Bernardsville Teen Honored For Excellence In Volunteering

BERNARDSVILLE, NJ — Somerset Hills YMCA volunteer Jessica Snyder of Bernardsville was awarded the 2018 Youth Volunteer Award by the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance.

Snyder was nominated by the Somerset Hills YMCA, a branch of Somerset County YMCA, based on her hard work and dedication to the Y’s Saturdays in Motion program, which helps children on the autism spectrum and their families.

A senior at Bernardsville High School and a Y member, Snyder has served as a volunteer for Saturdays in Motion for the last three years. Staff and fellow volunteers describe her as “reliable, hard-working, creative and energetic.”

The alliance recognized 25 youths from YMCAs across the state for their outstanding volunteer commitment to their local communities. Youth development is one of the Y’s focus areas, in addition to healthy living and social responsibility.

Saturdays in Motion is a free recreational program for children on the autistic spectrum. Held twice monthly at Somerset Hills YMCA, it pairs the children with local teen volunteers who guide them through enriching activities such as basketball, gymnastics and swimming. The program allows the children to interact with others in a safe and encouraging environment.

For more information about Saturdays in Motion and Somerset County YMCA, visit somersetcountyymca.org.

(Image via Somerset Hills YMCA: Jessica Snyder)

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