2025 VSA Journal by Volunteer New York!

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE CHAMPIONS

Transforming Sponsors

Mobilizing Sponsors

Inspiring Sponsors

Facilitating Sponsors

7:30 AM . . .

8:30 AM . . .

EVENT PROGRAM

REGISTRATION OPENS

BREAKFAST AND PROGRAM

CO-HOSTS

Katie Pfeifer, Senior Director of Programs

Dylan Pyne, Senior Director of Development

GREETINGS

Suzanne Tillman, Interim Executive Director

PRESENTING SPONSOR REMARKS

Regeneron

AWARD PRESENTATIONS

QUALITY OF LIFE AWARD

Chivas Wakuta

Presented by PCSB Community Foundation

RESILIENCY AWARD

Najib and Freshta

Presented by WMCHealth

LEGACY AWARD

Volunteer New York! for 75 Years of Impact

Presented by Ken Jenkins, Westchester County Executive

CALL TO ACTION

Alisa H. Kesten & Joanna Straub, Benefit Committee Co-Chairs

SOCIAL ADVOCACY AWARD

Paul Adler, Esq.

Presented by United Way of Westchester and Putnam

YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD

Christian and Rowan Dias

Presented by PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP

EDUCATION & LITERACY AWARD

Kimberly Janeway

Presented by The Seiden Family

KEYNOTE

Jennifer Sirangelo, CEO of the Points of Light Foundation

10:00 AM . . .

COFFEE, CONNECTIONS, AND PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE LEGACY SUITE

PRESENTING SPONSOR

AWARD SPONSORS

The Seiden Family

SILVER SPONSOR

The Gallin Family

BRONZE SPONSOR

SCF Wealth Management Group

UBS Financial Services Inc.

LEGACY TABLE SPONSORS

BROWN & BROWN

CELIA & LARRY BROWN

CUDDY & FEDER, LLP

HER HONOR MENTORING

TWO MINUTE PLEDGE SPONSOR

The Kesten Family The Kesten Family

ACCESSIBILITY SPONSOR

PEN SPONSOR

MONTEFIORE - NYACK HOSPITAL

SUNY WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION

THE SONET FAMILY

TECHCXO

GERRYLYN WILLIAMS

*as of 3/21/2025

FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2025 7:30-11

Ahearty welcome to this morning’s 45th Annual Volunteer New York! Volunteer Spirit Awards, and to our milestone 75th Anniversary Celebration. While my time with Volunteer New York! is limited— the Board is actively conducting a search for our next Executive Director, with a goal of having them in place by summer — I’m especially honored to lead the organization, alongside Senior Director of Programs Katie Pfeifer and Senior Director of Development Dylan Pyne, during this landmark year.

Volunteer New York! was founded 75 years ago to mobilize our community to address our greatest challenges. Last year we supported more than 300 nonpro ts by inspiring 35,000 volunteers to contribute 457,000 hours of service. Remarkably, these e orts generated the economic equivalent of $16.9 million in value back into our community.

We honor all of this year’s nominees and are thrilled to celebrate, with each and every person in this room, our region’s standout category award winners who exemplify the power of volunteerism.

I am con dent you will leave today inspired and reminded about the goodness of people and why volunteerism and civic engagement are essential. Today, and every day, Volunteer New York! is here to help you get o the sidelines and turn your good intentions into action. Let’s build a more vibrant, resilient, and equitable community — together.

Suzanne Tillman Interim Executive Director, Volunteer New York!

VOLUNTEER NEW YORK! MOBILIZES OUR COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS ITS GREATEST CHALLENGES

Onbehalf of the Board of Directors at Volunteer New York!, I extend our heartfelt gratitude for the ood of support and good wishes as we celebrate our 75th anniversary this morning.

e 2025 Legacy Award honors not only our organization’s 75 years of impact on the region, but also the 75 years of impact of countless volunteers, partners, sta , and supporters who have driven our mission forward. ank you for joining us at this year’s Volunteer Spirit Awards — the largest public celebration of this 75th anniversary milestone.

