CHAIRMAN DIONSIO RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD

9/29/2008

The National Youth Sports Council (NYSC) selected Dan Dionisio as the 2008 Hershey's STRIVE "Volunteer of the Year" Award. Several hundred nominations were received by the organization that represents nearly 60 million youth sports participants across the United States. Dan was recognized for his 20 years of volunteer services to OBGC as both a coach and a member of the Board of Directors. In 2001, Dan became Chairman of the organization and led the fundraising and construction effort for the 118-acre nationally acclaimed OBGCCommunityPark. Under Dan's leadership, OBGC grew from serving 3,000 children to nearly 7,000 annually, and received Maryland Nonprofit's "Seal of Excellence" for nonprofit management.

"I am appreciative and thankful to be recognized by the National Council of Youth Sports and Hershey/STRIVE" said Dionisio. "From my perspective, a national award like this is recognizing the work that our 800 volunteers donate to the club each year to make the Olney Boys & Girls Community Sports Association a great organization for kids, verses recognizing just one person's accomplishments."

In addition to a $2,500 donation from NYSC and Hershey to OBGC in Dan's honor, he also received numerous citations and commendations from US Senator Cardin, Governor O'Malley, Senator Kramer, Delegate Kaiser, Delegate Montgomery, and a Proclamation from County Executive Ike Leggett which was presented by Montgomery County Recreation Department Director Gabriel Albernoz.