PEABODY — The Making a Difference in Peabody Foundation honored three of the city's own Thursday night.
Police officer John Nelson, Conservation Commissioner Michael Rizzo and community leader Jackie Torigian earned nods from the nonprofit for their years of unsung service to Peabody.
Nominated by police Chief Robert Champagne, Nelson was lauded for his behind-the-scenes work on the annual Jimmy Fund baseball game and his personal touch on the job.
"More often than not, he will work independently on his own time and often with his own personal resources to ensure that every situation he touches is better for him having been there," said foundation board member Don McAllister, who quoted Champagne's nomination.
Rizzo earned plaudits for his volunteer time spent on a variety of city boards.
He also serves as a trustee of the Peabody Historical Society, as a coach in West Peabody sports and on the finance committee at St. Adelaide Church.
"For all of those reasons, he certainly made a difference in Peabody," McAllister said.
Torigian was honored for her service on a host of charitable boards like the Torigian Scholarship Fund and the Peabody Institute Library Foundation.
"They're in the background, working quietly, and they don't make a big deal about it," McAllister said.
The trio received their awards at Toscana's Ristorante and Cafe, during the nonprofit's third fundraiser of the year. The organization also thanked its corporate sponsors for their generosity.
The event was a way for Making a Difference in Peabody to raise more money during a difficult time. The 8-year-old charity has also gone after more grants and worked to develop its business contacts.
"This is part of the plan, in the sense that we have wanted to be proactive in these economic times," foundation director Scott Frasca said. "We don't want to be sitting crying poor-mouth."
Thankfully, the city Police and Fire departments chipped in with a $1,200 donation from a flag football game they organized in recent months, Frasca said.
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