Emma Einhorn Awarded the Madison Area YMCA’s New Jersey YMCA State Alliance 2016 Volunteer of the Year Award

The Madison Area YMCA is pleased to share with the community that Emma Einhorn, 18, of Florham Park was the Madison Area YMCA’s recipient of a New Jersey YMCA State Alliance 2016 Youth Volunteer of the Year award.

In the accompanying photo: Madison Area YMCA Member Services Associate/Special Needs Coordinator Jenna Zwain; New Jersey Alliance Volunteer of the Year award recipient Emma Einhorn of Florham Park; Madison Area YMCA Kids Central and Family Program Coordinator Erin Rowell; Madison Area YMCA Volunteer & Organizational Advancement Coordinator Melissa DeSalvo, of Madison.

The New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, comprised of 37 YMCAs, annually celebrates the champions of New Jersey YMCAs and honors those who have helped strengthen their communities through their work in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Each YMCA puts forth its Volunteer of the Year to be recognized. The Alliance held its 16th recognition celebration to honor the recipients at Forsgate Country Club in Jamesburg.

Emma’s passion for music led her to initially share her talents with children in weekly music classes at the Madison Area YMCA, but the more time she spent volunteering, the more Emma became interested in working with children with special needs.

“Emma became an aide for a young boy enrolled in a karate class who was very restricted in how he could move his arms and legs,” said Madison Area YMCA Volunteer & Organizational Advancement Coordinator Melissa DeSalvo. ”Without Emma’s assistance, he would not have been able to move his body properly and therefore would not have been able to gain the full experience from the class.”

Emma has since volunteered aiding another child with special needs in gymnastics classes. “She has helped us improve the quality of our special needs programming. Because of Emma, these children are able to enroll in mainstream classes with other children their age and feel included,” said Ms. DeSalvo.

When Emma is not dedicating time to making a difference in the lives of youth, she volunteers in the Madison Area YMCA’s administrative offices. “Emma always exemplifies a positive attitude and her service truly comes from the heart! We are grateful for Emma’s dedication to youth development and social responsibility,” said Ms. DeSalvo.

The Madison Area YMCA is a 501c3 cause-driven charitable organization dedicated to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. All are welcome to be enriched by Y membership, programming, community wellness and health-enhancing programs, regardless of ability to pay. Generous donations to the Madison Area YMCA’s Annual Fund make it possible for everyone in our community to experience the Y.