News Briefs

Veteran’s Road Project Seeking Donations

Veteran’s Road of Honor Project. Flags fly starting Memorial Day to Veterans Day. All supported by grateful Winthrop Citizens. Land of the Free because of the Brave! Checks can be made payable to American Legion Post 146. Mail to Sheryl Howard, 5 Emerson Rd, Winthrop, MA 02152.

Mary Turco Receives Awards from State OSDIA

In addition to honoring Winthrop Police Officer Robert Jaworski with the “Law Enforcement Award,” the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA) presented Mary Turco with an education scholarship at the May 5th Mass Education & Law Awards (MELA) luncheon at the Quincy Sons of Italy Lodge.  Mary was one of 29 high school seniors presented with education awards at this event.  Mary’s scholarship was sponsored by Winthrop Mixed Lodge #2057 OSDIA.

Andrew Biggio, another Winthrop resident, was not available to receive his “Public Service Award,” as he was away on veterans’ business.  Andrew was cited for his work with war veterans ranging from WWII to present day.  He is the grandson of Andrew Biggio who fought and died in WWII and died in battle at age 19.  Andrew has since created “The Wounded Warriors” and is a police officer in the City of Boston.  He continues to help veterans with housing and other essentials.

Speaker of the House Ron Mariano, recipient of the “Justice Award,” was also introduced by OSDIA Social Justice Commissioner Atty. Jeffrey Turco.  Turco outlined Mariano’s long history of legislative accomplishments in health care, education, housing, transportation, and other key public access programs.

Thanks to the Social Justice Commission of the State OSDIA for the Scholarship, Justice, Law Enforcement, and Public Service Awards to its worthy recipients.

Officer Robert Jaworski Receives “Law Enforcement Award” from State OSDIA

The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA) honored Winthrop Police Officer Robert J. (“Bubba”) Jaworski with “The Law Enforcement Award” at the annual Mass Education & Law Awards (MELA) luncheon held on May 5th at the Quincy Sons of Italy Lodge.  OSDIA’s Social Justice Commission, headed up by Atty. Jeffrey Turco, oversaw the distribution of it’s Justice, Law Enforcement, and Public Service Awards.

Jaworski was especially cited for his February 20th saving of a choking baby after leaving a regularly scheduled CPR renewal training.  This event made Boston newspaper and television news and was highlighted in the 02-22-24 “Winthrop Sun Transcript” as “Winthrop police officer assists choking infant.”

This life-saving event called attention to Jaworski’s dedicated, experienced 32 year career with the Winthrop Police Department.  Chief John Goodwin briefly attended the ceremony to congratulate his Officer but needed to leave early.

Noteworthy was Officer Jaworski’s response to receiving the “Law Enforcement Award,” as he accepted it on behalf of Winthrop’s larger team and law enforcement unit.  He said, “This is a wonderful surprise.  Thank you, but it’s so nice to have people living in Winthrop who pay attention to our police department.

EBNHC CEO Honored with Project Bread’s Patrick Hughes Award for Social Justice at 56th Annual Walk for Hunger

More than 3,500 participants lined the Boston Common to take part in Project Breads 56th annual Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Hunger and healthcare champion, Greg Wilmot, President and CEO of East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC) was honored with the Patrick Hughes Award for Social Justice, named for the late event founder who, 56 years ago, created the Walk for Hunger to inspire action for food justice.

Project Bread, the leading statewide food security organization in Massachusetts, selected Wilmot for the award due to his commitment to addressing food insecurity as a social justice issue and the work of EBNHC, the state’s largest community-based primary care provider in Massachusetts, to increase access to nutritional foods in the communities it serves.

Wilmot kicked off the 3-mile walk by participating in the opening ceremony with Project Bread President & CEO Erin McAleer, who thanked walk participants for helping those facing food insecurity and presented Greg with the Patrick Hughes Award for Social Justice.

“As a longtime participant in this walk, this is a special moment for me. I am honored to carry on the legacy of Patrick Hughes, who believed that people united for a common purpose can inspire change,” said Greg Wilmot, President and CEO of East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. “I am proud of EBNHC’s work to address food insecurity and thankful to have innovative partners like Project Bread who share our belief that access to healthy and nutritious food is not only a right, but essential for the health and wellbeing of our patients and our community.”

This year, the event aims to bring in $1.3 million to fight food insecurity statewide.