Madison Realtor Ed Pellegrino Wins Good Neighbor Award

Ed Pelligrino of ColdwellBanker in Madison was one of three realtors to be award the Harry W. Wenz Good Neighbor Award.

The Good Neighbor Awards recognize realtors who have made an extraordinary commitment to helping other through volunteer work.

 “Pellegrino created the Pitching for Charity event in Madison that raises money for the Madison Food Pantry and Neighbor 2 Neighbor.  What began as five firms competing at softball has morphed into a larger event with buyers and sellers teams and most recently a face-off with the local Fire department. In the three years this event has been held it’s raised over $45,000; all of which went to the two charities,” according to a press release from the Connecticut Association of REALTORS®, Inc.

Last year’s Pitching for Charity event included a softball game between a team that included the local realtors and the Madison Chamber of Commerce versus Madison Hose Co. No. 1. Pellegrino and other volunteers also planned face painting, cupcake decorating, fishing for prizes and more. There also was a live auction planned.

Here is the full press release from the Connecticut Association of REALTORS:  

Marilyn Rosa, Ed Pellegrino and TJ Zappulla, are the Harry W. Wenz Good Neighbor Award winners for 2012!  The awards are given each year in honor and memory of Bud Wenz who served as Executive Vice President to the Connecticut Association of REALTORS® (CAR) for 17 years. The Good Neighbor Awards recognizes REALTORS® who have made an extraordinary commitment to helping others through volunteer work.

Rosa, Founder and Broker of Rosa Realty in New Haven, won the Gold Award, Pellegrino, a REALTOR® with ColdwellBanker in Madison won the Silver Award, and the late Zappulla, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Realty 2000 in Torrington, won the Bronze Award.

In addition to the awards themselves, $1000 will be donated on behalf of Rosa to the Boxing in Faith Gym, $500 will be donated on behalf of Pellegrino to Madison Community Services, and $250 on behalf of Zappulla to the TJ Zappulla Memorial Fund.

Rosa co-founded the Boxing in Faith Gym in Fair Haven along with her husband Luis. They purchased a facility and through their firm donated another $20,000 to rehab it into a working gym.  The gym serves as a place for youth to learn to box, while releasing energy and making friends. Marilyn personally coaches the kids and many have trained to become professional boxers, five of whom Marilyn still trains.

Pellegrino created the Pitching for Charity event in Madison that raises money for the Madison Food Pantry and Neighbor 2 Neighbor.  What began as five firms competing at softball has morphed into a larger event with buyers and sellers teams and most recently a face-off with the local Fire department. In the three years this event has been held it’s raised over $45,000; all of which went to the two charities.

Zappulla, a beloved REALTOR® in Torrington tragically passed away this summer. He left a community of people touched by his many acts of kindness and his lifetime of service to others including but not limited to devoting his time to the United Way, Northwest CT Aids Project, Toys for Tots and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Torrington.