The Mukaiyama University Room at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford was brimming Tuesday morning with community leaders who were celebrating the Bradford Family YMCA at the 25th annual Community Awards breakfast.

The breakfast provides the YMCA a chance to recognize community members for their service efforts and to update the community on YMCA happenings.

For 2017, the YMCA awarded George G. Blaisdell YMCA Community Service Awards to Kessel Construction and to Ron Orris for “continual commitment to the improvement of our community by his/her actions, words and deeds that exemplify the YMCA mission of building ‘spirit, mind and body for all.’”

Five students received 2017 Ray C. Uhler YMCA Outstanding Youth Awards, one from each school district in the county.

Uhler award recipients are Kristen Laemmer, daughter of Kurt Laemmer, Bradford Area High School; Erin Elizabeth Paulson, daughter of Laurie and Steve Paulson, Kane Area High School; Janelle Housler, daughter of Iva and Tim Housler, Otto-Eldred Jr./Sr. High School; Morgan Causer, daughter of Melissa and Martin Causer, Port Allegany High School; and Brittany Szarowicz, daughter of Kathleen and John Szarowicz, Smethport Area Jr.-Sr. High School.

Dan Minich served as master of ceremonies at the event, and there were several speakers who shared their thoughts on the organization and the community.

Jeff Alevy, CEO of the YMCA of the Twin Tiers, of which the Bradford Family YMCA is a part, described the early beginnings of the Young Men’s Christian Association London, then talked about how the local YMCA program has strengthened recent years.

“Less than a dozen years ago, the YMCA was in financial distress, at risk of closing,” said Alevy. “Today, we serve about 15,000 individuals in the region.”

According to Alevy, the regional YMCA program is a mid-size, $6.5 million operation.

“It’s this mid-size that presents a challenge for us,” he said, crediting the organization’s staff, as well as the community partners, with maintaining its programs.

Alevy added that the Bradford location is receiving $500,000 in state funding for projects including a new roof, electrical repairs and space improvements. He made note of other offerings at the location including expanded hours, an after-school program, a child care program, summer day camp and the pool.

“I don’t know about you, but I believe God’s been watching out for the YMCA, and for all of us,” said Alevy.

Lisa Minich, advisory board chair for the Bradford Family YMCA, recognized past honorees and board members who were in attendance at Tuesday’s event, having each stand when she read their names.

Kenneth Coffman, annual campaign chair for the Bradford Family YMCA, attended to talk about the 2017 campaign.

He described how, after years of just coming to the Y to workout, his role changed, and he realized the organization was more than just a place with youth programs.

“The YMCA is a vital part of the community for people of all ages,” Coffman said.

The community, in turn, is showing its support to the Y. In fact, $134,000 has already been raised for the 2017 campaign, passing the $125,000 goal.

Kristin Asinger presented the service award to husband Tim Asinger, president of Kessel Construction, on behalf of the company.

She mentioned two important things about Tim Asinger’s personality: First, “He loves a challenge” — and will work hard to meet it. Second, “He loves the community.”

As the middle of nine children in an Irish Catholic family, Tim Asinger became a “good negotiator,” said Kristin Asinger, and in his nine years in Bradford, “He truly has taken Bradford on in his heart.”

And the YMCA fits right in with that. “I feel like the Y is also a big part of the community and improving the lives of others,” she said.

After receiving the award, Tim Asinger listed some of the career accomplishments of fellow Community Service Award winner Ron Orris.

“What a legacy, Ron,” Asinger said, noting, “Anything he touched, anything he’s involved with, is better for it.”

As for Kessel’s award, Asinger said there were many people who made the company’s community service possible, including Kessel’s employees and his family. It’s a community he’s proud to have worked with.

“The good of the people of Bradford just comes through every day, and it’s a beautiful thing to see,” said Asinger.

Past honoree Kim Benjamin presented Orris his award.

“It’s a little bit humbling and almost embarrassing,” Benjamin said when comparing Orris’s accomplishments to his own or those of most people. “We haven’t done a smidgen of what he’s done.”

Benjamin, retired executive director of the Bradford City Water Authority, of which Orris is chairman, said Orris “has the attributes of a great leader”: he had “great vision” but “knows when to get out of the way.”

During his speech, Orris looked at the tables, saying he saw “so many who make a difference in the community.” He encouraged everyone to find one more way to volunteer, be it for a church, fire department, non-profit, or just a neighbor.

He read a passage from a letter that one of his heroes — Zippo founder George Blaisdell — wrote on Oct. 23, 1953.

“Approximately three years ago I established the Philo and Sarah Blaisdell Foundation. I am getting a tremendous thrill out of it — more so than everything I have ever done in my entire life.”

Orris took over as executive director of the foundation on Jan. 1, 2016.

“I feel the same way as Mr. Blaisdell,” Orris said.

Also sharing some words at the breakfast was Steve Jackson, regional executive director of the YMCA of the Twin Tiers.

Talking under the theme of “Improving Together,” Jackson noted that it takes more than 185 people who volunteer their time at the Bradford YMCA to maintain it.

Another example of a team effort is the Kids’ Fest held Saturday at the YMCA and organized by the McKean County Collaborative Board. Through the event, children from birth to age 5 received “114 different health screenings,” Jackson said. It took the effort of 169 volunteers to make the event possible.

Jackson noted that the campus lost power overnight due to the severe storm Monday and it didn’t come back on until about 3:45 a.m. Tuesday. He credited the cafeteria staff with still being able to prepare food in time for the 7:30 a.m. breakfast.

The breakfast concluded with closing remarks from Brent Raabe, Bradford Family YMCA branch manager, and a video of YMCA events.