Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys & Girls Club Celebrates Volunteers & Staff at Annual Meeting
Last week, the Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys & Girls Club held its Annual Meeting at the Ludlow Country Club. The meeting is a yearly opportunity to share the Club’s highlights and priorities for the coming year and to celebrate the hard work and impact our volunteers and staff have on our mission.
The Club was honored to have Senator Jake Oliveira and Representative Aaron Saunders in attendance, as well as Town Selectman DeBarge, and representatives from the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs (Jenn Aldworth and Cindy Brosseau) and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (Karen MacDonald). Club President/CEO Josue Irizarry thanked these leaders for their advocacy in securing vital funding, providing training and other support to the Club and to Club staff.
This year, the Board of Directors thanked attorney Sarah Pascale for her service as her term on the board ended. The Board voted to renew the terms of two members: William Mahoney and Brandon O’Brien. The Board also elected the following new members, who join a committed group of community leaders whose role is to set the vision and direction of the Club and to be active champions of youth:
Maureen Beauregard (Retired)
Carla DiLoreto (Branch Officer, Freedom Credit Union)
Heather Iampietro, Esq. (Attorney, Legacy Counsellors, P.C. and Legacy Title & Escrow)
Irizarry welcomed two families to speak to the group, to share their personal experiences at the Club and then presented a video so newcomers could learn more about the Club’s space and offerings. Irizarry mentioned that next year the Club will be celebrating its 75th Anniversary with a goal of raising $75,000 to use toward projects that will benefit not only Club members, but the public as well.
Board Chair, Mark Germain of Gomes, DaCruz, & Tracy, P.C., spoke about the Club’s strategic plan and the work the Board and committee volunteers are doing to help enhance the Club’s reach and value. Germain also discussed recently conducted surveys to get input from the community and staff about how to better fulfill our mission.
Awards were presented to Club staff to recognize years of service, exceptional leadership, commitment, and teamwork. Congratulations to Office Manager Christina Yacono for being Staff of the Year; Assistant School Age Director Bri Lewicki for an Honorary Award; Preschool for Department/Program of the Year; and Tricia Kus for 5 years of employment as a Preschool Teacher.
The Club recognized Felicia Pacheco as the 2024 Youth of the Year, to celebrate her leadership, academic success, civic responsibility, and engagement. Pacheco graduated from Ludlow High School in 2024 and is now studying to be a Pharmacist at Western New England University. The Club showed a video of Pacheco describing her achievements and how grateful she is for Club experiences like being on the Sea Lions Swim Team and now serving as an assistant coach for the team. These experiences helped to shape her outlook and passions. Earlier this year, Pacheco was awarded the Jason Thompson Leadership Award to help support her academic pursuits after high school.
The Club was pleased to recognize volunteer Kim Lawler for commitment to building community. Kim teaches a gentle martial arts class called Qi Gong to adults each week at the Club as a volunteer. The class is free to both Club Members and to the general public. Lawler’s generosity has supported the Club’s mission to offer unique and affordable offerings to a wide range of people. Lawler received the 4th Annual Darlene Rae Helping Hand Award, named in memory of a former board member, Club alum, and passionate volunteer who passed way in 2021.
The Club remains grateful for the numerous volunteers, staff, donors, and members who work together to create meaningful programs and opportunities for youth and families at the Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys & Girls Club. We are proud to be able to work together to create such a caring community for all.