Celebrating Bronx Volunteer Heros

IMG_9527On May 11th, the Bronx Volunteer Coalition (BxVC) honored a few of the borough’s most remarkable volunteers.

While there were around 100 people in attendance, it felt more like a gathering of old friends who each greeted each other with a warm hug as people filed that evening into the Bronx Museum of Art. Michael Coughlin and Iris Ramírez, both founding members of Bronx Volunteer Coalition, explained that the group started two years ago as four separate non-profits that came together after seeing that the Bronx needed a network for volunteers.

The master of ceremonies for the night, Miriam D. Tabb, said, “I’m in awe of the collective goodwill and community leadership surrounding me this evening. It is inspiring for me to be speaking here tonight and to honor our nominees.”

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Michael Coughlin, one of the founders of the Bronx Volunteer Coalition

“The mission we hold ourselves to is that we want to increase volunteers in the Bronx and anyone who is served in the Bronx should be served by a Bronx resident while reaching out to people who are already volunteering.” said Mr. Coughlin. They currently represent 40 organizations in the Bronx.

New York City Chief Service Officer, Paula Gavin, was the night’s keynote speaker and longtime volunteer YMCA. Also a board member for the YMCA in Haiti, Ms. Gavin spoke about her experience volunteering, “I know what it is like to volunteer firsthand and I’m so proud of what each of you do, everyone should be inspired by your work.” Ms. Gavin added in an interesting piece of research saying that volunteering makes people happier, healthier, and more grateful. “Simply put, volunteering is good for you and good for your mind.”

There were four award categories with seventeen individuals and six groups being honored. Votes were collected through online voting in which users can vote once a day in each of the four categories: Youth Volunteer Leader, Neighborhood Impact, Organized Volunteer Impact, and Lifetime Volunteer Service.

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Jailine Casado, the winner of the Youth Volunteer Leader Award, started the Youth Service Club and exclaimed that she, “loved volunteering!” From being the master of ceremonies to planting trees and cleaning up parks was Mike Gupta, winner of the Neighborhood Impact Award for his work with the Bronx River Alliance. “I want to thank my Bronx hero that we lost last year, Morgan Powell. He always inspired me and I hope to inspire the youth as well.” Winning the Organized Volunteer Impact Award was Chaplain Sandra Pabon and Pastor James Miller with the Friends of Good News Christian Church for opening their doors in helping struggling community members. “We are very privileged to be volunteers. There are a lot of people in difficult situations and it is up to us to step up to help.” said Chaplain Sandra Pabon. Reverend Carmen Hernandez was the winner of the Lifetime Volunteer Service Award for being a Youth Advocate for being a youth advocate especially within the LBGT community. “It’s wonderful that when I walk around the streets, everyone knows what I’m about…community. Being a reverend is about practicing what you preach, which is loving one another.”

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Volunteer’s from all the categories were honored as well:

Youth Neighborhood Leader Award
Jose Febres-Bonila (Veterans House Volunteer)
Neissa Fils (Sistas and Brothas United)
Zyaira Speller (Hostos Student Leadership Academy)
Farielly Valerio (Bronx Academy of Letters)

Neighborhood Impact Award
John Denizard (We R the Bronx)
Dorothy Febus (Community Council Committee)
Eliu Feliciano (Youth Advocate)
Consuelo Hernandez (Parent Association President for P.S. 207)
Evy Viruet (Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition)

Organized Volunteer Impact Award
Bronx Park East Community Association
Hostos Garden Market
Second Chance Christian Center (SCCC) Food Pantry
The Bronx is Blooming
Windows of Hip Hop

Lifetime Volunteer Service Award
Jane Chaney (West Bronx Housing and Neighborhood Resource Center)
Emerita Foster (Mercy Center Volunteer)
Bharati Kemraj (Community Advocate)
Miriam Sanchez (Neighborhood Advisory Boards)

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