Somerset Hills YMCA Spirit Awards

The Somerset Hills YMCA is proud to announce the recipients of the 1st Somerset Hills YMCA Spirit Awards that recognize and celebrate its volunteers. An awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2012 from 6:00 – 8:00pm at the Y at 140 Mount Airy Rd., Basking Ridge. The fee to attend is just $5 and YMCA volunteers are guests of the Y. There will also be a brief dedication ceremony of a new mural, designed and executed by artist Caren Frost Olmsted of Basking Ridge, which celebrates the rich sixty year history of the Y. The mural will be dedicated to Bob Lomauro, President and CEO of the Somerset Hills YMCA, who will be retiring later this year.

Spirit Award Recipients are:  Justin Sontupe, Morristown, Special Needs Camp Assistant who will be presented with the Youth Award; Bob Baker, Bernardsville, Risk Management Committee, and Rachael Horowitz, Bernardsville, SNAP Assistant Coordinator, with the Adult Award; Dave and Marian DeSimone, Bernardsville, with the Family Award; Don Kuhn, Morristown, Aquatics/Program Cabinet with the Senior Award; Lauren Luik, Whitehouse Station, Katie Borghese, Far Hills, Laura Brucker, Califon, Meg Catalano, Califon, Mary Chandor, Little Compton, RI (formerly of Bernardsville), Morgan Cicchetti, Basking Ridge, Gail Granowitz, Basking Ridge, Kelly Ketterson, Califon, Amy Storm-Melick, Basking Ridge, Jaimie Morais, Far Hills, Mary Waldbauer, Mendham, & Judi Logan Welch, Basking Ridge, with the Group Award; Art Raynes, Basking Ridge, with the Leadership Award; Julie Vagelos, Warren, Dance Team/Program Cabinet/ Strong Kids Team, with the Living Our Cause Award; Fox Stoddard, Basking Ridge, with the Lifetime Achievement Award; Daniel Homan, Basking Ridge, Aquatics Assistant and Edda Then, Bernardsville, Office/Special Events Assistant, with the Ray of Light Award.

Nominees meeting the following criteria were invited to apply -- impacts and helps foster the Y’s mission, goals and objectives; demonstrates exceptional commitment, service, creativity, cooperation or leadership; serves as a role model for others; exemplifies caring, honesty, respect and responsibility; has been committed to volunteer efforts for a significant length of time.

The Somerset Hills YMCA is committed to recognizing outstanding volunteer service and to celebrating the selfless spirit in which volunteerism is offered. Volunteers are the heart of the Y. Their contributions have enriched lives, enhanced the Y and have made many programs and services available that would not otherwise exist. For more information, please contact Sylvia Velez on 908.630.3530 or svelez@somersethillsymca.org.

The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body.  We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.