As we advance our new strategic plan and begin the search for our next Executive Director, this anniversary is both a tribute to our past and a steppingstone toward our future. Looking ahead to the next 75 years, we remain dedicated to forging vital pathways for volunteers and nonpro ts to strengthen our communities. e Legacy Award is a tribute to every person who has contributed to our journey and an invitation to join us as we shape the future. After all, the best way to honor our past is to move forward, together.

Congratulations are also due to all our Volunteer Spirit Award category winners. We are delighted to celebrate our 45th Annual Volunteer Spirit Awards with you. ank you for all you do for our community.

As you leave today, I hope you feel inspired to support our mission with your time, talents, and resources — especially at a time when our community needs it more than ever.

ank you for joining us in this celebration of community and volunteerism.

Sincerely,

Michael Welling Board Chair, Volunteer New York!

QUALITY OF LIFE AWARD

Chivas Wakuta

One Sandwich at a Time

Presented by PCSB Community Foundation

Chivas Wakuta may have come a long distance geographically from his native Hawai’i, but the lessons he learned there have stayed close to him. Chivas remembers walking on the roads and the beaches near his Kauai town with his aunt, who would always bring along a bag to collect any trash they found along the way. Even as a child, Chivas understood that small acts, like picking up litter, could make a meaningful di erence in the community, and he has continued to put that belief into practice as an adult.

While attending college in California, Chivas’ roommates encouraged him to join them in volunteering at a shelter to prepare breakfast. Initially hesitant about waking up at 4 a.m. on a weekend, he quickly became hooked, discovering that volunteering could be both social and impactful. After also attending graduate school in California, Chivas moved to New York to begin a career with Westchester-based biotechnology company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Fifteen years later, he now directs the program management of developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and auditory disorders.

Chivas continued his volunteer work through Regeneron’s many community programs. In fact, it was through Regeneron’s partnership with Volunteer New York! that he began his “life-changing” involvement with One Sandwich at a Time. Knowing Chivas was eager to deepen his commitment to an organization, a colleague encouraged him to attend Volunteer New York!’s Board Boot Camp. During the program’s board matching event, called Board Speed Dating, Chivas met Erin Dinan, Co-Founder of One Sandwich at a Time, and learned about the organization’s mission.

Chivas recalls having a “lightbulb moment,” realizing that the organization’s ideals aligned perfectly with a lesson his aunt had taught him: even a small action can create a big impact. After joining One Sandwich at a Time’s board in 2019, Chivas continued the hands-on work of making sandwiches — sometimes with a group, and sometimes at home. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he ramped up his e orts, preparing as many as 200 sandwiches a week and personally delivering them to various shelters.

Chivas believes in the di erence that just one sandwich can make: a kindness that impacts one person directly while also building momentum for others to join. He says that “there is strength in serving people,” and he has certainly demonstrated that strength — one sandwich at a time.

RESILIENCY AWARD

Najib & Freshta

Open Arms for Refugees

Presented by WMCHealth

Najib and Freshta have endured unimaginable journeys of survival, each eeing Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control in 2021. ough their backgrounds and experiences di er, they have shared a common purpose since resettling in Westchester: they have devoted themselves to giving back, inspired by the kindness they received upon their arrival.

Najib hails from Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul, and was trained as a geotechnical engineer. Even as a student, he was an active volunteer, raising money to help alleviate hunger in various countries. Later, Najib was instrumental in e orts to preserve Afghan culture by organizing festivals, concerts, and other events to “show the world a culture of peace.”

Freshta grew up in a small Afghan village, where she de ed the odds as a young woman by completing college and becoming a lawyer dedicated to defending the rights of women and children. While in law school, her work in a program educating women about their rights put her amidst a bombing. ough the explosion left her severely injured, it didn’t dampen her resolve — she went on to nish her studies, achieve her dream of becoming a lawyer, and continue advocating for the rights of women and children.

