Borough-based company steps up for wounded soldier

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CHESHIRE — Harbor Petroleum of New England, Inc. helped raise more than $17,000 in honor of 19-year-old Josh Budd, a local soldier recently injured in active duty overseas.

Budd, a Cheshire native, lost a leg and suffered several other serious injuries when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan on July 18. In his three months of active duty, Budd was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in a previous IED attack and was recently nominated for the Medal of Valor for his actions in providing care to fellow injured soldiers while under heavy gunfire from insurgents, according to a prepared release.

A benefit was held Sept. 11 for The Josh Budd Wounded War Vet Fund at the Veterans of Foreign Wars building in Prospect.

Leading up to the benefit, John Baker, CEO of the Naugatuck-based Harbor Petroleum, and his wife, Margaret worked with neighbor Danielle Doran to recruit neighbors and members of the community to attend the event and make donations. Harbor Petroleum and its employees, along with its affiliated Retailers across Connecticut, donated gift cards, cash, and raffle prizes. The event drew more than 800 local residents.

“At only 19 years old, Josh has already done so much to make our community and our country proud,” said Baker in a prepared release. “Everyone at Harbor Petroleum was touched by not only Josh’s resilience and strength, but also by the way our community rallied around him and his family in their time of need. We are honored to do our part to help Josh and his family continue to recover and plan for his future.”

Donations can be sent to The Josh Budd Wounded War Vet Fund, c/o The Naugatuck Savings Bank, 218 Maple Ave., Cheshire, CT 06410, or via PayPal to the account name: buddsbuddies@cox.net.