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The 12-year Fairfield resident was co-chair of the town’s 375th anniversary gala last year and chaired the recent Pink Pledge campaign, a highly visible fundraiser and awareness campaign to benefit the Norma Pfriem Breast Center.
And all her hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. On Wednesday, the Board of Selectmen named Battista Fairfield of the Year.
“I’m shocked,” said Battista, who thought she was asked to attend Wednesday’s meeting to deliver a report on the Pink Pledge campaign’s success. “This is amazing. I think Fairfield is an awesome place to live and raise a family.”
Kristen Plock, one of several people who nominated Battista, said she doesn’t look for accolades, but certainly deserves them for spearheading things like the gala, which raised about $10,000 for the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities.
“She was steadfast,” Plock told a crowd gathered for the announcement.
First Selectman Michael Tetreau praised Battista and all the volunteers who worked on both initiatives.
“She’s the epitome of dedication,” he said, “of doing something for others. She did an amazing amount of work.”
The board presented Battista with an engraved clock and she received flowers from the Norma Pfriem Breast Center.
Selectman Christopher Tymniak said it takes strong commitment to take a leadership role in such large-scale endeavors.
“She did and that’s what makes Fairfield great,” he said.
Fairfield has been naming Fairfielders of the Year since 2004. Residents nominate worthy candidates and the Board of Selectmen names an annual winner. Winners are chosen for giving of their time and energy and being an outstanding volunteer or model citizen who exhibits leadership, cooperation and spirit, among many other traits.
“These awards have become a popular and rewarding tradition,” Tetreau said.
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