The YMCA of the Foothills is a volunteer-founded, volunteer-led, community-based organization. Each year, YMCA volunteers contribute thousands of hours helping the YMCA of the Foothills build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Whether you want to assist people to improve the overall quality of their wellness, support and mentor children and youth as they grow into adults, assist the branch staff with administrative duties, help plan branch events, or simply find a group of neighbors you can connect with - the YMCA has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities to match your passions, skills and schedule.
Benefits of Volunteering
Volunteering is more than just sharing your time and passions. It is about the satisfaction of knowing you are helping people, helping your community and gaining valuable work experience that will enhance your career path. Here are a few of the many benefits you will receive by being a YMCA volunteer: Make new friends from all walks of life, become part of an organization that has over 150 years of service to communities all over the world learn new skills, increase your and enhance leadership skills, and gain hours toward your community service requirement. Interested? Contact Mary Jane Snyder, Director of Volunteer Services and become involved!
Awards and Recognition
Pat Aho Volunteer of the Year Award was established in 1989 and dedicated to Pat Aho, a former staff member and volunteer who is currently serving on the Board of Directors. This award recognizes individuals and couples who donate their time and talents to the YMCA.
The 2010 Pat Aho Volunteer of the Year Award recipient is Bruce Waggoner. Bruce has been a volunteer at the Crescenta-Canada Family YMCA since 1988 and has been coaching gymnastics for 27 years! "Coaching is fun, rewarding and exciting! I always have a good end to my day when I coach". Bruce explains "For me, it is a combination of loving kids and loving gymnastics that makes volunteering at the YMCA so special". In his "down" time, Bruce is a spacecraft sequence engineer at JPL. In addition to gymnastics, Bruce enjoys genealogy, astronomy, hiking, gardening and spending time with his wife, Dr. Anna-Marie Aquinaldo.
Congratulations, Bruce! The YMCA is privileged to have you dedicate your time and talents to our members and community.
1989 Peggy Croxen
1990 John Ehret
1991 Nell Wells
1992 Edie Livingood
1993 Barbara Sheahan (In Memory)
1994 Patrick Mulcahy
1995 Heather and Paul Haaga
1996 Fred Engler
1997 Jim Domian
1998 Sue Shanley
Chris Burrows (In Memory)
1999 James Du Bois
2000 Neil Brockmeyer
2001 Timothy MacDonald
2005 Kirk and Marjory Dawson
2009 Norma Klingensmith
2010 Bruce Waggoner (photographed above with Pat Aho)
Presidential Volunteer Service
The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers make to our communities and to encourage more volunteer service in our country. This award is a way to "thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service." The YMCA of the Foothills is proud to in this outstanding program and recognizes volunteer hours over a 12 month period. For more information about the program and award, contact Mary Jane Snyder, Director of Volunteer Services.
2010 Award Recipients
Pat Aho President's Call to Service, Lifetime Achievement Award
Bruce Waggoner President's Call to Service Award
Gold Award Christ Ordookhanian
Silver Award Adam Berkley
Silver Award John Wray
Bronze Award Claudia Moreira
Bronze Award Alex Karayan
Bronze Award Eleanor Lamm
Bronze Award Josh Lev
Bronze Award Dianne Osburn
Bronze Award Laura Swatek
Bronze Award Barbara Wilson
Governor's and First Lady's Volunteer Award
Presented to those who volunteer 50 hours or more in a given year.
The 2010 recipients are Alex Deravanessian, Trisha Dizon, Rebecca Herrera, Emilie Karimian, Lisa Kellogg, Erin Levoir, Lowell Meyer and Ailyn Ramos.