YMCA of Greater Brandywine Recognizes the Impact of 5,859 Volunteers at the Celebration of Service
YMCA of Greater Brandywine Recognizes the Impact of 5,859 Volunteers at the Celebration of Service
The Jones Family, Bentley Systems, Steve Holman, Atul Malhotra, and Leo and Maryanne Parsons Receive Top Honors
(West Chester, PA) – Leaders, staff and volunteers from the YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) joined together at Penn Oaks Golf Club on April 15 to celebrate the impact of volunteers. The Celebration of Service, formerly Breakfast of Champions, is the organization’s biggest annual volunteer recognition event.
“Volunteerism begins with a simple yes – and it quickly becomes part of who we are,” said Scott Heinerichs, EdD, AT. Heinerichs is the Dean of the College of Health Sciences at West Chester University of Pennsylvania and serves as Board Chair and Chief Volunteer Officer for YGBW. “Like many volunteers, my journey with the Y started with an invitation to serve. What has kept me engaged is the strength of the Y’s mission and the passion of the staff and fellow volunteers who show up every day, committed to making a difference.”
During the event, YGBW celebrated the impact of 5,859 volunteers who gave 69,897 hours to the community last year. Association leaders bestowed honors on supporters who made a notable impact in the community in 2025, including The Jones Family, Bentley Systems, Steve Holman, Atul Malhotra and Leo and Maryanne Parsons. Branch leaders recognized 22 Branch Volunteers of the Year for their service and dedication.
The Jones Family | Service to Youth Award
The YMCA’s Service to Youth Award recognizes individuals and organizations whose dedication and effort have made a significant and positive difference in the lives of children in our community.
The 2025 Service to Youth Award is dedicated to the memory of Bob Jones.
A competitive swimmer throughout his life, Jones was beloved by the Upper Main Line YMCA (UMLY) community, where he swam daily. Friends, coaches and teammates knew him to be a leader - both in the pool and out in the community. In 2025, YGBW dedicated the 50-Meter Pool at UMLY to Jones’ legacy – now known as the “Robert B. Jones Memorial Pool”.
As Debbie Jones shared about her late husband, “Bob was a proud supporter of the YMCA for nearly 20 years and founded the Bob Jones Swimming Scholarship Program to help competitive swimmers in need. Their success carries forward his legacy of generosity.”
“The Jones Family’s generosity and belief in the mission of the YMCA serve as a shining example of how a few people’s dedication can shape a community,” said Bertram L. Lawson II, President and CEO of YGBW.
Bentley Systems | Community Partner Award
The YMCA Community Partner Award is given to an organization that has demonstrated a commitment to the Y’s mission and has strengthened the foundations of our community.
“Bentley Systems strives to be a good neighbor in the communities where our colleagues live and work,” shared Dan O’Brien, Director of Philanthropy and Impact at Bentley Systems. “Partnering with the YMCA of Greater Brandywine provides us with a unique opportunity to collaborate on multiple projects for the good of our neighbors."
With support from Bentley Systems, YGBW expanded access to adaptive fitness training for adults with disabilities – empowering athletes to build strength and confidence. Programs included onsite adaptive fitness at Bournelyf Special Camp and state-of-the-art training opportunities for Special Olympics of Pennsylvania (SOPA) athletes through YGBW’s Fit Truk. Bentley Systems also empowered local youth through generous investments in STEM programming, supporting hands-on exposure across a wide range of scientific disciplines.
As a non-profit serving nearly 112,000 in the county, YGBW relies on the support of Community Partners, sponsors and donors. In 2025, YGBW awarded $2.8 million in financial assistance to ensure that all in the community have access to vital services when needed. Support from organizations like Bentley Systems increases access for all.
Steve Holman & Atul Malhotra | CEO’s Award
The CEO’s Award recognizes those who have led with purpose, embodying the highest ideals of servant leadership. Recipients offer their time, talent and influence to ensure that YGBW thrives today and into the future.
The 2025 recipients, Steve Holman & Atul Malhotra, served as co-chairs of YGBW’s Strategic Planning Committee throughout 2025. With their stewardship, the organization developed a three-year strategic plan that will deepen the Y’s impact across the county and address community-identified needs. Key priorities include Expanding Reach and Belonging for All, Developing the Next Generation, Partnering in Community Health and Driving Sustainability through Mission-Aligned Growth.
