Wallingford Mayor To Be Honored By Big Brothers Big Sisters CT At 60th Anniversary Gala

WALLINGFORD, CT — Wallingford Mayor Vinny Cervoni will be among the six community leaders to be honored at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut’s 60th Anniversary Gala next month.

The event will take place at 6 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Riverview in Simsbury. The evening will recognize the leaders, mentors, and supporters whose dedication has shaped the organization’s mission and helped more than 1,400 young people across Connecticut in the past year, according to a news release.

As part of the celebration, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut will honor six distinguished individuals whose “enduring commitment to mentorship has helped the organization reach tens of thousands of children since 1966,” according to the news release.

“Among this year’s distinguished honorees is Vinny Cervoni of Wallingford, whose leadership and service played a key role in expanding the work of BBBSCT,” the news release states. “Vinny’s years of dedicated service leading the Boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Meriden & Wallingford, and then Nutmeg BBBS after an agency merger, led the way to the strong, statewide organization we know today.

“Now serving his second term as Mayor of Wallingford, Vinny exemplifies purpose-driven leadership, bringing a passion for connection and opportunity to all his work. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut is happy to recognize and honor Vinny’s contributions as part of this milestone celebration.”

Read more from the news release below:

Since 1966, BBBSCT has matched more than 100,000 children with caring adult mentors. Mentored youth graduate from high school and college at higher rates, earn higher incomes, build more stable relationships, and are more engaged in their communities than their non-mentored peers – demonstrating how one-to-one mentoring changes lives.

Peer-reviewed studies consistently show that caring adults’ support and guidance help young people build their self-confidence, unlock opportunities, and set and pursue lofty goals. As Big Brother Francesco Lascari of Torrington – mentor to Little Brother Wilfredo – puts it: “It’s about staying connected, knowing what’s happening at school, hearing his mom’s updates, and being there to talk when he wants to. It’s those moments of connection that truly make a difference.”

Net proceeds from the event will directly support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut’s mentoring programs, ensuring the continuation of life-changing relationships for years to come. For more information about sponsorship options, visit https://app.betterunite.com/bigbrothersbigsistersofct-2026gala. To donate, visit https://ctbigs.org/donate, or to volunteer, visit https://ctbigs.org/be-a-big-new-2/.