Najib and Freshta each arrived in the United States following their respective harrowing journeys. One had to trek on foot across multiple countries, battling a life-threatening illness and debilitating weather conditions, while the other experienced homelessness due to bombings. Each struggled to survive, not knowing if they would ever see their families again. rough the kindness of strangers, both were able to make their way to the United States, eventually being connected to Open Arms for Refugees.

rough a budding network, Open Arms for Refugees was able to help Najib and Freshta settle into their new lives. ey learned how to speak English, found jobs, and found a place to live, all thanks to this new community. Inspired by their own experiences, Najib and Freshta quickly turned their journeys into stories of resilience — now as active volunteers with Open Arms for Refugees.

Najib says that “we received a lot of help, and I needed to give back.” Since arriving in Westchester, he has supported Open Arms for Refugees by identifying families in need of resettlement, coordinating logistics, providing translation, and working to ensure that newcomers feel at home. Freshta, the rst refugee welcomed by Open Arms, became its rst refugee volunteer and later a board member. She has channeled her passion for advocacy into helping fellow refugees settle, translating for them, and o ering the small but meaningful gestures of kindness that she knows rsthand can make all the di erence.

SOCIAL ADVOCACY AWARD

Paul Adler, Esq.

NAACP – Nyack Branch

Presented by United Way of Westchester and Putnam

When Paul Adler, Esq. was young, his parents instilled in him the motto, “Don’t just be a joiner, be a doer.” Paul truly took this to heart, beginning with his rst volunteer experiences as a high schooler beautifying his West Nyack neighborhood on Earth Day. As an adult, Paul went on to dedicate both his professional career and his volunteering involvement to being “a doer,” working to improve the Rockland County community that he has called home his entire life.

Involvement with the NAACP – Nyack Branch began when Paul was just a young man. As the Chair of the Civic Engagement Committee, Paul has had a profound and lasting e ect on the organization’s work. Under his guidance, the committee has mobilized community members to address systemic issues, from voter engagement initiatives to advocating for legislative change, ensuring that underserved voices are not only heard but also ampli ed. His dedication to civic engagement has contributed to policy advancements and has nurtured a culture of active participation within the Rockland community for nearly 50 years.

As part of his NAACP volunteer role, Paul led an e ort to help incarcerated people exercise their right to vote by bringing registration forms to the jail and helping them request absentee ballots. Paul says that many people may not see this as a signi cant issue, but to him, “it’s about maintaining humanity.” Paul was also involved with a recent e ort to ensure that children in a disadvantaged Rockland County school district receive the education they are guaranteed by the state constitution. He organized busloads of students, clergy, and educators to visit the Capitol in Albany and demand changes. After being turned away once, the group was able to get the governor to agree to a monitor for the school district. Paul believes their success was due to the fact that he was able to bring people together to collaborate who normally wouldn’t have considered working together.

Trained as a lawyer, Paul currently serves as the Chief Strategy O cer for Rand Commercial Realty. In this capacity, he created the company’s motto: “Building Better Communities with Rand Commercial.” In keeping with his commitment to civic engagement, he believes that business, especially real estate, must have a broader view of how each transaction a ects the community.

Paul also serves on the boards of many other Rockland County organizations, including Monte ore-Nyack Hospital and, until recently, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. In his spare time, Paul’s favorite thing to do is to spend time with his wife, his ve children, and his four grandchildren.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD

Christian & Rowan Dias

Teenagers Rowan and Christian Dias have already made a meaningful impact on the world. As passionate lacrosse players practicing in their backyard, the boys noticed that their younger sister, Elle, who is neurodivergent, loved watching them but found it di cult to join in. Rowan and Christian realized that when they adjusted the game to meet her needs, she was able to participate. Inspired by this, they created their own program to teach her in a way that made her feel included.

