YMCA to honor ‘Hometown Heroes’

Each morning Brian Cawley walks a mile from his home to the Greater Pittston YMCA. He greats staff and members with a bright smile as he quietly cleans the Fitness Center at the Pittston organization.

It is not a paid position. Instead, Cawley has opted to donate his time every weekday morning for years to help the YMCA. His work has not gone unnoticed.

Cawley will be honored by the Greater Pittston YMCA Board of Directors on Tuesday, November 17, at the organization’s Annual Dinner Meeting at Mohegan Sun.

“Brian signifies what the YMCA stands for: family and community,” said Tina Fisher, YMCA executive director. “I am honored to know Brian. He is an asset to our organization.”

The theme of the 2009 Tribute Dinner – An Evening of Honors, is “We Are Community.” Cawley, along with Pennsylvania State Trooper Robert Lombardo, Michael Fino of the YMCA, and Greater Pittston Ambulance and Rescue and Pittston City’s Police and Fire departments, will be honored.

“All of our honorees dedicate their lives to making our community safer,” said Fisher. “They exemplify our community.”

Mohegan Sun and local businesses and community members are sponsoring the event. The dinner is the YMCA’s major fundraiser for its Annual Strong Kids Campaign.

Money raised from the event will be used to help less fortunate individuals attend programs and obtain memberships at the organization.

“I personally guarantee that one hundred percent of your donation will go directly to the programs provided to the children and families here at the Y,” said Fisher.

The mission of the YMCA is to “put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.” It has been a tradition of the organization to offer financial assistance in the forms of scholarships.

Fisher and board members, John Joyce, Connie Pheiff, and Tabitha Klush, have been working for months to make this year’s event a success.

“There are many reasons to support your local YMCA,” said Pheiff. “The YMCA is always there when needed.”

Mike Lombardo, director of the Governor’s Northeast Regional Office and former Pittston Mayor, is the keynote speaker for Tuesday’s event. Attorney Gene Sperazza, board member, is the master of ceremonies.

Individuals interested in attending Tuesday’s Tribute Dinner can call Laura Cowher at 655-2255 ext. 103 or email at lcowher@greaterpittstonymca.org. Tickets are $35.

The Pittston Community Partner Award will honor the Uniform City of Pittston Ambulance, Fire & Police Deparments.

PD Upcoming Events

Annual dinner-meeting Tuesday at Mohegan Sun

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