NORWICH – The Norwich Family YMCA held its annual Hero Award Ceremony for Volunteer Recognition at the Canasawacta Country Club on Jan. 25, a celebration of all that the Y stands for: respect, professionalism, the community and its youth and – most importantly – the hundreds of volunteers who dedicate their time and effort to the Y each and every year.

The ceremony, said Norwich Family YMCA Executive Director James Mullen, was created three years ago and allows the Y and its Board of Directors to recognize a select group of those individuals for their contributions.

“Volunteers come in many shapes, sizes, colors, ages, religions, cultures and more,” added the executive director. “Volunteers are the canvas of what the YMCA stands for and was conceived from.”

In 2012, for the first time, the Y recognized an entire program for its Youth Volunteer Award. Several years ago, YMCA Senior Program Director Tom Revoir came up with an idea – partnering with the Norwich High School Boys and Girls Basketball coaching staff – to have student athletes volunteer as officials for the Y’s Saturday morning Youth Basketball games.

The task, said Mullen, was significant, considering there are more than 500 kids who participate in the program. And on Saturday mornings, it is not uncommon for 1,500 or more people to attend the many games that take place between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., he said.