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02/22/2017 07:30 AMAs a junior in high school, Danny Petroccio has already given years of service town of East Haven in a variety of ways, volunteering hundreds of hours each year since 5th grade to different organizations. Even before getting involved in community organizations, Danny was always ready to lend a helping hand.
“Growing up, I always helped my aunt, who was paralyzed when she was 15, and it was really rewarding,” says Danny. “My parents raised me to be kind and always want to give back to the community. I always strive to help people no matter where or what it is.”
Danny got involved in the community when he was young. After his 5th-grade promotion, his mom took him out for ice cream and he first heard about the Haunted Isle at the Shore Line Trolley Museum.
“One of the managers for the Haunted Isle worked there and told me about it,” says Danny, who played football and baseball growing up. “I joined later that year because it sounded fun and was a way to bring out my creative side.”
The first year he was involved with the Haunted Isle, Danny played a character and was placed in different scenes throughout the attraction as needed. The second year Danny created an arachnophobia scene full of spiders. Now he manages his own scene.
“I get to come up with my own concept and choose actors,” says Danny. “This past year I did a redneck scene and that went pretty well.”
While there are many hours spent at the Haunted Isle throughout the weeks leading up to Halloween, the work begins long before that. Over the summer, Danny and other volunteers spend hundreds of hours preparing for the event.
“We’re down there cleaning, building, and getting stuff ready,” says Danny, whose favorite holiday has always been Halloween. “I’ve always liked the decorations and scaring people and I got the opportunity to scare people for two months and here I am seven years later.”
In addition to being able to enjoy his favorite holiday through his volunteer work at the Haunted Isle, Danny has also formed many relationships over the year.
“Another thing about the Haunted Isle is that all of us have formed a family,” says Danny. “It’s my home away from home.”
The relationships he formed at the Haunted Isle have led to other volunteer work as well. Some of the volunteers were involved with Wags and Whiskers, a non-profit based in West Haven that helps rescue animals with veterinary care and adoptions.
“I’ve always liked animals and my family has always had a dog or two,” says Danny. “We’ve had all different kinds of pets for all of my life and I always wanted to help animals.”
With Wags and Whiskers, Danny has helped work the organization’s booth at various events, participated in can and bottle drives, and volunteered at the pet pictures with Santa fundraiser where he has played an elf and this past year, he was Santa. He has also volunteered as an elf on the trolley rides with Santa at the Shore Line Trolley Museum.
About 18 months ago, one of Danny’s longtime friends suggested he check out the Fire Explorer program through the East Haven Fire Department. Danny attended his first meeting and quickly found a new passion.
The fire explorers meet weekly and they can also attend the Wednesday night volunteer drills as well as training fires. The fire explorers respond to fire calls and set up the rehabilitation center where they replace the firefighters’ air tanks, set up water bottles, and make sure extra tools are accessible.
“We help on calls, making sure the fire scene is good for firefighters and patients,” says Danny. “You get the training a firefighter would get and you get that experience under your belt, so that when you become a firefighter, you have that knowledge.”
The program has had such an impact on Danny that his goal is to have a career as a firefighter. He is currently CPR certified and this summer he plans to take an EMT course. After high school, he hopes to study fire science at Gateway Community College.
“I have a strong desire to save lives and help people,” says Danny. “I’ve also created a close bond with the other explorers and a lot of the firemen in town. It’s a good feeling. It’s a brotherhood.”
At East Haven High School, Danny’s favorite part of his day is his time in the automotive program, which he has been a part of for the past two years. He credits his teacher, Michael Iavarone, who is “the best teacher and has revolutionized the automotive program.”
Another thing Danny enjoys is being a DJ, an interest that began about five years ago. His father, who had an old PA system, was asked to play music at a friend’s party and Danny volunteered for the job. Since then, he has volunteered his services at a number of benefits.
“I took a liking to it,” says Danny. “Two years later, my parents ended up buying me a DJ setup and I’ve been doing it ever since. I enjoy interacting with people and being able to help people out.”
With the various things Danny is involved with, he has far exceeded the 20 hours of community service required for graduation. He is thankful to his parents who have been supportive of his involvement.
“Volunteering takes up a lot of time,” says Danny. “It feels good, though, and being able to give back to the community has ended up making a good reputation for me.”