Volunteers of the Year

AKRON ROTARY CAMP 2020 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR  
Wanda is the owner of World Elite Kids, which offers cheer, tumbling and gymnastics. She has devoted her time and talents to children of all abilities to help them grow and succeed. Wanda believes in giving back and Akron Rotary Camp is one of her preferred charities. She has co-chaired Akron Rotary’s Chili Open Golf Classic for the last four years, helping to raise operating funds for Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs. With her leadership and passion to serve, the Chili Open continues to raise record-breaking amounts every year--$1,164,082 from 2018-2021.  Thank you Wanda, for your tireless service above self in helping Akron Rotary Camp in “Creating a world where there are only abilities!” 

AKRON ROTARY CAMP 2020 YOUTH OF THE YEAR 

Justice Akron Ministry (JAM) is a three-day opportunity for Hoban Students to participate in a social justice service project while they build community with one another, and grow their faith. Hoban students volunteer summer after summer through the JAM program at Akron Rotary Camp’s Rex Lake and Happy Day Campuses. They assist our campers with activities in the arts and crafts room, playing together in sports and games, being a canoe buddy, or just being a friend.  

We are grateful to all the Hoban students, chaperones and program leaders that have volunteered over the years. They always show great empathy for our campers, and are always willing to lend a helping hand. Thank you Hoban Jam for making a difference at Akron Rotary Camp.  

CHILD CARE 2020 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Elizabeth is a dedicated employee of the Early Childhood Resource Center of Akron, Ohio.  During the 2020-2021 pandemic, Elizabeth provided essential guidance and support to our Early Care and Education Centers. Her encouragement and assistance prepared our programs for their FIVE-STAR rating renewals. Elizabeth was available to assist our team through email, zoom meetings and occasional “Encouragement” baskets, containing plentiful goodies for our Early Care & Education team.  We are beyond grateful for Elizabeth’s positive energy and support! 

CHILDCARE 2020 YOUTH OF THE YEAR

Kennedy has participated in Y programing since preschool.  She is currently a school age student that attends our Hope Before and After School Enrichment program. Kennedy is soft spoken with a heart that explodes with love and compassion for others.  She is very responsible, reliable and always willing to provide a helping hand.  Kennedy is the oldest in the classroom and serves as a positive role model for her peers by demonstrating the Y values.  Kennedy, we thank you for being a student with character! 

FIRESTONE PARK YMCA 2020 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Bob has been a member of the Firestone Park Advisory Board for five years and has served as the board chair for the past two years. He has a passion for the YMCA and the impact we have on our community. He brings excitement and new ideas to the table, and works hard to advance the Y’s mission and cause any way he can. We salute you, Bob Wollyung! The leadership team at Firestone Park is grateful for your on-going support. 

FIRESTONE PARK 2020 YOUTH OF THE YEAR 

Emma, a student at Hatton Community Learning Center,  participates in the Firestone Park YMCA’s after school enrichment program at Hatton. Emma is an excellent helper who excels at both assisting her teachers and fellow students. Emma sets an amazing example by always being kind, courteous and above all willing to help with everything from passing out snacks to helping clean up. Emma, we acknowledge you for your leadership and willingness to lend a helping hand! 

GREEN FAMILY YMCA 2020 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 

Heather began volunteering at the Green Family YMCA when her daughter joined their swim team in 2014. As their Administrative Official, Heather gracefully keeps the Barracudas Swim Team running smoothly. She is their Meet Secretary so she is the first one there on meet day and the last to leave after compiling results.  Heather is also their USA Swimming liaison, registering all the Barracuda swimmers annually and for every USA meet.  She spends countless hours assuring that the paperwork and entries are in order before submission.  Her dedication assures that every Barracuda USA swimmer gets an opportunity to swim in meets.  Heather, we are grateful for your dedication and your hundreds of hours of volunteer service! 

