Giving back to the community and the world


WINSTED — Images of local teens and 20-somethings engaging in home invasions, drugs and vandalism are not the stuff of community pride, but a breath of fresh air comes when Jason Budahazy’s name is mentioned. While he has seen his share of media attention, it has not been for criminal acts, but for acts of kindness.

Budahazy, a senior at Eastern Connecticut State University, will admit that he was not always a stellar student. In high school, he earned bad grades and just graduating was a feat. College was a place to go, something to do, but was not seen as a path to success.

"I actually used to be a student who never got good grades in school. I had my first detention in the first grade. I was not a model student," Budahazy said. "But I turned it around suddenly. It could have been a waste of talents and I turned it around."

Budahazy’s first year at college was a difficult transition. College was harder than high school had ever been and he was away from his comfort zone at home. But he survived his freshman year and applied for a summer internship program under the direction of Dr. Paul Brian, vice president of Eastern. Although Budahazy was not qualified for the position, Brian saw something special in Budahazy and gave him a shot. That was the chance Budahazy needed and he began taking a path that lead him to the dean’s list and becoming head orientation counselor his junior year.

Budahazy says Brian was responsible for his change in attitude and for providing him with an opportunity to explore his undiscovered potential.

"I have always been the idea guy," said Budahazy, and now he had an outlet to put some of his ideas to work.

Last year Budahazy approached leaders of the university about helping out the less fortunate in the community and he was welcomed with a great deal of support. His plan was to hold a Thanksgiving dinner for those in the Willimantic area who were homeless or unable to afford a dinner of their own.

With a lot of planning and coordination, more than 400 locals were able the have a proper 2007 Thanksgiving dinner at the college campus. In addition, Budahazy coordinated a massive food drive, donating more than 10,000 food items to soup kitchens in the area.

"It was very successful. It was just a phenomenal day," said Budahazy. "It was the greatest day of my life. I really look forward to doing it again this Thanksgiving."

Budahazy has teamed up with a sophomore who has expressed interest in continuing the program after he graduates. He is also working to establish similar programs at other colleges in the state.

In addition to his local community service, Budahazy helped establish an international recycling program during a study abroad program.

While Budahazy has been attending college for sports management, when the idea of an international business study abroad program arose, Budahazy felt it was a calling. With the help of his family, he embarked on a multi-country semester overseas stationed out of Cyprus, Greece.

In addition to Cyprus, Budahazy spent time in France, China, India, Egypt, Italy and Germany. Leaving on Jan. 23, Budahazy returned to Connecticut May 16 with a range of stories and a few awards for community service.

"When I got to Cyprus, I realized they don’t do any type of recycling. Myself and a couple of friends of mine that I met there decided to do something about it," said Budahazy.

The group of 75 American students, led by Budahazy, decided to start its own recycling program to collect soda cans.

"We sold the cans to an exporter to raise money for a hospital fund for children," said Budahazy. In addition, the group gave a presentation to the president and vice president of Nicosia, as well as local officials, on the importance of recycling. "While other people were drinking and just living it up, we were staying inside on Friday night and memorizing our presentation."

Since Budahazy’s trip, the study abroad program has implemented an internship program specifically for students interested in sustaining and expanding the recycling program.

"We left a strategic plan so everyone is on the same page so they can carry it on when we leave," said Budahazy. "I will be interested in finding out how the program is in five years."

For their hard work, the university presented Budahazy and his team with an award for community service. According to Budahazy, it was the first time that a study abroad student had received the award.

While in Paris, Budahazy also learned that he was the recipient of an award from the Connecticut Department of Higher Education for Outstanding Achievement in Community Service.

While Budahazy is uncertain what he will do after college, he is certain that his options are endless.

"The problem is I did the study abroad program and traveled the world to solidify what I wanted to do and I came back with too many options," said Budahazy.

In the meantime, he plans to tackle a few more projects while at Eastern.

"I think there is still some work that needs to be done there," said Budahazy, who will be living on campus this summer planning the 2009 Thanksgiving dinner, enhancing the program and making an effort to get other schools on board. "I still want to do things to enhance it."

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