On Thursday evening, May 20, YMCA volunteers, staff, friends and family gathered at the Crescenta-Cañada facility to celebrate the presentation of the 2009-10 volunteer awards.

Established in 1989, the Pat Aho Volunteer of the Year Award is dedicated to former staff member and current board member Pat Aho. This award recognizes individuals and couples who donate their time and talent to the YMCA of the Foothills. Last year’s recipient Norma Klingensmith was on hand to present this year’s award to La Cañada Flintridge resident Bruce Waggoner.

Waggoner has been a volunteer at the 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,” he said. Waggoner can trace his connection to the YMCA back to his days at the Norfolk, Nebraska facility where he began his coaching career. His dedication to the sport continued as he earned his graduate degree at the University of Colorado and while working at JPL.

Pat Aho and Bruce were also presented with the President’s Call to Service Lifetime Achievement Award. Other winners of the President’s Award are Adam Berkley, Alex Karayan, Megan Gilbaugh, Claudia Moreira, Eleanor Lamm, Josh Lev, Christ Ordookhanian, Dianne Osburn, Laura Swatek and John Wray.

Receiving the Governor’s and First Lady Volunteer Award were Trisha Dizon, Alex Deravanessian, Rebecca Herrera, Emilie Karimian, Lisa Kellog, Erin Levoir, Lowell Meyer and Ailyn Ramos.

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. For information about volunteering at the YMCA, contact Mary Jane Snyder, director of Volunteer Services at (818) 790-0123 ext. 261 or maryjane@ymcafoothills.org.

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