Club chooses McPadden for award

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Kathy McPadden
Kathy McPadden

NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck Rotary Club will honor Kathy McPadden with this year’s Paul Harris Award.

McPadden, a lifelong Naugatuck resident, will be recognized at the club’s Annual Foundation Dinner Nov. 12.

The award is given out each year to someone who has given their time and talents to the community of Naugatuck.

Rotary Club President Cathie Mauritz said McPadden was chosen because she exemplifies and personifies what the Paul Harris Award is all about.

“She is someone who puts service above self,” Mauritz said.

McPadden, who works as the vice president of human resources at Ion Bank, said she was humbled to win the award.

“That the Rotary sees what I do as important to our community is overwhelming. It’s very humbling. When they called me I just had tears in my eyes because it’s such a great honor,” McPadden said.

For McPadden volunteering is more than what she does, it is who she is.

“I was born and raised in Naugatuck and work in Naugatuck. I feel it’s part of who I am to help others,” McPadden said.

McPadden has volunteered for the United Way of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls for over 30 years. She currently serves on the United Way’s Board of Directors as vice president.
Before getting involved with the United Way, McPadden said, she didn’t understand what the organization did for the community.

“I was donating but I didn’t understand what the charity did,” McPadden said.

McPadden realized she wanted to volunteer her time for the organization after learning more about the United Way.

“From then on I’ve been involved in the United Way,” McPadden said.

McPadden is also the secretary of Jane Doe No More’s Board of Directors and the vice president of Are You Dense?, a breast wellness organization.

McPadden said she became part of these organizations because she is passionate about their causes.

Mauritz said McPadden caught the club’s attention because her commitment to the borough is so broad.

“She is totally committed to Naugatuck community,” Mauritz said. “She’s not a token member but a leader in each organization that she’s part of.”

Mauritz said the club is committed to helping the community and it relies on volunteers like McPadden.

“She is the epitome of what we are looking for,” Mauritz said. “She is the example of what we’d like others to follow.”

Although she may be busy McPadden said she will always make time in her life to volunteer and help others.

“There should be enough inside of you to give others. There are always those worse off, so why not give of your time. Your time is precious, but you should always be able to make time for others,” McPadden said.

The dinner is Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Crystal Room, 98 School St. The cost is $40 per person and reservations can be made by contacting Kimberly Ostuno at (203) 720-3846 or kostuno@sarracco.com.