Red Cross honors borough man

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Dan Whitman

NAUGATUCK — Dan Whitman of Naugatuck was recently honored as one of the American Red Cross’s Community Heroes of Western Connecticut.

Whitman was among 10 people honored at a banquet March 8 in Danbury and one of two people to receive the Community Impact Award.

Whitman has contributed to the community through various acts of kindness. For more than four years, Whitman has given gifts of time, money, and supplies to Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, a domestic violence shelter.

“Dan is a great ambassador. … This past year Dan set up a booth at car shows and other events. He would pass out information about Safe Haven and ask for local support. He raised over $1,200 with this venture,” wrote Safe Haven Executive Director Peggy Panagrossi in her nomination letter.

Among Whitman’s other contribution are playing Santa Claus during Christmas and helping out the St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury. Most recently, Whitman raised $2,500 to help an Oakville woman whose son was born with spinal muscular atrophy buy a specially equipped van.