Each year, we are proud to present our Annual Spirit Awards to honor those who demonstrate dedication to our mission by providing inspiration, time, talent and other resources.
We are happy to announce that starting in 2022, our Spirit of Giving Award will be known as the Dolly and Mike Acocella Spirit of Giving Award. It will presented in honor and memory of Dolly and Mike who devoted themselves to Support Connection for nearly two decades.
Recipients of this award will be people who help Support Connection help others by giving of themselves wholeheartedly through volunteering and promoting our mission, as Dolly and Mike always did.
About Dolly and Mike
Dolly walked through our door at Support Connection in 1997 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She joined a support group and was so appreciative for the support she received. Dolly soon became a staunch advocate of our work. She volunteered in the office, with no task too large or too small for her to handle. Dolly gave her all with an amazing ability to multi-task, while doing everything well and making everyone around her feel special. She possessed a unique wisdom and her advice was always welcome.
Dolly joined our staff in 2001 and worked at Support Connection for several years. She became one of Support Connection’s first Peer Counselors. Dolly always listened attentively and provided compassionate, empathetic support to people dealing with breast, ovarian or gynecological cancer.
With Dolly’s encouragement, her husband Mike began to volunteer for us. Mike was a master of many trades; he was always willing to assist with anything that needed to be taken care of around the office. It didn’t stop there. Mike became very involved with our annual Support-A-Walk, managing the refreshments for many years. This was not an easy job: he coordinated pick-up and delivery to the park; set up of thousands of snacks, water bottles, bagels, fruit and more; and organized the many volunteers who assisted with giving out refreshments to the thousands of people who attended the Walk.
Dolly and Mike were the personification of “Energizer Bunnies.” In addition to their own involvement, they engaged their family members who also volunteered and supported our mission. Dolly and Mike gave from the heart, never looking for anything in return. Their great joy came in knowing a person impacted by breast, ovarian or gynecological cancer received the support they needed.
In Loving Memory and Tribute
We will forever miss Dolly and Mike. But the difference they made in so many lives will live on in our memories.
By presenting our annual Dolly and Mike Acocella Spirit of Giving Award, we will pay tribute to them and their kind, giving, generous hearts.