Seeing how well Elle responded, they had an idea — what if they could help other children with special needs as well? With that thought, Able Athletics, Inc. (originally called Able Lacrosse) was born. ey began with just one young athlete. Rowan and Christian visited his home, brought him a small lacrosse stick, and worked through adaptive drills with the support of a therapist. e brothers carefully planned the sessions, while the therapist helped tailor the drills to the child’s needs.

As their program grew, they partnered with a local lacrosse coach, bringing in entire teams as volunteers. is expansion allowed more children to participate and bene t from inclusive sports. Over time, Able Athletics, Inc. broadened beyond lacrosse, adding multiple sports, multi-week sessions, and even tournaments. Some of their athletes have competed in national lacrosse and eld hockey tournaments, playing alongside both neurotypical children and other children with special needs. Rowan has also introduced Able Athletics, Inc. to his boarding school, bringing wheelchairs so that his classmates without disabilities could experience playing basketball from a di erent perspective.

Rowan and Christian note that Able Athletics, Inc. enriches not only the athletes but also the volunteers. Each volunteer completes an onboarding course that equips them with the skills to interact with the athletes and break down social barriers. At its heart, the organization is dedicated to fostering understanding and inclusion for people with special needs. e brothers especially love “seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces” — from the athletes and their parents to the volunteers who help make it all possible.

Looking ahead, Rowan and Christian dream of expanding the program’s reach, believing that “there are children with special needs everywhere” who could bene t from inclusive sports. ey envision a world where athletes like their sister feel accepted and valued, both in sports and in everyday life. Together, the brothers strive to inspire others to recognize that inclusion matters — and with each throw and catch, they are getting closer to making that vision a reality.

Able Athletics, Inc.

Presented by PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP

EDUCATION & LITERACY AWARD

Kimberly Janeway

Family Service Society of Yonkers (FSSY)

Presented by e Seiden Family

Kimberly Janeway’s life has come full circle. Her journey began with her immigrant grandmother, who made regular trips to the library with her when she was young, insisting that reading would be Kimberly’s “ticket out” of their working-class Pennsylvania town. And she was right. Kimberly attended college at Penn State and later earned a master’s degree in journalism. Today, she carries that same passion for literacy into her volunteer work, providing reading support for students at under-resourced schools through the Family Service Society of Yonkers.

Kimberly’s commitment to volunteerism dates back to high school, where she actively participated in social events for students with intellectual disabilities. Having a sister who also has intellectual disabilities, she understood the importance of fostering connections and found ful llment in helping others do the same. As a young professional in New York City, Kimberly dedicated time to a soup kitchen, drawn to the idea that people from all walks of life could come together to support those in need.

Years later during the COVID-19 pandemic, now retired from journalism and living in Westchester, Kimberly sought that sense of connection again — this time at a local food pantry. While rewarding, she missed being around children, who, she says, “energize me and give me hope.” is led her to begin tutoring students in reading, a role she has now embraced for several years. Today, she works one-on-one with six students, o ering both literacy support and, at times, emotional encouragement. Kimberly loves seeing the progress that her students make, some of them advancing from reading signi cantly below grade level to reading above their grade level! She nds it gratifying that her students are “laying the foundation of everything to come,” just as she did as a young reader.

Kimberly hopes her story inspires others to volunteer. She sees service not as a burden but as an opportunity, and she believes that everyone should nd a cause they’re passionate about and “pitch in.” As she puts it, “We’re planting seeds everywhere, and someday it will all blossom.”

When she’s not working with her students, Kimberly is an active volunteer with the Hastings-on-Hudson Historical Society. She also enjoys spending time with her son, watching her jazz musician husband perform, going to movies, cooking, and, of course, reading.

2025 LEGACY AWARD

Volunteer New York!

for 75 Years of Impact

Presented by Ken Jenkins, Westchester County Executive

is year, the Volunteer Spirit Awards also serves as Volunteer New York!’s 75th anniversary celebration. By honoring Volunteer New York! with the 2025 Legacy Award, we celebrate not just the organization itself, but the countless volunteers, partners, sta , and supporters who have fueled our mission over the past 75 years.

