YMCA Holds Awards Breakfast

Pictured are Richard Castina, President and CEO George Leonhardt and Kerry Payne of Bradford Regional Medical Center, YMCA CEO Jake Steger, Don Fredeen and Dr. Jafar Hamidi. BRMC and Hamidi, received George G. Blaisdell Community Service Awards during Thursday's annual awards breakfast. Fredeen, who is also president of the Olean-Bradford Area YMCA, received the Volunteer of the Year Award.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director

Don Fredeen received the volunteer of the year award during the 16th Annual Bradford Family YMCA Community Awards Breakfast – and second annual meeting of the Olean-Bradford Area YMCA

Norman Moore, vice president of the Y said picking this year's recipient was easy.

"We're really saluting him today for the activities that he has performed and the stature with which he has handled a very difficult situation and that is, of course, the time we were conceiving the idea of a merger between the two Ys," Moore said.

Fredeen is the first president of the new association and, Moore said, "he led us for the last two years effectively to bring this organization along the path."

He added that it's "critical to consider not only what he's done, but what he's done essentially on his own strengths and merits as an individual. It's really been remarkable."

"As far as I'm concerned, he deserves probably more than just this award. He is the right leader in the right job at the right time," Moore said.

In accepting the award, Fredeen said it's "amazing how much of (the Y) is run by volunteers. So many people make it all come together. For me, it's a real a pleasure to be associated with such a vital, important and positive organization in the community."

"I've always considered volunteerism to be one of the best programs the Y has to offer," he added. "You may not think of it as a program, but it does afford so many opportunities for learning, personal growth, developing new friendships and, of course, service to the community."

"The people in this particular organization – there just aren't enough superlatives to describe the incredible talent and dedication they have," he said.

Also this morning, Dr. Jafar Hamidi and Bradford Regional Medical Center were presented with the 2009 George G. Blaisdell YMCA Community Service Awards.

Jennifer Lau of Bradford High, Jessica and Reba Higley of Otto-Eldred Junior Senior High School, Jordan Stehle of Port Allegany, Kayla Carr of Smethport and Tawnee Cunningham of Kane received the 2009 Ray C. Uhler YMCA Outstanding Youth Awards.

Tynan Shannon, a YMCA Strong Kid, made the introductions.

John Sheehan, Branch Executive Director, also honored the Bradford YMCA Barracuda Swim Team, which sent 24 swimmers to districts, 21 to states and broke 13 records.

"We make champions," he said.

Adam Barnes, one of the record-breaking champions, told the gathering he's not sure he would possess the moral and ethical values he has if he wasn't involved with the Y.