Both Holman’s and Malhotra’s volunteerism is driven by a passion for our community and fueled by a personal connection to the Y’s mission.
As Holman shared, “I grew up going to the YMCA in downtown Minneapolis. In addition to fond memories from childhood, I love how the Y provides activities and resources for families in the community to foster physical and spiritual growth and connection with each other.” Holman has been a member of the Association Board of Directors since 2019, serving as chair of the Investment Committee.
Inspired by his family’s positive experience at the Y, Malhotra has served on the Association Board of Directors since 2021. He explained, “My family has experienced firsthand the Y’s impact - from my son’s first swim lesson to the daily dedication of staff. I’m proud to support an organization that strengthens our community and positively impacts individuals every day.”
Leo & Maryanne Parsons | Distinguished Service Award
The YMCA’s Distinguished Service Award recognizes dedicated volunteers and emphasizes the need for community service by all members of the community. Recipients of this award have set a standard of leadership that others follow.
Leo and Maryanne Parsons have been dedicated Y volunteers for more than 30 years, championing access for all and leaving a lasting impact on the Chester County community.
Maryanne Parsons found a welcoming community at the Y in 1989 as a new mother. Her commitment to the Y deepened through her support of the YMCA’s Good Kids Dinner, a decade of service on the Lionville Community YMCA advisory board and by helping to equip YMCA campers with essential supplies through her nonprofit, Partners in Outreach. As she shared, “For more than three decades, the YMCA has been a meaningful part of my life, consistently embodying the values of service, community and a deep commitment to strengthening and uplifting all people—making it a truly special and impactful organization.”
Leo Parsons began his service in 1994, helping lead a capital campaign to expand the facilities within the Oscar Lasko YMCA – a commitment that grew into more than 25 years of volunteer leadership on the Association Board of Directors. As he said, “The YMCA is a mission driven organization committed to being a vibrant and essential resource to families, adults and seniors from all walks of life. The Y turns its beliefs into actions and has become a place where we all can belong and be part of a true community.”
2025 Branch Volunteers of the Year
22 individuals were recognized as Volunteers of the Year, representing eight branches. Honors were bestowed across three categories, aligning with the pillars of the Y’s mission - Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. Branch Volunteers of the Year fulfill a variety of needs in the community – youth sports coaches and supporters, event volunteers, membership greeters, theater supporters and more.
- Coatesville YMCA: Brian Maloney Youth Development; Barbara Bates, Healthy Living; Kimberly Burress, Social Responsibility.
- Jennersville YMCA: Eric Jordan, Youth Development; Trisha Lavertu, Healthy Living; Jonathan Corona, Social Responsibility.
- Kennett Area YMCA: Gary Gajeski, Youth Development; Kelsie Krieger, Healthy Living; Mary Buffington, Social Responsibility.
- Lionville Community YMCA: Chris Foster & Family, Youth Development; Ann Murtaugh, Healthy Living; Jocelyn Quimbo, Social Responsibility.
- Oscar Lasko YMCA and Childcare Center: Stephanie Wientjes, Youth Development; Brittany Jervis, Healthy Living; James Williams, Social Responsibility.
- Upper Main Line YMCA: Susan Bain, Youth Development; Rosanne Dippell, Healthy Living; Paul Novak, Social Responsibility.
- West Chester Area YMCA: Amanda Fenn, Youth Development; John Adams Healthy Living; Lauren Scudieri, Social Responsibility.
- YMCA Pickleball Center at Downingtown: Jane Smith, Healthy Living.
“Volunteers are the heart of the Y,” said Lawson. “From the founding of our organization – both globally and here in our local community – volunteer leadership has shaped who we are and how we serve. That spirit of service is as strong today as it was 130 years ago. We are deeply grateful to the thousands of volunteers who generously share their time, treasure and talents to support our mission and our neighbors throughout Chester County.”
About Volunteering at YGBW https://ymcagbw.org/give/volunteer
YGBW Strategic Plan: https://ymcagbw.org/publications/2026-2028-ygbw-strategic-plan
YGBW Annual Report: https://ymcagbw.org/publications/2025-annual-report