Longtime Boys & Girls Club Of Greenwich Employee Earns Prestigious Award

GREENWICH, CT — Don Palmer, a longtime employee with the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, was recently honored with a prestigious award.

The club announced that Palmer was the recipient of the Goodwins, Hammersley & Bushnell Award from the Boys & Girls Club of America at the organization's recent Northeast Annual Conference event.

This distinguished award celebrates the innovative spirit of the four women who founded the Boys & Girls Club movement in 1860 — Mary Goodwin, Alice Goodwin, Elizabeth Hammersley, and Louisa Bushnell — whose groundbreaking vision created a positive place for young people to learn, grow, and thrive. The award recognizes individuals who carry that legacy forward through leadership, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to youth development.

Palmer has been a cornerstone of the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich for 33 years, "leading with heart, vision, and a deep dedication to helping young people reach their full potential," the club said in an announcement.

Through his decades of service, Palmer has impacted thousands of Greenwich youth, fostering a culture of mentorship, learning, and belonging that continues to shape lives every day.

"I love what I do because it’s all about the kids," said Palmer in a news release. "Every day I come to work, I get to see the difference we’re making in their lives. There’s nothing more rewarding than that."

BGCG CEO Cristina Vittoria praised Palmer’s leadership and lifelong dedication.

"Don is an extraordinary member of our team whose impact can be felt in every corner of the Club. His dedication to our mission and the children we serve is unmatched," Vittoria said. "For more than three decades, he has inspired both staff and youth through his compassion, energy, and belief in every child’s potential."