On a spectacular evening, Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE) hosted its annual Volunteer Gratitude Celebration to thank YPIE’s community of 230+ dedicated volunteers and recognize the Fitzgerald family for their 15-year commitment to Yonkers’ students.
Richard Fitzgerald, YPIE’s founding Board Chair, was honored alongside his wife Beth and daughters Shannon and Raissa with the Wendy R. Nadel Volunteer Legacy Award. This award was created in honor of YPIE’s founding executive director to celebrate volunteers who embody YPIE’s core values.
Richard has been a relentless advocate for Yonkers students. In addition to serving on the YPIE Board for 15 years, Richard has recruited his team at Sound Associates to support YPIE events and provided YPIE students with internship opportunities to explore the world of professional audio and video services.
Richard’s wife Beth and daughter Shannon were part of YPIE’s original volunteer program, serving as mentors, essay coaches, and tutors to students. Richard’s daughter Raissa joined the YPIE staff in 2014 as a college advisor and soon after her husband Mark and Shannon’s husband Patrick were also volunteering their time as graduation coaches.
Over the years, the Fitzgeralds officially coached more than 12 YPIE students, for whom they have gone above and beyond, and dozens more students have benefited from their time and support.
“Without Beth and her family’s continued support and guidance, I don’t know where I would be right now. Thank you for all of your kindness, guidance, support, and caring ways, through all these years. You have greatly impacted my life and it has been an honor to have you as my mentor and friend.” – Mikayla, YPIE Alum
This event was generously hosted by the Cross County Center on their beautiful mall and was a heartfelt celebration of the warmth and compassion of the YPIE volunteer community.
Several local officials attended this celebration and Mayor Mike Spano delivered an official proclamation declaring June 8th to be “The Fitzgerald Family Day.”
Learn more at ypie.org