Congratulations to our winner, Dawn Lazzara, one of our Outstanding Women of 2023!

Nominated by: Marie Manning

“I consider Dawn to be an outstanding woman with a heart of gold.” – Marie Manning

Dawn Lazzara has spent countless hours coordinating events in her Groton community to raise money for Jazzy’s Children’s Fund, a charity established in honor of her goddaughter, Jasmine Paye. After witnessing the outpouring of support for Jasmine when she was diagnosed with Peripheral Nerve Sheath Cancer, Dawn has helped to realize Jasmine’s dream of giving back to the community and to other children in need. Many children have been helped by Jazzy’s Children’s Fund, thanks to the many fundraising events Dawn organizes. For the last two years, the community has united to create, buy and sell crafts for a Christmas pop-up shop, all to benefit families of children with life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Dawn works to ensure not only that Jasmine’s memory is preserved, but that it helps other people in a similar situation.