YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties has awarded its two most recent past chief volunteer officers, Fran Cardaci and Rich Lovely, with the Lois Burpee Award for service to the community.
Cardaci, YMCA chief volunteer officer (CVO) from 2013-2021, led the Y through the merging of three Bucks County YMCAs, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the successful “For A Better Us” campaign, which raised $33 million to renovate the branches in Doylestown and Fairless Hills and support YMCA mission-driven programs. Cardaci was presented her award by president/CEO Zane Moore and the YMCA board of directors prior to the YMCA’s Share the Impact event on July 26 for her service as CVO. The annual event celebrates the direct impact YMCA donors and volunteer leaders have on the community.
Lovely, YMCA chief volunteer officer during 2022, oversaw the Y’s unification between YMCA of Bucks County and Hunterdon County YMCA in New Jersey, resulting in the new YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties. The merger expanded membership services and free, donor-supported YMCA Pathway programs throughout all service areas. Lovely’s award was presented by Moore, along with Chief Volunteer Officer Allen Childs and Vice CVO Nick Yelicanin on June 28 at Five Palms Golf Club in Warminster.
Established in memory of longtime YMCA volunteer Lois Burpee, the award has been presented annually since 1985 in tribute to her memory and active service to the YMCA as a volunteer and benefactor. Lois and David Burpee also donated the land where the Doylestown branch currently stands. On an annual basis, YMCA trustees present the award in recognition of outstanding volunteer efforts to the YMCA by an individual, company or organization.
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