Community Leaders Recognized At Hockomock Area YMCA Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Hockomock Area YMCA was held on May 15 at Lake Pearl in Wrentham. After the business meeting, several members of the community received awards in recognition of their service and commitment to the Y and their communities. Award winners included Donna Spigarolo, SAFE Coalition, Blair Deeney, Madison Jankowski, Tanner Cross, Sam Melo, Jay Barrows, and CVS Health.

CVS Health received this year’s Chair’s Award. This award recognizes outstanding leadership, dedication, and passion working with the Hockomock Area YMCA and to enrich the quality of life in the community. The company, based in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, has had a major impact on the communities in its area. 
 

CVS Health

Faith Weiner, senior director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy, spoke on behalf of CVS Health and said, “Through the Y’s support we have been meeting with leaders across the region and delivering programs that really drive impact across the state. We believe in helping people on their path to better health. We believe in building healthier communities. We can’t think of anyone we would rather partner with than the Hockomock Area YMCA.”

SAFE Coalition Inc. was the recipient of the Franklin Branch Red Triangle Award. SAFE Coalition Inc. is an organization based in Franklin that focuses on supporting families and individuals in their community that have been effected by the opioid crisis and other substance abuse related disorders. 
 

SAFE Coalition

Upon accepting the award, SAFE Coalition President, Jennifer Levine, commented on their partnership with the YMCA and said, “The YMCA gave us a space for all of these programs to exist when the majority of folks in the community had a really challenging time saying, ‘Yes we support the opioid crisis.’ I cannot stress enough how supportive and how many opportunities the partnership with the YMCA has created for those in our communities to be in recovery, to sustain recovery, to learn about recovery, and to gain the skills and opportunities to be successful members of our community.”

Tanner Cross

Tanner Cross was the recipient of the Bernon Family Branch in Franklin Youth of the Year Award. Tanner, a Bellingham resident, is a staff member in the gymnastics department. Tanner shared, “The best thing about the YMCA is that everyone is welcome. Diversity helps us all to understand one another; it enriches our community.”

Jay Barrows, a Massachusetts State Representative and Mansfield resident, was the recipient of the Character Counts Award. This award recognizes an individual with outstanding efforts in the community while instilling the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. 

Board of Director Greg Spier presented the award to Jay and said, “He is our state representative but really so much more. He is a man of compassion, a man of principle, a man of values, a man dedicated to the community, and a man dedicated to this Hockomock Area YMCA.” Jay Barrows says, “I marvel at the Y’s initiatives. They go hand in hand with building community. As a state representative, you represent everyone in the community, and so does the Y. There is no litmus test at the Y. The subtle way we care is remarkable – no boasting, just helping.”

Lillian Kimball

Lillian Kimball, a resident of Mendon, was this year’s recipient of the Dean College YMCA Scholarship Award. This full tuition scholarship is given to one high school senior who will be attending Dean College in the fall. 

Lillian commented on her award saying, “My involvement in the YMCA Leaders group throughout high school has made a significant impact on my life and character. It has helped me prepare for my next chapter at Dean College. I am sure Dean is the right place for me and I am very eager to make the YMCA, Dean College, and my family proud of how I will represent them and myself at Dean.”

About Hockomock Area YMCA:

Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.

Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.