|
ARTHUR B. POOLE
AWARD
2001 Honoree
DONALD
R. WILKINS
He's "Harwie"
the lion and even Santa sometimes as well. He ran a
youth group (Pilgrim Fellowship) at the Harwinton Congregational
Church back in the 60's; he volunteers for the Harwinton
Agricultural Society including the annual Harwinton
Fair.
He's a past director of the Bronc Callahan Community
Fund, a lifetime member of the Harwinton Historical
Society, a member of the HArwinton Lions Club and the
American Legion. The Lions have named him Lion of the
Year. He was even Captain of the Harwinton Police Department
back in the 1950's.
Wilkins, a retired electrician, Helps decorate the towns
Christmas Tree each year and also works on maintenance
projects for both the Harwinton Congregational Church
and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
Maybe, most importantly, Don is the Deputy Chief of
the Harwinton Fire Police and a former Firefighter.
There are four radios in his vehicle, emergency lights
on top and a scanner in his home.
"Don represents the true spirit of volunteerism.
He's always willing to lend a helping hand without seeking
personal recognition. That's what it's all about"
said Pete Salwocki, a member of the Award committee.
Wilkins was born in New Milford and attended the old
North School in Torrington for a couple of months. But
he's been a Harwinton resident since 1936. He attended
Harwinton's only two-room schoolhouse, the Orchard Hill
School and graduated from the Torrington High School.
Wilkins served in the Coast Guard during the Korean
War.
Wilkins worked for Du-All Electric in Torrington for
19 years and Dube Electric in Waterbury for about 20
years where he retired from 8 years ago.
"It's fun doing Howie. I've been in town a long
time. I know a lot of people and also a lot about them,"
Wilkins said.
He and his wife Barbara Brown Wilkins. raised six children.
They now have nine grandchildren. "I do it for
my own physical and mental well being," Wilkins
said of his volunteerism.
For Photos
Soures:
Harwinton Historical Society Scrapbook
Republican American Newspaper
|
