Dave Scarpino, general chairperson of the Bristol Christmas Festival Committee, announced recently that Judy and Don Squires have been awarded the 2022 Dottie Cordeiro Spirit of Christmas Award.

Named for the founder of Bristol’s Christmas Festival, Dorothy “Dottie” Cordeiro, the Spirit of Christmas Award is presented annually to a person or persons who exemplify and practice the true meaning of Christmas, not only during the holiday season but throughout the entire year. Recipients of this award willingly give their time, effort, and generosity of spirit and compassion to others.

Judy was a teacher in Barrington for 35 years before retiring in 2009. During that time, she was a member of the Executive Board of the Rhode Island School Health Association, where she was co-president for two years. She was selected Health Teacher of the year in 1992 by the RI Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

Judy was the coordinator of Barrington High School’s SADD. (Students Against Drunk Driving) and Faculty Advisor for the Youth Advisory Committee of the Governor’s Committee for Youth, Alcohol, and Substance Abuse. She was also a Health Education consultant, lecturer for the Department of Education, consultant for the University of RI’s Cancer Prevention Research Center, and a member of the Steering Committee for the Health Educators Alliance for University and High School Health Educators.

Judy is a 47-year, lifetime member of the Bristol Fourth of July Committee. When Judy is not helping to plan events for the Fourth of July Committee, she can be found at the local playground running around with her grandchildren.

Don worked for the RI Department of Environmental Management Office of Compliance and Inspection for 32 years before retiring in 2008. He was Head Athletic Trainer at Ullucci Sports Medicine, assigned to Mt. Hope High School. Don was also an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Brown University from 1991 to 2008. In retirement, Don is currently a teacher’s aide at the A. William Josephs Career Academy in Warren.

Don’s involvement in youth sports runs deep. He was an Assistant Varsity Football and Women’s Basketball Coach at Barrington High School and Mt. Hope High School. Don also was a CYO Basketball and Pop Warner Football Coach and a RI Interscholastic League football, basketball, and lacrosse official. He was the former Basketball Commissioner for the Bristol Recreation Department as well as a volleyball instructor for the Bristol Adult Education Program from 1972 to 1976.

Although Don has never been an “official” member of the Bristol Fourth of July Committee, you can always find him before, after, and during events helping to move tables and chairs, taking out the trash, unloading and carrying boxes, and stepping in wherever he is needed. Don likes to joke that he is on his own committee that just comes in to work at the events
Don and Judy are the parents of two daughters – Heidi Vermilyea and Whitney Squires and grandchildren to Landon and Austin Vermilyea, their foster grandchild Fabio and a fourth grandson due to join them at the beginning of December.

“It is a distinct honor to present Don and Judy as this year’s recipients of the Bristol Spirit of Christmas Award,” said Scarpino. “With their selfless commitment and service to our community throughout the year, Don and Judy embody the true spirit of Christmas.”

The award will be presented on Friday, Nov. 11, during the annual Bristol Christmas Festival Snow Ball. The event will include dinner, cocktails, swing dancing, and a silent auction. Tickets to the event are $100. For reservations, contact Jodi Leffingwell at (401) 601-8611 or visit the Bristol Christmas Festival website at: www.christmasbristolri.com.