On October 19, the YMCA of the East Bay celebrated their 137th Annual Meeting and “Building Unity in the Community” Volunteer Recognition Ceremony at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland. KRON 4’s own Terisa Estacio co-hosted the event that recognized distinguished volunteers from the Y and other organizations throughout the East Bay.
Celebrating their focus on social responsibility, the Y presented several “DIFFY” (You Are the Difference) awards. The DIFFY award is the highest honor the YMCA of the East Bay gives to recognize their most impactful volunteers. DIFFY award winners demonstrate a selfless commitment to serving our community and creating real, lasting personal and social change.
“DIFFY” (You Are the Difference) honors were awarded to:
- Kirby Belger from the Hilltop Family YMCA
- Jaclyn Provencher & Kyle Boos from the Tri-Valley YMCA
- Crystal “Mocha” Copes from YMCA Camp Ravencliff
- Tina Higashi from the YMCA at Camp Arroyo
- Iris Link from the Fremont/Newark YMCA
- Natalie Mills from the EM Downer Family YMCA
- Tonya Richardson from the Eden Area YMCA
- Robert “Seraph” White from YMCA Camp Loma Mar
- Karen Wong from the Downtown Oakland YMCA
The YMCA of the East Bay also recognizes some of their most outstanding youth leaders. These young agents of change stand out amongst their peers as positive, compassionate and dedicated community members.
The YMCA of the East Bay’s Youth of Character include:
- Devin Alexander from the M. Robinson Baker YMCA
- Loren Curry from the Tri-Valley YMCA
- Ana Dixon from the Downtown Oakland YMCA
- Jasmine Fallaha from the Hilltop Family YMCA
- Nikhil George from the Fremont/Newark YMCA
- Sarah “Snake” Passannante from YMCA Camp Loma Mar
- Sherria Rice from the EM Downer Family YMCA
- Vilisoni “Mew” Taufa from YMCA Camp Ravencliff
- Elisa Vigil from the Eden Area YMCA
Other East Bay Community Partners & Their Volunteers honored, include:
- South Alameda County Region Community Partner: CarMax
- YMCA Camping Services Community partner: Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension
- West Contra Costa Region Community Partner: West Contra Costa Unified School District
- YMCA of the East Bay Community Partner: KRON 4 for their work with Habitat for Humanity & their work directly supporting the YMCA of the East Bay
- EM Downer Family YMCA Community Partner: Oakland Athletics
- Oakland Athletics Volunteers of Character: Bryant & Justine Sharifi
- Metropolitan Oakland Region Community Partner: Oakland Unified School District Office of Expanded Learning
- OUSD Volunteer of Character: Grace Persico
(Photos by Stephen Texeira)
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