Inaugural Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation Award Honors Branford Resident

BRANFORD, CT — The Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation celebrates the late TV anchor and Branford resident D’Ascenzo with its inaugural Human Spirit Award dinner.

D’Ascenzo was a beloved anchor at WFSB Channel 3 for 33 years until her sudden death on December 7, 2019. Read that story here.

The awards dinner recognizes those who have exemplified her legacy of openness, courage, and kindness in their lives. The event pays tribute to individuals and organizations that inspire others to "make a difference in their communities and in our world," organizers said. The hope is to inspire others to make a difference as well.

And one of the five awardees is Lesley Bennett of Branford.

This inaugural event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Hartford Marriott Downtown, 200 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford. Proceeds will benefit the Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that was established to continue the legacy of love and kindness of the beloved longtime broadcaster by raising funds and donating them to a wide variety of entities. Tickets for the dinner are $150 per person and are available now at

The evening's masters of ceremonies will be the Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation’s president Dennis House of WTNH-TV 8 and Foundation vice president Kara Sundlun of WFSB-TV 3, among others. The event will also feature a wide variety of auction and raffle prizes.

Human Spirit Award honorees

Among the five Human Spirit Award honorees is Lesley Bennett of Branford: "An inspirational advocate for the rare disease community, Lesley has worked with families who have sought medical attention for their children. Her advocacy led to the formation of a State Rare Disease Council, in an effort to put these diseases on a public website where the information can be accessed. This Council will help to build public awareness, education, and training, and expand available resources."

Other honorees are:

Bristol Police Department – While grieving the deaths of their fellow officers and the concern for the well-being of one of their own, the members of the Bristol, Conn. Police Department entered their cars for their shifts, and bravely returned to the streets to protect and defend their community, knowing all too well that they could face the same fate. Continuing on was an insurmountable physical and emotional challenge that they bravely met, and their courage elevated the residents in their city and all of Connecticut.

Jalyn Hunter – An everyday Warrior in our eyes, Jalyn suddenly became a quadriplegic in April 2019 at age 16, due to sepsis after a ruptured appendix. Today, this dynamic and determined young lady is a student at Southern Connecticut State University and works at Home Depot. She demonstrates daily the “can do” attitude that resonates with everyone she meets.

Dr. William Petit, Jr. – The tragic and senseless murders of Dr. Petit’s wife, Jennifer Lynn Hawke-Petit, and daughters, Hayley and Michaela, led to the formation of the Petit Family Foundation, that focuses on providing help to educate young people (especially in the sciences), supporting those with chronic illnesses, and protecting those affected by violence. Working with many volunteers from across the state, Bill Petit and his organization raise funds that touch the lives of more and more people every year.

Dave Stevens – Dave may be the "Greatest Sports Story" never heard! Born without legs, he was a three-sport athlete in high school in Arizona and became the only legless college football (Augsburg University) and Minor League Baseball player (St. Paul Saints) in College and Pro Sports history. Dave worked in TV for over 40 years, winning seven Sports Emmy's during his 20 years at ESPN, and he appears in the Netflix movie, "The Saint of Second Chances." A motivational speaker, father of three sons, professor and philanthropist, Dave’s courage helps him to positively move through life without concern for any perceived limitations, while helping others to find their potential.

The first-ever Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation Kindness Award will be bestowed posthumously to Dan Nolan. Throughout his life, Dan Nolan exemplified a kind and giving spirit, whether with children and families in Afghanistan and Iraq, or with friends in need here in Connecticut. Dan is remembered as a person who was passionate about making a positive impact in any way that he could. A U.S. Army veteran, Dan joined the military upon graduation from Windsor High School and served in the Connecticut National Guard for 38 years. He was a lifelong member of the Irish American Home Society in Glastonbury and a second-generation firefighter, following in the footsteps of his father, joining the Hartford Fire Department in 1984. He was one of the many local firefighters who served at Ground Zero at the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attack. Like Denise D’Ascenzo, Dan passed unexpectedly this past March 1st, and he is dearly missed.

About The Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation

Denise D’Ascenzo was a beloved anchor at WFSB Channel 3 for 33 years until her sudden death on December 7, 2019. At the time, she was the longest serving news anchor at any single Connecticut television station and an Emmy-award winning journalist many times over. Soon after her passing, many of her family, friends and co-workers created a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation in Denise’s name. Its mission is to continue her legacy of love and kindness by supporting advances in medicine and health, promoting responsibility in the media, and assisting those facing physical and mental challenges.

The volunteer Board raises funds through events that include its golf tournaments, the annual springtime Walk to Fight Rare Diseases at Quinnipiac University, and this signature Human Spirit Awards Dinner. Since its establishment in early 2020, the Foundation has raised funds and made numerous donations to community organizations and causes that include Hartford HealthCare nursing staff, the Connecticut Food Bank, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), The ALS Association, the Yale New Haven Children's Hospital’s Toy Closet Program, Brian’s Hope, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Down’s Syndrome Association, Ronald McDonald House, Tiny Miracles Foundation, Dress for Success, Ability Media, Circle of Care, Andrew’s Ohana Foundation, Kenway’s Cause Animal Rescue, Connecticut Children’s Foundation, Bristol Adult Resource Center, In Focus, Hartford Hospital Auxiliary, and Mary’s Place, A Center for Grieving Children and Families – all made possible by corporate and community support and participation in our events, or through telethons hosted by WFSB-TV 3.

Tickets for the Saturday, November 9th dinner at the Hartford Marriott Downtown are $150 per person and are available now at www.TheDeniseFoundation.com For more information, contact David Condon at 203-231-2539 or david.condon@dnsassociates.com

For information about The Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.TheDeniseFoundation.com or The Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation, P.O. Box 444, Branford, CT 06405.

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