Volunteer New York!’s mission is to mobilize the communities of Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties to address its greatest challenges. We envision a community that is vibrant, resilient, and equitable, and believe volunteerism and civic engagement are critical strategies to achieve this vision. Last year alone, Volunteer New York! mobilized more than 35,000 volunteers, who contributed over 457,000 hours of service to 300 local nonpro ts — an economic value of $16.9 million reinvested into our community. e Legacy Award recognizes this impact and our ongoing commitment to strengthening our communities through service and civic engagement. With a new strategic plan and the search for our next Executive Director underway, this 75th anniversary is as much about looking toward our future as it is about celebrating our past.

We believe that volunteerism can be a catalyst for positive change and a force that brings people together to solve our most pressing issues. rough all of our programs, Volunteer New York! connects individuals to causes, communities, and each other — fostering purpose and belonging. As society’s challenges grow increasingly complex, volunteerism remains both a solution and a bridge, uniting diverse people to address urgent needs and strengthening the very fabric of our neighborhoods.

As we look ahead to the next 75 years, we are committed to creating even more vital pathways for volunteering and civic engagement, ensuring that nonpro ts and communities have the people power to strengthen their neighborhoods. e Legacy Award is a tribute to everyone who has played a role in this journey — and an invitation to join us in shaping the future. Because the best way to honor our past is to keep moving forward, together.

TEAM VOLUNTEER NEW YORK!

Interim Executive Director

Suzanne Tillman

Senior Director of Programs

Katie Pfeifer, MPP

Senior Director of Development

Dylan Pyne, MBA, CFRE

Director of Corporate Partnerships

Jennifer Machuca

Director of RSVP of Westchester

Guadalupe Fishman

Senior Manager of Community Engagement

Jessica Friedlander

Manager of Operations & Development

Natasha Weinstein

Manager of Corporate Partnerships

Carrie Nagel

Manager of Corporate Partnerships

Abby Fuirst

Manager of RISE Program

Patti Colombo, MS, CTRS

Manager of Community Engagement

Yaribeth Peralta, MS

Development Associate

Julie Byrne

Administrative Assistant

Gianna Mosca

LEADERSHIP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael Welling, Chair

Rosemary Byrnes, Vice Chair

Felix Tapia, Vice Chair

Grant Mitchell, M.D., Treasurer

Amy Seiden, Secretary

Carlos Andrade

Tara Fappiano

Joseph Farrenkopf

Ed Forbes

Joshua Gaccione

Phillip Ham

Lydia Kris

Ilene Levy

Carmen L. Martínez-López, PhD

Tanya Moximchalk

Christina Nash

Sean Nossel

Daniel Patrick

Robert Pisano, Jr.

Carla Rojas

Steve Sonet

Abbe P. Stein, Esq.

Deborah Z. Thomas

Geraldine Watson

Gerrylyn Williams

RSVP ADVISORY COUNCIL

Abbe P. Stein, Esq., Chair

Joan Harris, Vice Chair

Jacqueline Cannino, Secretary

Roddy Austin

Alan Bey

Deborah Disbro

Paul Ducker

Jill Harper

Lewis Koflowitz

Sharon McKenzie

Joseph Rodriquez

Francine Veron

VOLUNTEER SPIRIT AWARDS

STEERING COMMITTEE

Lydia Kris, Chair

Ilana Arbeit

Cathy Boyle

Karen Gabor

Joanne Kirkpatrick

Monica Martinez-Hess

Amy Seiden

Laura Romeo Sobel

Abbe P. Stein, Esq.

