The Hamilton Area YMCA honored Frank Lucchesi , Pasquale “Pat” Colavita and Cablevision at its annual Spring Fling June 12 at The Stone Terrace.
In addition to honoring volunteers and those who provide financial support, the Y announced a partnership with the National Inclusion Project.
The Spring Fling celebrates individuals and companies who have contributed to the Hamilton Area YMCA by giving of their time, talents and treasure. The Y named Lucchesi its Man of the Year, Colavita its Everyday Hero and Cablevision its Community Enrichment Award Recipient.
Proceeds from this year’s beach themed fling, which hosted nearly 300 community leaders and influential guests, are set to benefit the Hamilton Area YMCA Financial Assistance Program. Financial Assistance allows the Y to provide programs like school aged child care, Y-Connection, Delay the Disease, SKOR, and day camp to families who cannot afford them on their own.
“This year’s honorees exemplify how truly important volunteers and donors are to our organization. It is the collaboration of volunteers, staff, our Board of Directors and our members that allow the Hamilton Area YMCA to continue to impact our community in positive ways,” CEO James Fell said in a statement.
This spring, the Y partnered with the National Inclusion Project to implement Let’s ALL Play—Inclusion in Recreational Programs. The partnership will allow children with disabilities to enjoy successful recreational experiences in an inclusive setting.
As part of this initiative, the National Inclusion Project provides a program model, training, expertise, and an award of $8,000.
NIP was co-founded in 2003 by entertainer Clay Aiken, and works to bridge the gap between young people with disabilities and the world around them by opening doors for all children to be included together, primarily achieved through recreational programs and training to make after school programs, summer camps and classroom activities inclusive for all children.
Its Let’s ALL Play program is a research-validated national model funded by NIP that brings an inclusive recreational experience to children with disabilities by giving them the same experience as children without disabilities. Over the last three years, NIP has provided training, curriculum, and support to YMCAs, JCCs, Boys & Girls Clubs, 4H, CampFire USA, and other community organizations.
In 2014, NIP is partnering with 92 recreational programs in 36 states. Teaming with The Hamilton Area YMCA is another exciting step toward their goal of full inclusion.
“We feel that working with The Hamilton Area YMCA will help us further our mission to open doors in communities nationwide for children with disabilities to experience everything life has to offer,” executive director Jerry Aiken said in a statement.
More information is online at hamiltonymca.org.
