Four “Hometown Heroes” were honored at the United Way of Western Connecticut’s Hometown Heroes Benefit Dinner on Friday, March 21 at The Matrix in Danbury. Leverage Marketing Group's Larry Neary of Bridgewater, Connecticut was selected as the recipient of the Individual Volunteer Award.

“After decades of service to the organization, choosing Larry was a given,” said Isabel Almeida, executive vice president. “He exemplifies the people who give of their time and resources to the organization. We accomplish a lot of what we do for the community only with the help of good and kind people like Larry,” she concluded.

“It’s has been a gift to give back,” Neary said. “There are countless people who give of their time and energies to make the organization’s goals become reality. I’m honored to have been named to represent all the volunteers.”

Neary recently retired from Leverage Marketing Group where he served as president. His former firm, Marketing Resources, Inc., was merged with Leverage in 2009.

Additional honors included the Corporate Philanthropy Award to GE Capital, Corporate Volunteer Award to Cartus Corporation, and the Community Partner Award to the Rotary Club of Newtown, Connecticut.