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2016 Volunteers of the Year

It is a tradition for the Commodore Hull Thanksgiving Day 5K committee to recognize some of its volunteers each year for their service to the race, and this year, we have four great ones.

Laura Wilson was born in Trumbull and has lived in Shelton for 20 years with husband and crew member Tom. Laura has been with us every year doing a variety of duties: registration, packet pick up, raffle, food and has even sung our national anthem. She is a UCONN graduate and a Registered Dietitian at the Hospital of St. Raphael in New Haven. Laura loves singing, music and walking the trails in Shelton with her dog Gypsy. Her three children Sean, Jeffrey and Colleen are also 5K volunteers and she even has her brother Tim Falanga as a volunteer directing the 5K parking. We give a big Commodore Hull Thank You, Laura, for your support and for sharing Tom with us over 15 years.

Charlie Wilson Jr. lives in Shelton with wife Mary and has three children, Timothy, James ( a 5K volunteer) and Katherine. Charlie graduated from Central Connecticut State University and is President of Wilson Agency, Inc., a 15 year sponsor of the 5K. He is active in our community as President of The Exchange Club, coaching youth sports and a volunteer at St. Lawrence parish. We thank Charlie for manning the video camera and filming and announcing the 5K as well as assisting in the raffle and race day pick-up. Charlie is a low handicap golfer and he and James a top father-son team at Bronson Country Club. Thank you, Charlie, for being part of the crew and, like your dad, giving back so much to the community.

Mike Wardell - part of Pam Petro’s great finish line/on course crew, Mike has been awesome and you have seen him over the years at the finish line moving runners and collecting chips, yes, in the old days, and recently at the Pavilion getting runners safely through that busy area. Mike grew up in Milford and lives in Shelton with wife Gloria and three children Joseph, Alexa ( runs every year) and Elise ( a great youth volunteer). Mike has an undergrad degree from U. of Bridgeport and a Masters in Manufacturing Engineering from Boston University. He is a Senior Project Engineer at Sikorsky. We appreciate your enthusiastic help to the crew and to all the runners, Mike. Mike always looks forward to cheering on Alexa and brother-in-law Paul Gaetano in the 5K.

Aleta Miner - one thing that has been constant in the 15 years of the 5K has been a cheerful and helpful Aleta being at the Market at 6:15 AM race day morning ready to help in any capacity. You know her at pick-up, at the raffle, at clean-up and just being a busy volunteer all morning. She is a Shelton native and a graduate of Katherine Gibbs and Teikyo University with two daughters Alison and Kathren. She works with the Shelton Economic Development Corporation and you might see some of her photos as she is also an Associate Editor of the popular Shelton Life. Active in our community, Aleta also serves on the Library Board, Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club and the Yale Advisory Board for Community Rowing. Yes, it is no surprise that she is also being honored this year as a Gold Key award winner and we are proud to have her as a Commodore Hull 5K Volunteer of the Year. Thanks, Aleta, for making our 5K a wonderful event!


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