Don O’Day chairs the Coleytown Middle School Building Committee. For the past 2 years, he has overseen the school’s renovation, after closure due to mold.
Sloan O’Connell-Jamali — parent of 3 boys — writes:
I don’t know Don O’Day personally. But I would like to nominate him for Unsung Hero recognition, as we close out 2020.
Don O’Day
Earlier this month he handed off the Coleytown Middle School building to the Board of Education. As my 6th grader excitedly waits to walk through the doors of CMS for the first time on Jan 4, there is no doubt in my mind that we have Don O’Day (and his amazing team) to thank.
He has been the ultimate public servant, volunteering his leadership, time and abilities over the past 2 years to help bring our CMS building back to life.
I can only imagine the countless hours of work, meetings, Zoom calls and spreadsheets he has had to devote to getting this job done — during a pandemic nonetheless.
I am personally grateful to have had his constant Facebook updates, which kept us all in the loop and were totally transparent.
We are so lucky to have someone like Don in our community. His volunteerism is inspiring and he has changed our Westport community for the better.
What an inspired nomination, Sloan — and so true. Don O’Day has truly modeled what it means to juggle the often-competing demands of town officials, school administrators, parents, students and other residents — all while keeping the needs of children front and center.
Thank you, Don. We all look forward to the reopening of Coleytown Middle School early next month. For that, you are absolutely this week’s Unsung Hero!
(To nominate an Unsung Hero, email dwoog@optonline.net)