George Panebianco was given the top-volunteer award the YMCA gives out each year, the Paul B. Sullivan Award, its life-time of service award at the Camp’s Annual Dinner/Dance fundraising extravaganza, Nov.12. Picture at right: Amazing auction items, such as these pictured were auctioned off at the YMCA’s Camp Onyahsa Dinner/Dance, Nov.12. All funds raised during this event are used to help fulfill the Onyahsa Promise, which provides resident and day camp sessions at modest tuition based on area of residence.

George Panebianco was given the top-volunteer award the YMCA gives out each year, the Paul B. Sullivan Award, its life-time of service award at the Camp’s Annual Dinner/Dance fundraising extravaganza, Nov.12. Picture at right: Amazing auction items, such as these pictured were auctioned off at the YMCA’s Camp Onyahsa Dinner/Dance, Nov.12. All funds raised during this event are used to help fulfill the Onyahsa Promise, which provides resident and day camp sessions at modest tuition based on area of residence.

For more than 118 years, YMCA Camp Onyahsa has been providing children and adults from diverse backgrounds a quality camping experience. Regardless of the camper’s background, all are welcome at the Chautauqua Lake site.

Camp “O,” much like its parent organization the Jamestown Area YMCA, has adopted the moniker of “no child is refused play for inability to pay” by creating an assertive financial aid program and a variety of scholarships like the Spiro Bello Youth Leadership Scholarship for local youth.

In an effort to provide excellence in youth development for local children through an affordable experience, the YMCA has created the Onyahsa Promise, which provides resident and day camp sessions at modest tuition based on area of residence.  Camp Director, Jon O’Brian notes that the cost for local youth to attend Onyahsa is about one-third the cost of similar experiences at other YMCA camps nationally. The Onyahsa Promise, funded through the Dinner Dance fundraiser and the contributions of benefactors, makes this affordable rate possible.

The 2016 Annual Dinner Dance fundraiser was held at the camp’s beautifully restored 1938 Darrah-Hultquist Dining Hall, at the Camp on Saturday, Nov. 12. More than 140 people attended this fabulous event and were treated to a superb authentic-Italian dinner, amazing auction items, and live-musical entertainment.

The YMCA honored the recipient of the Paul B. Sullivan Award, its life-time of service award, at the event. They bestowed this honor to George Panebianco. “George is always right there when we need him,” said Mark G. Eckendorf, the chief executive officer of the Jamestown Area YMCA. “When kids are involved, especially kids who are less privileged or are at risk, George will go that extra mile to help out.”

The dinner dance in 2015 helped offset the cost of tuition to attend Camp Onyahsa and affected the lives of many local children. “Last year, approximately 127 local kids attended Camp through the Onyahsa Promise program,” said Morales.  While there, they made new friends, engaged in quality programs, were mentored by caring staff, and enjoyed new facilities made possible by the Camp’s current capital campaign.

As we look to making Onyahsa a premier youth and family center on a year-round basis through our Capital Campaign, it is vital that we keep our quality experiences affordable for local kids.  That is the purpose of the Dinner Dance.

“I attended Onyahsa as a child myself on a scholarship, and know the life-affirming change Camp can have for local kids.  A quality facility, dedicated staff, and affordable experiences are crucial to our future,” said O’Brian.

For more information on YMCA Camp Onyahsa, how to donate, and how to attend camp: visit the Camp’s website at http://www.onyahsa.org/or call the Camp office at 664-2802 ext. 238.