GREEN FAMILY YMCA 2020 YOUTH OF THE YEAR 

For the past five years, Riley participated in the Green Family YMCA’s Before and After School Enrichment and Summer Day Camp programs.  Riley is eager to help counselors with special projects and day-to-day activities. She enjoys getting creative, organizing games and projects, and helping younger students with their homework. Our preschool students love Ms. Riley’s visits to their classrooms to read to them. Riley has received many camper awards, including Camper of the Week and the Leadership award. She is a member of our Barracudas Swim Team and our younger kiddos look up to Riley as a role model because of her exemplary character. Thank you for all you do, Riley. We cannot wait until you are old enough to join our staff!

KOHL FAMILY YMCA 2020 VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR 

We applaud Dr. Alida Moonen, Director of Training & Development for the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, and Bassey Ijoma, Manager, Quality Assurance and Clinical Improvement for Summa Care, Akron. Their innovation and determination lead to a praise-worthy Friday@5-ish event during COVID-19. Together, they charted new territory and meticulously created a different kind of event, one that did not compromise the 25-year history of the live event. These creative visionaries stepped into the bold, new world of scripts and tele-prompters inside a recording studio. We salute them for conquering a new challenge, exceeding revenue expectations, reaching over 200+ viewers, and representing the Akron Area YMCA with flourish. 

LAKE ANNA YMCA 2020 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 

Shorter has served on the Lake Anna YMCA board since 2017 and as their Annual Campaign chair since 2019, exceeding the fundraising goal each year. Shorter is on the Lake Anna YMCA reverse raffle committee and sells dozens of tickets each year. Shorter served in the Army and is well respected in our community. He is a Barberton City Councilman and serves on a number of local boards including Barberton Kiwanis, Barberton Salvation Army, the Summit County Land Bank and Summit County Agency on Aging. He is also involved with the Barberton City Schools, BCDC, NAACP, the Soap Box Derby and Black Elected Officials. It is an honor for us to recognize Shorter Griffin for his outstanding achievements and service to our community.

LAKE ANNA YMCA 2020 YOUTH OF THE YEAR 

Jon is a junior at Barberton High School who has participated in the Job Training program through the Four Cities Compact for two years.  He started volunteering at the Lake Anna YMCA during the 2019-2020 school year.  His favorite job at The Y is neatly folding towels.  His volunteer experience at the Y has taught Jon how to work independently and follow a work schedule/routine. It has helped him become more responsible.  His dream job is to work at the YMCA when he graduates. Jon would like to thank his Job Coach, Nancy, for her on the job support. During his free time, Jon enjoys playing video games, especially Mario Kart, Splatoon and Sonic Forces. Jon, thank you for your contributions at our Y! 

LONGWOOD YMCA 2020 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR  

Jason is an Interventionist at Nordonia High School. He provides one-on-one support to a student named Michael, who we hired for a senior work experience.  Michael required a lot of assistance, which Jason provides. He helped Michael with his assigned responsibilities, including cleaning and sanitizing childcare toys, organizing files, weeding/gardening, and other beautification of our Longwood YMCA grounds. Jason was also instrumental in launching the Longwood YMCA Soccer Academy for three to five year olds. He recruited high school volunteers, created lesson plans, and set up meetings with the Macedonia Rec Center to help our Y build a better relationship with them. Thank you Jason for your time and energy and for strengthening our YMCA’s presence in the Macedonia community.  

LONGWOOD YMCA 2020 YOUTH OF THE YEAR

As an eighth grader, Vince volunteered in the Longwood YMCA CIT (Counselor In Training) program.  CITs assist camp counselors with games/activities and serve as a positive role model for the younger children.  Vince has been a participant in the Longwood YMCA summer day camp program since he was five.  He is responsible, respectful and a leader amongst his peers.  In his CIT interview, Vince said, “I hope to gain experience in a leadership role, gain community service hours, and help kids have one of the best summers ever, like I did the past 10 years.”  Thank you Vince for helping us launch our Longwood YMCA CIT program. Hope to see you back as a camp counselor when you graduate from High School.  