Christine Stufano

75TH ANNIVERSARY

BENEFIT COMMITTEE

Alisa H. Kesten, Co-Chair

Joanna Straub, Co-Chair

Joseph Ali

Gayle Binney

Deborah Blatt Celia Brown

James Burton

Betty Cotton

Bianca Di Salvo

Tony Fasciano

Deborah Fay

Ally & Tom Gallin

Jeanette Gisbert

Jennifer Gruenberg

Nikki Hahn

Kenny Herzog

Dale Hisiger

Ted Kesten

Joanne Kirkpatrick

Susan Kushner

Valerie Mason Cunningham

Matthew McCrosson

Wendy Nadel

Agnes Nowak

Joe Ricca

A. Douglas Rogers

Markham & Jody Rollins

Joan Rothman

Susan Russ

J. Loren Russell

Emily Saltzman

David Severance

Geri Shapiro

Nicole Sheindlin

Lynn Sobel

Elisabeth Vieselmeyer

AWARD JUDGES

Amy Allen

Patrick Bardsley

Tom Gabriel

Phillip Ham

Joseph Kenner

Michelle A. Nicholas

Kara Pacheco

Dan Patrick

Alessandra Restiano

Becky Silverstein

Linda Tyler

Lilian Wu

THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS

Volunteer New York! is extremely grateful to the following individuals for supporting our organization in immeasurable ways. Over the last year these volunteers used their professional skills, talents, and passions to help stretch our organizational capacity. Thank you!

Carlos Andrade

Susan Appel

Roddy Austin

Dana Belin

Alan Bey

Quinn Blaise

Cecelia Block

Cheryl Brandwein

David Brandwein

Rosemary Byrnes

Robert Caluori

Lauren Candela-Katz

Jacqueline Cannino

Beverly Carter

Liann Chao

Karen Cheeks-Lomax

Ian Ceppos

Mike Colombo

Jinja Cuevas

Deborah Disbrow

Paul Ducker

Joanne Dunn

Tara Fappiano

Ed Forbes

Josh Gaccione

Freddy Garcia

Alan Grotenstein

Phillip Ham

Jill Harper

Joan Harris

Susan Irvin

Lini Jacob

Patti Jewel

Helen Jonsen

Neal Keller

Alisa H. Kesten

Brendan Klein

Bob Knight

Lewis Koflowitz

Lydia Kris

Ilene Levy

Tyrha Lindsey

Carmen Martínez-López

Valerie Mason Cunningham

Sharon McKenzie

Hillary Millman

Jann Mirchandani

Grant Mitchell

Laura Newman

Michelle A. Nicholas

Nora Nicholson

Rachele Nicoletti

Daniel Patrick

Kate Persily

Margarita Pineiro

Moshe Rabinowitz

Micah Rapp

Emily Ressegue

David Ringler

Amy Rivera

Joseph Rodriguez

Rev. J. Loren Russell

Tania Savayan

Paul Schneiderman

Laurie Hirsch Schulz

Amy Seiden

Jason Senders

Barbara Shulman

Deborah Silverman

Jill Singer

Steven Sonet

Kristine Stallone

Haruko Stanton

Abbe P. Stein, Esq.

Christine Stufano

Sam Stuto

Francine Vernon

Chivas Wakuta

Wendy Weinstein

Michael Welling

Gerrylyn Williams

Anita Wilton

YAI RISE Volunteers

RISE Volunteers

Kevin Zapata

Carina Zegers

Charlie Zegers

Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led by physician-scientists, Regeneron’s unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to numerous FDA-approved treatments and product candidates in development, most of which were homegrown in Regeneron’s laboratories. Regeneron’s medicines and pipeline are designed to help people with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neurological diseases, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.

Regeneron believes that operating as a good corporate citizen is crucial to delivering on its mission. Regeneron approaches corporate responsibility with three goals in mind: to improve the lives of people with serious disease, to foster a culture of integrity and excellence to build sustainable communities. Regeneron is proud to be included on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and the Civic 50 list of the most “community-minded” companies in the U.S. Throughout the year, Regeneron empowers and supports employees to give back through its volunteering, pro-bono and matching gift programs. Regeneron’s most significant philanthropic commitments are in the area of early science education, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search and Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.

