SHELLEY GULLOTTI (left) nominated her neighbor, Angela Grillo, for the CIT’s Good Neighbor Award. (Courtesy Photo)

 

NORTH READING — The North Reading Community Impact Team (CIT) recently presented three North Reading residents with the 2021 Good Neighbor Award.

Nominations were accepted earlier in the fall and selected by the CIT Advisory Team. “More than ever, we wanted to recognize people in the community who are going beyond to help people out,” explained CIT member Amy Luckiewicz.

Penny Esposito

Penny Esposito was selected for her work with the Christian Community Service (CCS) and its North Reading Food Pantry. Her nomination read in part, “Penny has organized and delivered holiday meals to senior citizens, veterans, and other who would be alone in their homes. She also has spent hundreds of hours volunteering to feed the most vulnerable in our community.”

 

EDDIE MCNEIL (fourth from right), with his parents, members of the CIT, the NRPD and NRFD, was presented his Good Neighbor star award for coming to the aid of an injured person at Ipswich River Park. (Courtesy Photo)

 

Eddie McNeil

North Reading High School senior Eddie McNeil was nominated for his fast thinking last summer at Ipswich River Park during an emergency. In June, a couple was walking their dog when the husband fell and broke his ankle. Eddie was nearby playing basketball and found the couple when he heard the calls for help.

The author of McNeil’s nomination added: “He quickly responded and helped with the couple’s dog. He stayed throughout the entirety of the situation. Eddie helped the woman get their dog to the car so she could meet her husband at the hospital.”

 

PENNY ESPOSITO (holding bouquet of flowers) is surrounded by volunteers from the North Reading Food Pantry. She received her CIT Good Neighbor Award for donating hundreds of hours of her time helping the town’s most vulnerable residents. (Courtesy Photo)

 

Angela Grillo

This year’s third nominee, Angela Grillo, was selected for helping her neighbor during a high-stress time. Earlier this year, her neighbor, Shelley Gullotti, suffered a medical event. Angela organized the neighborhood to bring Shelley’s family dinner, gift cards and even take care of her lawn. Shelley wrote: “Angela’s heart does not change. She is one of the most special people I know and trust!”

The Good Neighbor award is offered every other year, and this year marks the fifth time that the CIT has sponsored the recognition.

Due to COVID, the annual breakfast to honor recipients will be postponed until 2022. However, members of the CIT were thrilled to present the star awards to each recipient in person. “Please join us in congratulating the 2021 recipients!” added Luckiewicz.