Community Corner

Berkeley Heights YMCA Volunteers Honored

Volunteers were honored at the organization's recent annual meeting.

The Summit Area YMCA held its 127th annual Meeting Celebration at the Summit Fortnightly Club and honored volunteers who have made significant contributions to the Summit YMCA, Berkeley Heights YMCA, and the Learning Circle YMCA.

More than 120 members, donors, and community representatives were in attendance.

"This event provides a wonderful venue to celebrate our dedicated volunteers and to highlight all they have done to advance the cause-driven mission of the Y," Darrell Johnson, Summit Area YMCA president and CEO, said. "The honorees give selflessly of their time, talent and treasure to ensure that our Ys remain vital, vibrant and valued centers that strengthen the community by nurturing youth, promoting overall wellness, and helping our neighbors in need."

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Each branch of the area YMCA selected two honorees based on unique criteria, including the Mission Advancement Volunteer, who was selected for taking a lead role in advancing the Y's mission, and the Living Our Cause Volunteer, who was selected for participating in a leadership capacity at the Y.

The Summit Area YMCA chose Kevin Hill as its Mission Advancement Volunteer for championing strategic relationships for the Y within the community and Stephanie Kramer as its Living Our Cause Volunteer for her commitment to the Board and events like the Laugh Out Loud Comedy fundraiser.

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Berkeley Heights YMCA honored Pater Marchetta as its Mission Advancement Volunteer for his dedication to the Association Facilities Committee and as a Y Board member, and Ann Garrity as its Living Our Cause Volunteer for her commitment to advocating for the Y and raising funds for the Annual Campaign.

The Learning Circle YMCA selected Teresa Mendez as its Mission Advancement Volunteer for her avid support of the Annual Campaign and participating on the Branch Advisory Board, and Michael Yesenko as its Living Our Cause Volunteer for enriching the children’s experience by reading to them each week.

In addition to the volunteers, three teens were also honored by the Summit YMCA as participants in the Y Achievers program. The young women honored were Jeanne-Marie Hamilton-Moore as Youth of the Year, as well as Helena Jones and Natasha Smith as Graduating Achievers.

The event culminated with the presentation of the Shuart Reed Memorial Award. Cindy Martin, Board Chair for the Summit Area YMCA, presented the award to Kevin Cummings, President and CEO of Investors Bank, for his generous support of the Summit Area YMCA. 

"It takes a good heart and a great deal of energy to make an impact, one that cannot be done without a group effort. I urge everyone to make a commitment of time and resources to support the Summit Area YMCA. Together, through a shared passion for doing good, we can make a difference for all our neighbors," Cummings said.


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