For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow Regeneron on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or X.

April 11, 2025

Dear Friends,

It is a privilege to send greetings to everyone attending the 45th Annual Volunteer Spirit Awards Ceremony hosted by Volunteer New York! Congratulations to this year's seven distinguished honorees: Kimberly Janeway, Education and Literacy Award recipient; Chivas Wakuta, Quality of Life Award recipient; Najib Arsalan and Freshta Nazari, Resiliency Award recipients; Paul Adler, Social Advocacy Award recipient; and Christan and Rowan Dias, Youth Leadership Award recipients.

I am grateful to organizations like Volunteer New York! for providing New Yorkers of all ages with opportunities to engage in community service. Established in 1950 as the Volunteer Service Bureau of Westchester, Volunteer New York! continues toconnectthousands of peopleto local food pantries, child and elder care centers, transportation services and other community-based organizations throughout the Lower Hudson Valley. I commend all the volunteers here today for your dedication to uplifting your fellowNew Yorkers.It is my sincere hope that your steadfast efforts will inspire others to enact positive change in their own communities.

Once again, congratulations to the honorees fortheir incredible achievements. Please accept my best wishes for a wonderful event and many more years of continued success.

Sincerely,

Kirsten Gillibrand United States Senator

Kenneth W. Jenkins

Westchester County Executive

Dear Friends,

It is my honor to send welcome greetings to everyone attending Volunteer New York!’s 75th Anniversary Celebration, and the 2025 Volunteer Spirit Awards This year, Volunteer New York! selected seven local volunteers who have stood out above the rest from the business, nonprofit and public sectors, for making a significant impact in their communities.

Congratulations to the following distinguished honorees: Kimberly Janeway, Education & Literacy Award for Family Service Society of Yonkers; Chivas Wakuta, Quality of Life Award for One Sandwich at a Time; Najib Arsalan and Freshta Nazari, Resiliency Award for Open Arms for Refugees; Paul Adler, Esq., Social Advocacy Award for NAACP Nyack Branch; Christian and Rowan Dias, Youth Leadership Award for Able Athletics, Inc.; and Volunteer New York! who is being honored with the 2025 Legacy Award, for 75 years of service as the epicenter of volunteerism in the Hudson Valley.

Volunteer New York! is more than deserving of this year’s Legacy Award. In just the past year alone, Volunteer New York! has mobilized more than 35,000 volunteers, who contributed over 457,000 hours of service, to 300 local nonprofits — equating to $16.9 million being reinvested back into our communities. We recognize Volunteer New York! for being a catalyst for positive change, and a force that brings thousands together to inspire, uplift and strengthen our spirit of community engagement.

On behalf of Westchester County, I applaud today’s seven honorees who have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to public service. We commend Volunteer New York! for 75 years of service, allowing individuals to give back to their communities, make a positive impact on others, and improve their sense of purpose. As we look forward to the next 75 years, please accept my best wishes for your continued success.

Sincerely,

Kenneth W. Jenkins

Westchester County Executive

We Love You VNY!

The Gallin Family

Raising Awareness of the

Sacrifices of Blue Star and Gold Star Military Families

SCF Wealth Management Group

Working together to help your pursue what matters most

Understanding your life, wealth and what you want to accomplish is important to how we work together. For today, tomorrow and generations to come.

Thomas Cavada Managing

Director–Wealth Management

Robert

Snyder Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

James Fernandez Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

UBS Financial Services Inc. 1285 Avenue Of The Americas New York, NY 10019 212-713-8669

advisors.ubs.com/scf

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We are pleased to support Volunteer New York!

Every day, you help make our community a better place to live. We do our best to support you, your organization and the people you serve. We’re always proud to help our neighbors.

2025 VOLUNTEER SPIRIT AWARD HONOREES!

to our community

in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another.

