdom, along with Tiffany, lives in the family home in St. Albans, Queens, while Marjorie resides in Bridgeport.