Volunteer of Year makes a splash at Butler YMCA
FRANKLIN TWP — Frank Cicco Jr. has put in more than 13,000 hours in 17 years at the Butler YMCA, and wouldn’t take a dime for any of them.
Sandra Ihlenfeld, executive director of the Butler YMCA, said she has tried to pay Cicco many times over the years, but he has always refused payment.
Cicco’s dedication to the aquatics programs at the YMCA and his impact on the children, combined with his humble nature are what made him the perfect choice for Volunteer of the Year, Ihlenfeld said.
“He’ll do whatever needs to be done working-wise, he attends all of our events; he has earned a place as Volunteer of the Year,” she said Tuesday, May 16, at the Butler County Family YMCA’s annual meeting. “More than once I said, ‘Frank, why don’t we just add you to the payroll?’ He always responds by saying, ‘Nah, I just like helping the kids.’”
According to Christina Dreher, development director for the Butler YMCA, the nonprofit has had an annual meeting every year since its inception and Tuesday’s at The Atrium in Franklin Township was the organization’s 137th meeting.
The meeting is an opportunity for the YMCA to honor staff for their years of service milestones, and recognize incoming and outgoing board members. The staff also celebrates the organization’s accomplishments from the past year and looks forward to the YMCA’s continued role in the community.
Cicco said told those attending that he has been involved with the YMCA since his childhood, when he would go to the organization after school.
Even during his speech thanking the YMCA for recognizing him as Volunteer of the Year, Cicco shouted out the staff and other volunteers who he said keep the YMCA a community-focused organization.
“I enjoy all the volunteers I’ve worked with, the staff has been phenomenal,” Cicco said. “The staff drives the Y, and they do a fantastic job and I am very appreciative of everything they do, but it’s the volunteers who really step up at times and do the things that need to be done.”
While Cicco primarily volunteers with the aquatics programs, a video played at the meeting Tuesday showed several people praising his work in and outside the pool. Dreher said these efforts are what makes Cicco a good volunteer.
“Not only does he coach our Butler Barracudas Swim Team, but he serves on our ARMCO Park Board of Managers and our Board of Trustees,” Dreher said. “He has invested his time, talents, and treasure to make our YMCA a better place.”
Several children in the aquatics programs also complimented Cicco in the video. Dreher said that Cicco’s attitude when working with children also makes him a standout volunteer.
“Frank’s dedication to Butler County and local kids is unmatched,” Dreher said, “and he truly understands the need to keep our community engaged in the countless opportunities of our YMCA Association.”
Following a standing ovation for his work, Cicco gave thanks to members of his family, including his siblings and children for being supportive of the YMCA.
“The other great thing about what I’ve done and what our family does is we’re all involved,” Cicco said.
