Dozens of community members gathered in Edmond Town Hall’s Alexandria Room to celebrate Lee Paulsen for receiving the Mary Hawley Public Service Award on Friday, September 5.

Before the event started, Paulsen stood outside the Alexandria Room and gave big hugs to family and friends as they arrived. Whether they traveled from near or far, everyone could not have been more excited to support Paulsen on her special day.

Paulsen’s husband, Chuck, sat in the front row alongside their children, children’s spouses, and grandchildren. Inaugural Mary Hawley Public Service Award recipient Gordon Williams also sat in the front row with his wife, Lina.

The rest of the crowd was filled with Paulsen’s fellow FAITH Food Pantry volunteers. Each of them wore a blue shirt with the charity’s name.

Also in the audience were First Selectman Jeff Capeci, State Senator Tony Hwang, and State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and Marty Foncello.

Maureen Crick Owen, a member of the Mary Hawley Service Award Committee, took the stage and thanked everyone for being there.

She said the award is named after Newtown benefactress Mary Hawley, who was single-handedly responsible for iconic local landmarks such as C.H. Booth Library, Edmond Town Hall, Hawley Elementary School, and more.

The Mary Hawley Public Service Award carries on her legacy, promoting volunteerism by recognizing an individual for their continuous commitment to Newtown and its community.

Award Committee member Bronson Hawley, who is a distant relative of Mary, detailed the history of the award.

When the Society of the Hawley Family celebrated its 100th anniversary in September 2023, its members realized that, for everything Mary did, nothing bears her name directly.

“All of it was named after other people, but we wanted a real tribute to her selfless, humble nature,” Bronson said.

He shared this over lunch to Newtown Savings Bank President Ken Weinstein, who suggested they create an award honoring Mary. It was at that moment everything fell into place.

Bronson and Weinstein assembled an Awards Committee consisting of them, Sherri Smith Baggett, Julia Douglas, and Dan Rosenthal.

“Volunteerism is the backbone of the nonprofit world,” Bronson said. “And so we’re here to honor Mary and also to honor a person who has made a nonprofit ... and all she has done for this incredible town.”

A Lifeline

Terry Ferris, who has volunteered with FAITH Food Pantry for almost nine years, took the stage next. As she started to speak, she turned to Paulsen and smiled.

“When I was asked to introduce Paulsen [for the ceremony], I panicked just a little bit. But I knew that my speech would write itself, because look who’s next to me,” Ferris said.

She continued by saying Paulsen’s vision, compassion, and unwavering dedication have made such an incredible impact on Newtown.

Paulsen has lived in Newtown with her husband since 1972. She has volunteered with FAITH since its founding in June 1983, when it was located in the basement of the former St John’s Episcopal Church.

Reverend Joan Horwitt saw how many families in town needed assistance or struggled to afford groceries and asked Paulsen to spearhead the mission, to which she said yes.

On FAITH’s first day, they were able to serve a few meals. Fast forward 42 years later and the nondenominational food pantry served 92,694 meals in 2024 alone.

Paulsen is still involved with FAITH, serving as its president for many years and overseeing its location change to St Rose of Lima Church.

“What began as a simple desire to help a neighbor back in 1983 has grown into a lifeline for countless Newtown individuals and families,” Ferris said.

She added that, if anyone spends time with Paulsen, they will know she “doesn’t do what she does for a thank you.” When she quoted Paulsen for always saying, “it’s not me, it’s my volunteers,” Paulsen nodded and said she is right, which got several laughs from the crowd.

Paulsen will answer client calls seven days a week, whether they are requesting an appointment or just need someone to talk to. She and FAITH Vice President Jill LeBlanc also work closely with Newtown Social Services to make sure no one slips through the cracks and goes to bed hungry.

It is through these acts of kindness that Ferris said FAITH is not just a food pantry, but a symbol of hope for the community.

“Today, we honor the meals that have been shared, the burdens have been eased, and the lives that have been touched all because Paulsen and Horwitt chose to care,” Ferris said.

A “Lucky Woman”

Before she spoke, Paulsen looked around the room with a big smile on her face.

“Let me start by saying ... that I am the luckiest woman on Earth today,” Paulsen said.

She had a lot of people she wanted to thank, among them the Awards Committee and her children for traveling all this way to see her.

Among the many she named, Paulsen expressed her utmost gratitude to her husband for always sticking by her and helping at a moment’s notice.

Paulsen called Newtown a phenomenal place to live, saying that people in the community do “so much good” for FAITH. From one can of food to a donation of ten dollars, Paulsen said they are rich with kindness and great people.

Much like Newtown, Paulsen said she is rich with family and friends.

“I just would like to say thank you to the people that have been so good to us, the people who have given us meat, milk, rolls, cases of toilet paper,” Paulsen said. “We just have great people in this town. We are so lucky. FAITH is so lucky.”

She pointed out to her fellow volunteers in the crowd and called them the greatest volunteers in town.

“I love all of you, I really do. Thank you,” Paulsen said.

A Celebration

Capeci, Hwang, Bolinsky, and Foncello took the stage next. Capeci spoke first, saying that they come together not just to celebrate the spirit of service that defines Newtown, but to honor Paulsen for her dedication to the community.

He said Paulsen’s dedication extends beyond FAITH, from her early years pioneering community service in Newtown Women’s Jaycees to her leadership as the president of The Newtown Fund, ensuring emergency relief during times of need.

“In receiving the reward, Paulsen reminds us that faith and community service are powered by a collective compassion,” Capeci said. “As Monsignor Robert Weiss ... once said, ‘Every town needs a Lee Paulsen.’”

He then presented her the 2025 Mary Hawley Public Service Award, adding that her name will be added to the plaque in the town hall’s Mary Hawley Room.

Foncello told Paulsen that Newtown and all of the United States needs many more people like her.

“We’re grateful for everything you’ve done,” Foncello said. “God bless you for all that you’ve done.”

Hwang said that people need to be reminded of Paulsen’s favorite phrase, “But for the grace of God, go I.”

He continued, “And I think [Paulsen] has said that repeatedly to remind all of us that the challenges and struggles of our neighbors could happen to any of us ... And what you have shown from that is a sense of kindness, compassion, and love.”

Hwang said the award recognized her team and volunteers, but also the broader Sandy Hook and Newtown community for their generosity.

“I’ll always remember that phrase because any one of us could be in a situation of struggle and challenge. But because we have people that care, they are never, ever alone,” Hwang said.

Bolinsky said it is with his incredible respect that he presents Paulsen with present Paulsen with a General Assembly Official Citation for her community service. He said Paulsen is recognized for her exceptional public service, calling her the heart and soul bolstering countless families in need for decades.

Crick Owen said that volunteers help others not out of financial gain, but out of feelings of social responsibility and desire to give back. Someone’s time and effort spent volunteering for their community, she added, create a ripple effect of hope and kindness.

As part of the award, Newtown Savings Bank sponsored a $1,000 cash prize to be donated to the organization of Paulsen’s choice.

Much like Williams before her, Paulsen decided to split her reward four ways. Weinstein announced donations of $250 would be made to FAITH, Children’s Adventure Center, Newtown Senior Center, and Sandy Hook Fire and Rescue.

Paulsen could not help but smile from the moment the ceremony started. She was still smiling by the time it finished.

“I’m just so happy,” Paulsen told The Newtown Bee.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.