On Tuesday, April 2, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine presented its highest honors including its Service to Youth Award, Distinguished Service Award and Community Partner Award during its Breakfast of Champions Volunteer Recognition Event at the Penn Oaks Golf Club.

In addition, more than two dozen volunteers were recognized for their outstanding service. The YMCA’s 4,553 volunteers provided 58,324 hours of service at the eight branches of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine in 2018. Volunteers serve in all capacities – reading to children in the childcare program, coaching youth sports, organizing food drives, serving on our boards and committees and more.

Click here to view photos from the event. 

Service to Youth Award

The YMCA’s Service to Youth Award was presented to Dr. Jamie Krull. Dr. Krull has been volunteering as a coach for the Upper Main Line YMCA (UMLY) swim team for more than 30 years, spending at least six days a week at the branch. “Having him here is like having another head coach,” says Lou Petto, Competitive Swim Team Director at UMLY. “The kids love him and we are very fortunate to have him!”

Distinguished Service Award

The YMCA presented Robert “Bob” Rigg with the Distinguished Service Award. Bob has been a part of the YMCA family since joining the Board of Directors in 2002, and he has generously shared his time, talent and treasure ever since. “No matter what the need, Bob is always ready to help,” says Denise Day, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. 

Community Partner Award

The YMCA’s Community Partner Award was presented to NSM Insurance Group. NSM is a family-run business with a focus on giving back to their community. From the YMCA’s 7th Grade Initiative, to the Power Scholars program, to our SPLASH program, NSM has generously supported these efforts for the last eight years and been a reliable and valuable partner to the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. NSM Account Executive Carol Maselli accepted the award.

Additional Awards

Finally, volunteers from each of the eight branches that comprise the YMCA of Greater Brandywine, as well as the YMCA’s Girls on the Run and STRIDE programs, were presented with awards for their service in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

The Brandywine YMCA presented:

• Eddie Jennings with the Youth Development Award. Eddie exemplifies the Y’s mission as a motivating volunteer basketball coach, stepping up even when his children are not participating. 
   
• Susan Pomorski with the Healthy Living Award. Susan is a passionate volunteer, assisting with the annual Dry Try fundraiser, supporting Brandywine’s Healthy Halloween event and participating in the Thank-A-Thon.
   
• Anthony D’Antonio with the Social Responsibility Award. Anthony believes in giving back, showing his support at the YMCA’s Annual Dinner, helping make the branch’s Car Show event a fund-raising success, and volunteering many hours of his time to events at the branch, such as Healthy Halloween.

The Jennersville YMCA presented:

• Christy Overton with the Youth Development Award for being a volunteer coach, encompassing all the Y values in her teaching of the game.
   
• Tony Carney with the Healthy Living Award for his undying dedication to Special Olympics. He began the program in southern Chester County in 2003 and is in his 16th year as a coach for them.
   
• Tiffany McPeak with the Social Responsibility Award for serving as Chair for the branch’s Advisory Board, as well as on the YMCA of Greater Brandywine’s Association Board of Directors. Tiffany is also a driving force in philanthropic efforts, coaches youth sports and is an advocate for Y programs.

The Kennett Area YMCA presented: 

• Kevin Sheridan with the Youth Development Award for volunteering in all areas with the Drama Club, from set building to acting to script writing.
   
• Brittany Vermeire with the Healthy Living Award for being part of the Kennett Area Y Ambassador program and being a friend and listener to whoever needs her.
   
• David Kuzo with the Social Responsibility Award for all his help with the YMCA’s Safety Around Water program, and his diligent work during Enhancement Week, when all the branches undergo a deep cleaning and restoration.

The Lionville Community YMCA presented:

• Tony Chiavelli with the Youth Development Award for his service as a skilled coach for the Girls’ basketball team.
   
• Maryanne Parsons with the Healthy Living Award for being a leader and going the extra mile with the LIVESTRONG program, a 12-week program, facilitated by YMCA-certified instructors, which includes exercise and a support community for cancer survivors. 
   
• Amy Jo Garbus with the Social Responsibility Award for her unending commitment to the Y and the Diverse Abilities program. After sharing her story at the branch’s Annual Dinner event, she received a standing ovation.

The Octorara YMCA Program Center presented:

• Sue Fitzgerald and Judi Flynn with the Youth Development Award for the enthusiasm for reading they bring to Octorara students as our traveling librarians.

The Oscar Lasko YMCA and Childcare Center presented: 

• Spencer Camacho with the Youth Development Award for creating and organizing a six-week music program for students in the afterschool program at the Oscar Lasko YMCA.
   
• Kelly Steele with the Healthy Living Award. Kelly is a youth basketball coach who instills healthy lifestyle values as well as basketball skills to her players. 
   
• Carol Baker with the Social Responsibility Award. Carol is a former teacher who established a volunteer reader program and coordinated a supply drive for the Oscar Lasko YMCA childcare program. 

 The Upper Main Line YMCA (UMLY) presented:

• Mike Lutz with the Youth Development Award for his dedication to the UMLY swim program, serving as the Michelle Deasey Memorial Meet Director for the last five years, a volunteer coach and an active official at swim meets. Mike is a major ambassador for the Y’s mission and supports the Y’s annual campaign, which raises funds to support financial assistance programs to ensure that ALL Chester County residents have access to all the YMCA has to offer, including membership, camp, childcare and other programs.
   
• John Anderson with the Healthy Living Award. John is the Captain of UMLY’s Super Seniors, building a community of more than 60 senior tennis players, whose activity keeps them agile and independent as they age. 
   
• Arnie Winicov with the Social Responsibility Award for entertaining young and old alike with his piano-playing talents in the lobby for the last seven years. 

The West Chester Area YMCA presented:

• Katie Acker with the Youth Development Award for her leadership role in the administrative side of the West Chester Area YMCA’s Marlins Swim team, which includes the smooth operation of home swim meets. She also serves on West Chester Area YMCA’s program committee. 
   
• Frank Ranhofer with the Healthy Living Award for providing inter-generational support to Y members who are seeking help with swimming mechanics. Additionally, he is a social lifeline for many members, leading a weekly bridge game and checking on members regularly.
   
• Christine Parsons with the Social Responsibility Award. Christine has been on the branch’s board of advisors since 2016, is an active member of the branch’s program committee and a strong advocate for Y programs. She has been a campaign volunteer and YMCA mission champion for as long as she has been a member of the Y.

The YMCA’s Girls on the Run and STRIDE program presented Jackie Sharp with their Volunteer of the Year Award for her service to the YMCA’s Girls on the Run (GOTR) program. Since the spring of 2014, Jackie has dedicated two afternoons a week as a GOTR coach at Bradford Heights Elementary School in the Downingtown Area School District.