Girls Inc. of Taunton has honored Debbie Araujo, Manager of the Citizens for Citizens, Inc. (CFC) Taunton office, with its sixth annual Woman of Achievement Award.
The 2012 Woman of Achievement Award was presented to Debbie Araujo at a dinner celebration on April 4, 2012 held at the Stone Forge Restaurant in Raynham. Ms. Araujo has worked for CFC, a designated Community Action Agency, for 32 years, starting with a temporary Head Start Program position and eventually becoming manager of the CFC Taunton office.
Well known in the Greater Taunton area for her liaison work with social and human service agencies, Debbie is most recognized for her leadership in the development and growth of the CFC Taunton Operation Christmas Program. In its first year, the Operation Christmas Program distributed gifts to 200 needy children, working with a budget of $500. The program now provides holiday gifts to more than 3,000 children in low-income families, newborn to age twelve. As supervisor of the Operation Christmas program, Debbie Araujo is involved with raising private cash donations and toy donations from local companies, civic groups, and individuals. She also must coordinate the over 70 volunteers who package and distribute the toys and clothing items to Taunton area families who might not otherwise be able to have gifts for their children on Christmas Day.
Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye, Jr.; State Senator Marc Pacheco, and State Representative Shaunna O’Connell were in attendance to honor Debbie Araujo at the dinner reception. Mayor Hoye presented Ms. Araujo with a citation and State Senator Pacheco issued a resolution as both honored her for a long and successful career in social services, and for having a significant and positive impact on her local community. Elizabeth Berube, Assistant Director of Citizens for Citizens, Inc., praised the inspiring work ethic and dedication to CFC clients that Debbie Araujo brings to work each and every day. Robert Barboza of Barboza Auto recalled his involvement with Operation Christmas and joked about how hard Debbie made him and the other volunteers work during the day of the Christmas toy distribution. Gil Enos, Budget Director for the City of Taunton, spoke of his longtime friendship with Debbie Araujo and told of his own participation in the Operation Christmas Program. Other speakers at this event included Jessica Johnstone of Girls Inc., and Eva Gaffney.
After receiving her awards and listening to the gracious recognition from speakers at her testimonial celebration, Debbie Araujo thanked everyone for their attendance at the dinner and all those volunteers who made Operation Christmas possible each year. She further noted that, “I could not possibly do this program without the overwhelming support CFC receives from the generous people in this community.” Debbie Araujo has been a lifelong resident of Taunton. She is married to Al Araujo and they have a daughter, two step-children, and seven grandchildren.
Girls Inc. of Taunton is celebrating 100 years of service to area girls through after school programs, summer camp activities, advocacy, and special events. This important organization sponsors programs with the potential to change the lives of girls, inspiring them to “be strong, smart and bold.” Girls Inc. utilizes research-based curricula to assist girls in academic achievement, enable them to lead healthy, physically active lives; assess media messages, develop interests in technology and science, and learn to manage finances. More than 300 girls annually are supported and empowered by the positive experiences provided by Girls Inc. of Taunton.
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