County YMCA honors three locals

Fourth-generation owner of Perona Farms or making lasting impact on county Y
As a fourth-generation owner of the renowned Perona Farms venue for weddings and other events, Mark Avondoglio is one of Sussex County’s movers and shakers.
When Sussex County YMCA embarked on expanding the Y’s size and services, Avondoglio took a lead role, donating $25,000 and introducing the Y to business and philanthropic leaders who could help make the ambitious project a reality.
“Mark’s impact to the Y in 2016 will have lasting effects for years to come,” Sussex County YMCA Executive Director Jennifer Gardner said.
Avondoglio received the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges’ W. Daniel McCain Award for Youth Development on April 5 at its 40th annual recognition dinner, held at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover. Sussex County YMCA is one of six branches of the Metro YMCA, the largest association of YMCAs in New Jersey.
“He believes in the Y’s programs and services, and has been willing to share with others that the Y makes a difference and is an organization worth supporting,” Metro Y President and CEO Richard K. Gorab said.
“The Y is important for the community, and the people I know are very philanthropic,” said Avondoglio, co-chair of the Sussex County Y’s Capital Campaign Steering Committee and a member of its golf committee.
The Perona Farms vice president said the Y spends money wisely and sets a good example, making it easy for him to encourage friends and associates to invest in its future. “I associate myself with organizations that spend their money well. The Y works well; they know what they’re doing.”
The $3.8 million expansion, set to begin in May with completion in January, will add 9,000 square feet to the YMCA in Hardyston Township. The project includes a full-size high school gymnasium, an expanded wellness center, a cycle room for spin classes, and renovations to the lobby, locker rooms, and bathrooms. It also will allow the Y to offer league sports and expand community wellness programs and free middle school memberships.
“Perona Farms has been here a long time, and we want to show the community we’re willing to give back,” Avondoglio said. Perona Farms is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and will hold a centennial celebration on July 18, drawing celebrated chefs from across the nation to the Andover Township property, he said.
Avondoglio was the honoree of the Y’s golf tournament last May. He secured major sponsorships and recruited new golfers, making it the Y’s most successful outing to date, Gardner said.
“Mark’s passion to help the community for the youth and families we serve has been outstanding,” she said.
Longtime camper turned counselor named Y's Youth of the Year
Brandon Bedell was only 5 years old when he first attended Blue Mountain Day Camp, Sussex County YMCA’s program at the beautiful Fairview Lake YMCA Camps in Stillwater Township, and he’s been back every summer since.
“It’s a positive environment and everyone there helps you grow,” the 16-year-old said. Bedell went through the counselor-in-training program two years ago, and last summer he worked as a junior counselor, lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons.
“I get to share my experiences with the younger kids, and help them out out if they need it,” said Bedell, who learned to swim at camp.
The North Warren Regional High school junior received Sussex County YMCA’s 2016 Youth of the Year Award at the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges’ 40th annual recognition dinner on April 5 at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover. Sussex County YMCA is one of six branches of the Metro YMCA, the largest association of YMCAs in New Jersey.
“Brandon serves as a great role model for the children in the program” Sussex County YMCA Executive Director Jennifer Gardner said. During the school year, Bedell works at the Y’s after-school child care program at Blairstown Elementary School as a group assistant.
“He has endless energy and truly enjoys being active with the children at camp and after-care,” Gardner said. When he broke his foot in December, Bedell only missed one day of work, she noted. “He is extremely dedicated to the Y and the children we serve.”
The Blairstown resident said he was “flabbergasted” when he learned he would receive the award. “I’m honored, but I feel that I’m just doing my job,” he said. Bedell said he loves working with children and aspires to become a teacher.
Andover resident receives Metro YMCA Award for social responsibility
Some years back, when Edward Walker Jr. worked out Tuesday mornings at Sussex County YMCA, he’d often chat with another early exerciser about baseball — he a Red Sox fan, she an Orioles devotee — and the YMCA itself.
It turned out, “she” was Jennifer Gardner, at the time the associate executive director of the Y.
“I had thought of the Y as a gym and swim, but learned the depth of the Y’s commitment to the community,” said Walker, who joined the Sussex County YMCA Board of Managers soon after Gardner’s promotion to executive director in 2012.
As second vice chair of the board, Walker stepped up his involvement in 2016, helping the Y secure sizable donations for the 9,000-square-foot expansion that will begin in May, and sharing his expertise in cultivating new board members with the leadership of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges and all six of its branches. The Metro YMCA is the largest association of YMCAs in New Jersey.
“Ed understands the impact of the work of the Y, and is generous with his time, expertise and financial support, said Metro YMCA President and CEO Richard K. Gorab. Walker received the John C. Prizer Award for Social Responsibility lrecently at the Metro YMCA’s 40th annual recognition dinner, held at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover.
“I’m honored and humbled,” Walker said. “I’m positive there are people more deserving than I. Everybody here is so wonderful.” The 56-year-old said he enjoys his work with the Y because “you see actual results from the input you have. On this board, it’s impossible not to be involved.”
As senior vice president and director of wealth management for First Hope Bank, Walker educates fellow Y leaders about various ways people can support the Y through planned giving. The Andover resident chairs the Sussex County YMCA board governance committee, and serves on the annual campaign committee, the golf committee, and the capital campaign committee.
“Ed is very well liked and respected amongst his fellow board members,” Gardner said. “He serves the Y and our community with care, compassion, and a great sense of humor!” She noted that Walker made it possible for a family in need to attend camp last summer, increasing his already generous annual giving to the Y.