Each year the Italian Heritage and Cultural Committee of Norwich honors its "Italians of the Year " -- individuals who display certain intrinsic values including serving the Italian community and community at large, being of Italian descent and showing an understanding of their Italian heritage as well as hailing from the greater Norwich area.

This year the honorees are Phil Pavone and Joseph G. Barile Jr. The award has been given since 1993. Pavone is being recognized for his life-changing program, the AZ Pawn Gift of Mobility. As the owner of AZ Pawn in Norwich, for the last 10 years Pavone has coordinated a campaign of connecting motorized wheelchairs to those in need.