Jacqueline Olmsted and Mark Dengler were named the Man and Woman Volunteer of the Year during the Baldwinsville Volunteer Center’s (BVC) annual awards ceremony held this past Saturday at Pucello’s Restaurant.
Every year, the BVC accepts nominations to determine who has graciously given their time through volunteering for organizations within the greater Baldwinsville community and beyond. Other than family and friends, who are notified so they can surprise the recipients, the identity of the Man and Woman of the Year are kept secret until the awards ceremony. The recognition dates back to 1961.
Dengler, who volunteers for the YMCA, Grace Episcopal Church and supports the Baldwinsville Center for the Arts, was surprised to learn he was being honored. “Thank you all very much,” he said.
When Olmsted realized she had been chosen as the Woman Volunteer of the Year, she began to tear up. Upon accepting her award, she said “I love what I do, giving back is most rewarding.”
The BVC also presented a Benefactor Appreciation Award to the CNY Family Sports Centre for their support of the organization. For the past five years, Pete Ramin, owner of the center, has donated use of the facility on Jones Road for the BVC’s annual fundraiser, the Taste of Baldwinsville. Megan O’Donnell, who presented the award on behalf of the BVC, said Ramin is an incredible supporter of the event, sacrificing revenues and donating not only the space, but items for the event’s auction. Pete’s son, Jon, accepted the award on behalf of his father saying, “We are very happy to support the Volunteer Center and look forward to hosting it for many years in the future.
To see more photos of the event, check out the Baldwinsville Messenger Facebook page at facebook.com/baldwinsvillemessenger.
