YMCA Honors Its Volunteer of the Year Award Recipients
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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Berkshire Family YMCA named Matthew J. Scarafoni as the recipient of the J. Edward Dery Volunteer of the Year award and Lenny Light as the recipient of the G. Fred Links Award at its annual meeting on Feb. 28.
The two awards are given annually to the YMCA volunteers that best exemplify the spirit of the late J. Edward Dery and G. Fred Lincks.
Ed, as his friends called him, took on the leadership role during the fundraising and construction of the 1981 addition that effectively transformed the current downtown building and its ability to serve the community. After his death in 1989 this award was created to honor the legacy of modern facilities, effective volunteer leadership, and the example that any goal can be attained through hard work, commitment and diligence.
Fred also provided outstanding leadership in his time as a liaison for the Pittsfield YMCA and WWII prisoners of war and their families
"Those who have met or worked alongside Matt and Len would describe them as men of action," Berkshire Family YMCA CEO Randy Kinnas said. "Matt chaired the 2017 Annual Campaign and by far raised more money than has ever been raised in any other previous Annual Campaign effort. In addition, he led the initiative to not only save, but also expand and develop, some of the athletic programs offered at the Pittsfield Catholic Youth Center through partnerships with the YMCA. Matt is currently leading the effort to redevelop the Y’s Pittsfield branch building on North Street to accommodate an indoor track and wellness center as well as changing the façade of the existing structure to glass. He is very involved in many areas, and we could not be happier to have him as a part of the YMCA team of dedicated volunteers. Len as the chair of the board had led the Y in strategic initiatives that have made the Y more relevant in the community. Those initiatives include a robust strategic plan, an agreement to rent the Ponterril property to a solar company and the permanent partnership of the Northern Berkshire YMCA with the Pittsfield Family YMCA."
Both Scarafoni and Light grew up in Pittsfield, attended local schools and have made a living right here in the Berkshires with their families and continue to support our communities.
Additional awards presented include:
* Youth Development Award presented to Pat and Bob LeClair for supporting local youth in Northern Berkshire.
* Healthy Living Award presented to Pittsfield YMCA Masters Swim team for their volunteer-led free adult swim lesson program in April each year.
* Social Responsibility Award presented to Linda O’Brien and Ashley Alter from Martino Glass for being focused on supporting families.
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