Greater Providence YMCA honors 2019 Y-Heroes

STEVEN O’DONNELL, left, CEO of the Greater Providence YMCA, introduces Y-Heroes Abby Butlin, center, and Finn Pansa at the third annual Y-Heroes celebration on April 23. / COURTESY GREATER PROVIDENCE YMCA

PROVIDENCE – Two student triathletes, two business leaders, a longtime YMCA legend and a federal judge were honored for their community leadership at the third annual Y-Heroes celebration at the R.I. Convention Center on April 23.

Nearly 800 people – including Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., New England Patriots fullback James Devlin and keynote speaker Senior U.S. Circuit Judge Bruce Selya – gathered to honor the 2019 Y-Heroes. The event also raised about $300,000 for the Greater Providence YMCA.

“We are humbled and inspired by the outpouring of support from so many corners of our community. We are proud to have these amazing heroes on our team,” said Steven G. O’Donnell, CEO of the Greater Providence YMCA. “While this event formally honors the remarkable achievements of a select few, every day we are inspired by the many dedicated donors, nonprofits and community partners that play a vital role in advancing our mission.”

Two young triathletes were among the Y-Heroes honored.

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Abby Butlin, a seventh grader at The Wheeler School, and Finn Pansa, a fifth grader at Guiteras Elementary School in Bristol, were both recognized for their devotion to helping others. They participated in the Race4Chase triathlon benefiting the CMAK Foundation, a nonprofit formed in remembrance of Chase Kowalski, a 7-year-old killed in the Sandy Hook School shooting in 2012, and other students and educators who were victims.

The Y also honored U.S. Circuit Judge O. Rogeriee Thompson, the first African American and second woman to serve on the First Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

Businessman and philanthropist Edward Medeiros, CEO of East Commerce Solutions, was recognized for his commitment to charitable causes, from creating a special scholarship fund to organizing a Thanksgiving charity run that has fed 20,000 families.

Also honored as Y-Heroes were Peter Marino, president and CEO of Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, and Stephen Palmer, who has served as chairman of the Greater Providence YMCA and chairman of the YMCA’s national board of directors.

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