YMCA Recognizes Local Volunteers Who Go Above and Beyond
Featured, In The News, Special Events, Stories and VideosJune 14, 2018
PRESS RELEASE
The Treasure Valley Family YMCA (Y) has awarded four individuals with awards for their years of volunteerism and service to the local Y and the community. These awards were presented at the Y’s 127th Annual Meeting on June 6 at the Grove Hotel, an event that brought people together to celebrate the 174th birthday of the international YMCA and recognized the volunteers who help make it possible.
VERN EMERY AWARD
The Board of Directors of the Y established the Vern Emery Award in 1991 in memory and honor of former Y Executive Director Vern Emery’s long-term leadership of this community’s YMCA. It is presented annually to an outstanding volunteer leader based upon the following criteria:
• Long-term service to the Y and the community-at-large
• Former Service-to-Youth Award recipient
• Must demonstrate the personal qualities so characteristic of Vern, including caring, compassion, strong leadership and initiative, optimistic, positive attitude, sense of humor, ability to be a role model, ability to praise and build self-esteem in others, and ability to be a friend to all
This year, the Vern Emery Award is being given to long-time Y Board Members and community advocates, Janie and Mike Groff.
Janie and Mike have been involved with the Caldwell YMCA from the earliest days. They were instrumental in the vision to build a facility for youth and families. They have served extensively on YMCA committees, including the Caldwell YMCA Steering Committee, Caldwell YMCA Advisory Committee, and the Board of Directors. Over the years the Groffs have provided critical leadership on the YMCA Leadership Circle, working with others to raise funds for operation and financial assistance so no one is turned away. They have generously donated to the Y’s Annual Campaign, Capital Campaign, and endowment while also donating their time volunteering on the front line, doing everything from landscape work to awarding medals to YMCA race participants. To learn more about the Groffs and their positive impact on our community, watch their Vern Emery Award video.
SERVICE TO YOUTH AWARDS
In addition to the aforementioned awards, the Y is presenting three committed Y volunteers with the Service to Youth Award, an honor that is presented annually to individuals who have gone above and beyond over the years to help develop Treasure Valley Youth. The 2018 recipients are:
Tom Corrick, Boise Cascade Company
Recognized for helping communities grow stronger together through many years of service on the Y’s Human Resources Committee and securing and providing support and materials to the new South Meridian YMCA at The Hill
ElJay Waite, Caldwell’s Urban Renewal Agency
Recognized for his work orchestrating capital funding for the Caldwell YMCA
Heather Sabala, US Bank
Recognized for her many years of volunteering on the Y’s Board of Directors, Human Resource Committee, and as an Annual Campaign Chair