Goggins to receive Caring Award

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Sue and Jim Goggin are the 2015 recipients of the United Way of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls’ Mary H. Connolly Community Caring Award. –LUKE MARSHALL
Sue and Jim Goggin are the 2015 recipients of the United Way of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls’ Mary H. Connolly Community Caring Award. –LUKE MARSHALL

NAUGATUCK — A borough couple is carrying on Mary H. Connolly’s tradition of caring for the community.

Jim and Sue Goggin are the United Way of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls’ 2015 Mary H. Connolly Community Caring Award recipients.

The award is presented annually to recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding support to the United Way and the entire community and who have set the standard for service to the community.

“Jim and Susan are truly a pleasure to work with. We are grateful for their support of the not only our agency but the community at large. They are the perfect example of true volunteerism not needing the accolades just enjoying the opportunity to help. A role model for us to follow,” United Way Executive Director Lisa Shappy said.

The Goggins have four children, Jimmy, Rachel, Matthew and Brian. While family is their top priority, the Goggins have found plenty of time to volunteer in the community.

Their volunteering resume includes many school-based organizations. The Goggins have volunteered as members and officers of parent groups in multiple schools including Maple Hill and Central Avenue elementary schools, Cross Street Intermediate School, City Hill Middle School, and Naugatuck High School.

They have also volunteered in a number of capacities for many local sports and youth recreation groups, including the Thunderfish, Naugatuck Youth Soccer, the Naugatuck High School Swim Team Booster Club, Naugatuck Teen Theater, NHS Grad Night, and Little Pal Basketball. Jim Goggin as also coached in the Naugatuck Basketball League for the past 10 years.

In addition to their work with youth, the Goggins are race organizers for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Road Race and Festival and serve as co-chairs for the Sao Paio Road Race.

Jim Goggin, who works as the borough’s tax collector, and Sue Goggin, who works as a teacher in the Naugatuck school system, both said they are honored to receive the award.

Jim Goggin said he first met the Connellys has a child growing up in Naugatuck.

“My wife and I are very honored to receive an award in their name because I know the hard work and dedication they gave back to their community. An award in their name is very much an honor,” Jim Goggin said.

Jim Goggin, a Naugatuck native, said he volunteers because that was how he was raised.

“I grew up here. My parents volunteered. It’s just how I was brought up,” Jim Goggin said. “I enjoy it.”

The Goggins will be honored during the United Way’s Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner March 26 at The Crystal Room, 98 School St. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 each. For more information or to RSVP, call the United Way at (203) 729-1564.