ST. BONAVENTURE — For their commitment to serving the Olean community, seven area residents were honored Thursday night at the YMCA’s long-running Salute to Olean.
The 38th annual awards dinner, held at St. Bonaventure University, added Alan Bernstein and Paula Fidurko Bernstein, David and Barbara Hastings, Dr. Jill Owens and Harold “Sandy” and Connie Wolfinger to its long list of recognized community members, many of them in attendance to cheer on its latest honorees.
“In this spirit of this year’s theme, ‘Lucky Us,’ I want to express how truly fortunate we are to be coming together tonight to celebrate some amazing people who live in our community,” said Jeff Townsend, YMCA of the Twin Tiers CEO.
First introduced in 2023, the YMCA also presented the second Community Partner Award to the Olean City School District with Dr. Genelle Morris, the superintendent of schools, accepting on behalf of the district.
The award was created to recognize a company or organization that has a significant impact on the community and also partners with the YMCA to advance its mission of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
“The very essence of this award makes Olean City School District the obvious and most deserving choice as the 2023 award recipient of this distinct honor,” Townsend said. “The partnership between the Olean City School District and the YMCA exemplifies a commitment to collaboration, service and mutual support that is enriching the lives of students, families and residents throughout Olean.”
Chris Napoleon, the evening’s emcee, introduced each of the night’s honorees. Video presentations accompanied each introduction as colleagues, family members and friends gave well wishes to the award recipients and congratulated them.
“People like our honorees have worked so hard to be good parents, neighbors, leaders, providers and enablers,” Napoleon said. “Often so skillfully in their actions, it takes the maturity of self-reflection to see that what they’ve done over time has made a difference and makes us all lucky to live in this community.”
Alan Bernstein and Paula Fidurko Bernstein, residents of the Olean area for most of their lives, have dedicated countless hours toward actively giving back to the community, from leadership and coaching roles to showing up for Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce events to their love of local arts and artists.
“That’s a gift and a couple that keeps on giving of themselves to our community,” Napoleon said. “Al and Paula, for your devoted and faithful commitment to community engagement, volunteerism and the arts, we salute you.”
David and Barabara Hastings, residents of the Olean area for over 65 years, share a journey that intertwines their values of compassion, service and dedication to their community, volunteering at countless organizations and events throughout the region, but it’s their recent experience as Santa’s helpers in the Olean and Allegany communities that has left a lasting mark.
“Little things not only make a difference, but they often make up the foundation of a person,” Napoleon said. “Dave and Barb, for your unwavering commitment to family, community and the joy of Christmas for children, we salute you.”
Dr. Jill Owens, a Bradford, Pa. native who has spent the past 24 years attending to the medical needs of those in the Upper Allegheny Health System, not only helps lead the healthcare community as president of UAHS but also at numerous organizations where she provides care to those less fortunate at home and abroad.
“Leading within a rural community has a greater chance of success when you are developed from within the community you serve and marry that with worldly experience,” Napoleon said. “Dr. Owens, for your steadfast commitment to public health on both the local and global scale, we salute you.”
Harold “Sandy” and Connie Wolfinger, he from rural New Jersey and she from Humphrey, have had the best interest of others in mind from the beginning and wanted to find ways to give back to the community that has become dear to their family. As a couple devoted to philanthropy, they have established several funds that provide thousands of dollars each year to make a difference in the lives of others.
“Whenever I hear that Sandy and Connie are involved in something, I smile because I know there is passion and subtlety mixed together that will make a memorable impact,” Napoleon said. “Sandy and Connie, for your tremendous spirit for philanthropy and dedication to always giving back, we salute you.”
The YMCA presented its 2023 Policy Volunteer of the Year Award to William Walsh, who has dedicated over 35 years of service to the Y helping in countless roles and projects but currently sits on the Olean Y’s advisory board, Townsend said.
The Charleen Rowand and Teresa Reihle Excellence in Child Care Award was presented to Jeannie Rohl, a YMCA child care employee who has excellent job performance and consistently goes above and beyond the call to ensure all children in their care are welcomed, special, nurtured and loved, Townsend said.