THE SEIDEN FAMILY CONGRATULATES

EDUCATION & LITERACY AWARD

HONOREE KIMBERLY JANEWAY OF

FAMILY SERVICE SOCIETY OF YONKERS

AND ALL THE 2025 VOLUNTEER SPIRIT AWARD WINNERS!

Her leadership and service to our community is an inspiration to others. You demonstrate that nothing is impossible!

It was an honor to serve a cause greater than ourselves.

Here is to the next 7 5 yea rs of Volunteer New York! and its critical work to mobilize volunteers.

FROM FORMER STAFF OF VOLUNTEER NEW YORK!

Toalloftoday’s VolunteerSpirit Awardscategory awardwinnersandto VolunteerNewYork! on75impactfulyears! Aheartfeltthankyou toallofourstaff, boardmembers, volunteers,and partners—pastand present! CONGRATULATIONS!

T o a l l o f t o d a y ’ s

V o l u n t e e r S p i r i t

A w a r d s c a t e g o r y

a w a r d w i n n e r s a n d t o

V o l u n t e e r N e w Y o r k !

o n 7 5 i m p a c t f u l y e a r s !

A h e a r t f e l t t h a n k y o u

t o a l l o f o u r s t a f f , b o a r d m e m b e r s ,

v o l u n t e e r s , a n d

p a r t n e r s — p a s t a n d p r e s e n t !

MICHAEL&SUSIE WELLING

MICHAEL & SUSIE

Alisa Kesten, Former VNY! Executive Director

Baghdad Numi, Mt. Vernon High School

Congratulations to Volunteer New York! on 75 incredible years of impact, transforming lives, and strengthening our community. I’m grateful to have been part of this wonderful organization!

SUSAN KUSHNER

MontefioreNyackHospitalisproudtosupport

VolunteerNewYork!

CongratulationstotheHonorees:

PaulAdler,Esq.

MontefioreNyackHospitalFoundationChairman

HealthcareAdvocateandFriendtoMontefioreNyackHospital

ChristianandRowanDias

KimberlyJaneway

NajibArsalanandFreshtaNazari

ChivasWakuta

Congratulations!

Kim on this amazing achievement! Your leadership and contribution to the community are a beacon of light.

May you continue to be an inspiration to the entire community.

CARMEN LEONOR MARTÍNEZ-LÓPEZ, PH.D.

Congratulations

MichaelWelling!

Michael Welling!

We applaud you for a job well done as a long time board member and Chairman of Volunteer New

Weapplaudyouforajob welldoneasalongtime boardmemberand ChairmanofVolunteerNew York!

Youhavealwayshada commitmenttovolunteer work&publicservicewhich hasgreatlyimpactedso many.

You have always had a commitment to volunteer work & public service which has greatly impacted so Susan & Lee Welling

Susan&LeeWelling

Congratulations to our incredible board member, Chivas, on receiving the Quality of Life Award! Your dedication and impact make a meaningful di erence in our community, and we are so proud to work alongside you.

With gratitude, Your One Sandwich at a Time Team

Congratulations to our incredible board member, Chivas, on of Life Award! Your dedication and impact make a meaningful community, and we are so proud to work alongside you . With gratitude, Your One Sandwich at a Time Team

Wefundinternationalanddomesticfieldtripsfor publichighschoolsintheNewYorkCity metropolitanarea.Ourmissionistoexpose studentsfromunderservedcommunitiestoa worldbeyondtheirown,tobroadentheir intellectualandculturalhorizons,andtoshow themwhatittrulymeanstobecomeaglobal citizen.Helpourleadersoftomorrowstart buildingbridgestoday. Pleasescantogiveorvisit TheTripFoundation.org

Congratulations,VolunteerNewYork!,on75incredible yearsofservice!Tothosewhocamebeforeus—your dedication,passion,andhardworklaidthefoundation foreverythingwedotoday.Wearehonoredtobuild uponyourlegacy,carryingforwardthemissionof inspiringvolunteerismandstrengtheningourcommunity. Thankyouforpavingtheway—here’stomanymore yearsofimpactandchange!