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John Whalen Honored by Winsted Elks
 | | (L-R) Lodge Secretary Tim Angell, Volunteer Ambulance President John Whalen, and Exalted Ruler Tom Wright |
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On Saturday, March 1, during the annual Winsted Volunteer Ambulance Association Banquet, Winsted Elks lodge #844 Exalted Ruler Tom Wright, with lodge Secretary Tim Angell, presented a check in the amount of $900 to Ambulance President John Whalen for the purchase of two portable suction units. "We heard that one of the portable suction units in the ambulance broke after it was used, and with both units being 20 years old, we felt it was in the best interest to donate this year's charitable ENF funds to the local ambulance association to replace both 20-year-old suction units with new, more reliable units," stated Debbie Angell, Ambulance Association member and Winsted Elk.
Following the check presentation, the Winsted Elks surprised John Whalen with a special recognition, the Elks Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award. He was honored for his 21 continuous years of volunteer service to the community on the ambulance squad, as well as his work with many other volunteer organizations.
The evening began as a difficult event for Mr. Whalen. As president of the association, it was his duty to introduce the new squad members who joined in 2002 and then read aloud the names of three members who passed during the year; they included his wife, Carol. There was a moment of silence for all three. A pleasant surprise then came for John, as he was escorted to his table and met up with his family. In attendance were daughter Cathy and her fiancé, Paul, along with twin sisters Carol and Coral and their husbands. John's family was invited to witness his award presentation and to support him for his years of volunteer service to the community. John was speechless!
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