The Mary Hawley Public Service Award Committee recently announced Lee Paulsen has been named the 2025 recipient.

Before announcing that publicly, it took two visits by members of the award committee to deliver the news to this year’s honoree.

“Sherri Baggett and Bronson Hawley visited FAITH to tell me about this and I was out sick,” Paulsen told The Newtown Bee August 15. “They had to come back a second time, and I think they were worried I wouldn’t listen to them,” she added, laughing. Any time the spotlight starts to lean toward Paulsen, she famously tries to sidestep or point it toward others.

Baggett and Hawley made a second visit to 46 Church Hill Road to see Paulsen in late June, and that morning she was there. Volunteers already inside the building stopped their work and gave the floor to their guests.

Paulsen said she knew something was up when the room quieted around her.

“Everyone else seemed to know what was coming,” she said with her signature laugh.

“I never expected this,” she added. “This isn’t why any of us do what we do.”

Paulsen has been a volunteer with the town’s nondenominational food pantry since day one. Founded in June 1983 in the basement of the former St John’s Episcopal Church and now housed at St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, FAITH’s acronym stands for Food Assistance, Immediate Temporary Help.

Paulsen worked alongside the Reverend Joan Horwitt when the pantry was launched, and has served as its president for more years than she’s willing to count.

She is clearly dedicated to the organization, and helping others, and for that reason was among those nominated for this year’s honor.

The award, named in honor of Newtown’s long celebrated benefactress, was established to recognize an individual who, through lengthy and exceptional public service to Newtown, best represents the selfless commitment and spirit of its namesake. Former longtime resident Gordon Williams was the first honoree of The Mary Hawley Public Service Award.

Paulsen and her husband Chuck have lived in Newtown since 1972. They have been married more than 60 years, raised their son and daughter here, and now enjoy being grandparents in addition to parents and friends to generations of others.

For decades, Paulsen has been a pillar of support for countless individuals and families in need. She is quick to point out the fully volunteer organization is a group effort, however.

“It’s not one person, it’s a group of people,” Paulsen said last week. “There are many people who make that place work, many who never receive any publicity.”

The need for a food pantry in Newtown is as strong today as it was at the time of its founding 42 years ago. During a Community Conversation in town just a few weeks ago, State Treasurer Erick Russell seemed to surprise some in the audience when he said half the children in Connecticut are being born at or below the poverty level.

“There are children born into this program from all 169 communities in Connecticut,” he confirmed July 28. “Poverty isn’t always what you think it looks like.

“It’s startling, and it’s not just a Connecticut problem,” Russell added.

Paulsen is among those who committed to helping those who need a hand putting food on their table. FAITH Food Pantry volunteers do this with very few questions asked. Those who seek help from the 501(c)(3) nonprofit must only show they live in town with two forms of ID. No financial information is required.

“Most people usually have a tough enough time asking for help,” Paulsen has said. “We’re not there to judge or make things harder for them. We only require Newtown residency.”

Paulsen has seen men and women of all ages and backgrounds show up at the pantry.

“Anybody who thinks it couldn’t happen to them tomorrow is crazy,” she said last week. “So many people are so close to being in trouble. We’re here to help if and when that happens.”

FAITH reportedly served nearly 93,000 meals in 2024. The pantry also provides personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and even some pet supplies.

In addition to her work with FAITH, Paulsen has served her community in other capacities. From 1976 to 1979, she was a dedicated member and project co-chair of Newtown Women Jaycees, contributing to a range of community service activities. She also led The Newtown Fund as president from 2004 to 2006, providing emergency relief to residents in need.

Beyond her volunteer work, Paulsen is a special needs educator.

The Mary Hawley Public Service Award Committee said Paulsen’s personal and professional life “is a testament to her compassion and selflessness.”

As Monsignor Robert Weiss put it during a 2023 event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of FAITH’s founding and its volunteers, “Every town needs a Lee Paulsen.”

Public Celebration Planned

The public is invited to join the awards committee on Friday, September 5, at 5 pm, when Paulsen is formally presented The 2025 Mary Hawley Public Service Award.

During the ceremony, Paulsen will receive the award, have her name added to the plaque in the town hall’s Mary Hawley Room, and name a beneficiary for the $1,000 contribution provided by Newtown Savings Bank.

Light refreshments and a reception will follow.

Admission is free, but reservations are requested and available by contacting Newtown Savings Bank Vice President-Community Relations Officer Julia Douglas at 203-426-4440 extension 3042 or community@nsbonline.com.

The Mary Hawley Public Service award was established in 2023 in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the founding of The Society of the Hawley Family, which Mary co-founded with Samuel Hawley.

In speaking with The Newtown Bee in September 2023, Samuel’s grandson Bronson Hawley said his distant relative Mary Hawley “had no brothers or sisters. She had no children. From what we know, she had few, if any close friends.

“What she did have was a love for Newtown. For all that she gave the town, nothing bears her name. Now it will. The Mary Hawley Public Service Award will serve as an enduring tribute to this extraordinary woman, while honoring a current or former resident who has made exceptional contributions to Newtown through selfless volunteer service.”

Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.