RIVERFRONT YMCA 2020 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR   

Amanda has been a staple in the Riverfront YMCA Youth Basketball program since her son Logan participated, and continues with her two daughters Olivia and Ella in the program. Amanda helps coach her children's teams and often coaches more than one session per year. She is a fantastic coach that instills the fundamentals of the game as well as good sportsmanship. Amanda often receives requests from parents for her to coach their children during basketball. The basketball league truly would not be the same without you, Amanda. We appreciate you! 

RIVERFRONT 2020 YOUTH OF THE YEAR  

Isaiah assisted with the Riverfront YMCA Youth Basketball league for three sessions over the last year. As a child, he was a participant in the league. Isaiah has been a regular at the YMCA his whole life, along with his two younger brothers, Noah and Elijah. Isaiah was happy to referee basketball games for the kids. Isaiah's mom, Pepin, is a member of the Riverfront YMCA staff. She teaches group exercise classes and provides personal training. This family embraces the YMCA as an important part of their lives. We are grateful to have the Harpers in our YMCA family! 

THRIVE 2020 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR  

We are grateful to Sam Zingale and Sanson Produce -- invaluable partners to our THRIVE initiative. They deliver fresh produce to our Y at no charge so we can make healthy treats with the children as part of their CATCH Nutrition lesson and send produce home for a second at-home healthy treat. Through this awesome experience, the children have tried foods they may have never tried and discovered that they enjoy fruits and veggies. Sanson also supported Healthy Kids Day, a family picnic/farmer’s market and distribution of boxes of fresh produce to the families we serve. Thank you for making our nutrition lessons colorful and tasty, Sanson Team! You are making a difference in these young lives.

WADSWORTH YMCA 2020 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

David has been with the Wadsworth YMCA for four years. He is a valuable asset to our leadership and plays an important role in our youth basketball league. Not only does he coach a team, he also comes in the entire day to mingle with the kids and coaches while helping keep score and refereeing the games. Players and coaches look forward to seeing him each weekend. Many players request him as a coach.  He interacts with the children as if they are his own, remembering each of their names. David helps the youth see how they have grown in the game and as a person. The Wadsworth YMCA would not be the same place without you, David. Thank you for your many contributions. 

WADSWORTH 2020 YOUTH OF THE YEAR 

Vivian serves as a volunteer in our Wadsworth YMCA aquatics programs.  She worked with the Safety Around Water program, serving the Hope and Cascade Village children. Vivian is a caring, empathic, responsible, kind, and respectful person.  Through her work with our aquatics programs, she consistently displays these traits with the children and staff. Vivian continues to assist with Group Swim lessons as her busy schedule allows. She is punctual, professional, and responsible. She has a wonderful disposition and rapport with the kids.  Vivian we appreciate your willingness to pitch in whenever and wherever needed. We are grateful for your contribution to the success of our aquatics programs. 

YMCA CAMP Y-NOAH 2020 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 

Ben works tirelessly alongside, Billy, the Camp Y-Noah Properties Director.  He has spent countless hours helping clean up camp after storms and lending a hand on repairs.  Ben has brought volunteer groups out to camp to help as well. Every guest feels and sees Ben and his volunteer groups’ positive impact.  Ben’s personality lights up a room. His infectious spirit provides the boost we need to pull through the tough projects.  Thank you, Ben. We are grateful for all you do! 

YMCA CAMP Y-NOAH 2020 YOUTH OF THE YEAR

Nate has been a staunch supporter of Camp Y-Noah since he was six years old.  He has risen to the call every time camp has needed help.  Nate has supported his brother’s Eagle Scout project at camp, woken up early to help clean, and has even served as our camp spokesperson. Nate’s enthusiasm is infectious, his work ethic is admirable, and his wit sharp!  We could not ask for a better role model. Thank you, Nate!