YMCA installs 3 new members into Board of Managers

Jeremy Fitzl, right, is presented the YMCA’s Distinguished Service Award by Steve Roberson. Photo by Darlene Roberson

DOWNEY – First event of the season for the Downey YMCA is the board social, the installation of the new Board of Managers, and a lively crowd mingled in the new dining room of Ebie Ghaneian’s re-christened Gatherings ’N Stuff.

After 30 years, Cafe ’N Stuff in Downey is being “repurposed.” Just opened after remodeling as Gatherings n’ Stuff, it’s a boutique venue for meetings, training classes and special occasions. And they still do catering. Shades of blue and a mirrored wall reflected tables set with crisp white and blue linens. Spotted were a number of long-time Y board members; former Mayor of Downey and Optimist Meredith Perkins, Larry Lewis and his wife, Marge, Bill Hare, and Dr. Stephen Ferraro.

The Y’s efficient office manager, Jennifer Pineda, greeted guests at the door, and staff instructor Lupe Baeza-Martinez graciously helped everyone find a seat.

Russell Skersick, secretary of the board, accompanied by Nicki, played emcee and welcomed everyone, and new executive director Lori Tiffany went from table to table saying hello. Lori and Russell are Rotarians, as is Hop Morrison, also present.

Kiwanians Blanca Pacheco led the flag salute, and Bob Earl gave the invocation. Bob’s wife, Joanne, was with him, looking good but recovering from a scary bout of pneumonia. “I was her nurse for nearly a month,” Bob said proudly.

The variety of affiliations shows the striking nature of the Downey community. Volunteers from all the city’s organizations work with each other, serve on several different board structure, and cooperate, to improve the quality of life in Downey.

Other Kiwanians present: Eric Pierce, Bill Hare, Larry Lewis with wife Marge. Giovanna “Giggy” Saab, an active Downey Soroptimist, is running for school board. Scott and Yadira Ramey (she is a returning YMCA board member) told us of the month they recently spent in Italy, the entire last week in Rome. Favorite spot: “We loved the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, and walking to the Piazza Navrona at night after dinner,” said Scott.

Eric Pierce accepts the YMCA’s Red Triangle Award, presented by Steve Roberson. Photo by Darlene Roberson

First person we saw was Christine de la Torre, vice chairperson of the Downey Family YMCA board. Where is Hector? “He’s in Sacramento right now,” said Christine. He was appointed to the California Air Resources Board, which checks pollutions and seeks innovative solutions. Downeyites will remember Hector as our outstanding Assemblyman from 2004 to 2010.

Before that as a member of the City Council, Hector led South Gate residents in a grassroots campaign to recall corrupt elected officials and restore public trust. For those who’d like an update, he still works for the public good, on the American Health Council, and LA Care Health Plan, the largest non-profit insurance company in California. He’s also a trustee for Occidental College.

Lori welcomed us on behalf of the Y, and then we enjoyed a fiesta buffet, with beef and chicken fillings for tacos, a tomato, red and green pepper and onion ratatouille, and a variety of fillings and toppings: sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese, with guacamole made from Ebie’s special recipe.

For dessert, a stack of churros, melt-in-your-mouth warm, rolled in sugar and cinnamon.

Excitement always builds up for the revelations of two closely guarded secrets at the installation: the Distinguished Service Award, and the coveted Red Triangle.

The nominations for the awards are made by and voted on by all the past recipients of each recognition, and no one knows till the dinner who has won.

“They always ask me to give out these presentations,” said Steve Roberson, who was accompanied by Darlene. “So I asked who this year’s winners were, and when Lori told me, I said I’d be happy and honored to give the citations.”

First one, for Distinguished Service. Steve said, “goes to a volunteer who has contributed to the development and the good of the Y itself. You can try to guess who this is, with a little game of questions that narrow down the identity.”

“This person is a great individual,” said Steve. “If you ask whether he – yes, it’s a guy – will do something, he never says no.” No guesses form the audience so far.

“He’s a team player; a guy who likes to eat,” Steve continued. “It’s Jeremy Fitzl.”

“As for the Red Triangle,” said Steve, “it goes to a leader who has dedicated time, service and treasure on behalf of the YMCA and in the Downey community.

“This person also rarely says no. He likes kids. And he was a wife who’s much too cute for him.” Amid the general laughter, Steve announced the name – Eric Pierce.

This is Eric’s week, because just the night before he was inaugurated as lieutenant governor of Kiwanis District 13, which covers all the clubs in California, Nevada and Hawaii. Not only is he the Editor of the Downey Patriot, and a realtor besides, he’s also a member of the board of the Downey Symphonic Society. Too bad cute wife Nicole wasn’t here to see Eric’s surprise, but she’ll get to choose where to hang the large and handsome plaque that bears his name.

“This award tonight was completely unexpected. It was extra special because Steve Roberson presented it to me,” said Eric. “I’m lucky to be part of the Downey community, where so many people care for each other. “

“This can be a depressing world we’re living in. But you know what helps? Working to improve your community.”

Next came the installation of new board members, and each was introduced separately so we could get to know them. There’s so much to being a board member. The board is charged with overseeing all the aspects of running the Y, from Program and Camps to Finance and Budget. And a major responsibility is fundraising.

One new member was Nathan Mahoney, realtor and president-elect of the Rotary Club of Downey.

Nate Mahoney and Maurice Casaus. Photo by Lorine Parks

“It is an honor,” said Nate, “to be inducted into the Downey YMCA board this evening. They do a lot of great work in the community and I look forward to being a contributing member towards that effort.”

Other new members included Jose Duran, a journeyman lineman with Edison, and Lori Reeves, a senior vice president at Financial Partners Credit Union.

Members to be re-elected this year rose and included Bill Hare and Larry Lewis. Also present was member of the board in the class of 2019, Maurice Casaus; 2020, Anthony Zamora, and Barbara Briley Beard, treasurer of the Downey Museum of Art, Women’s Club advocate, who has served the Y long and faithfully. Barbara was one of the first of the women chairpersons, joining an illustrious line that includes such leaders as Rosemary Ferraro and Jean Brazelton, remembered with love and respect.

Board Chair Charles Gregorio closed by thanking Raul Pineda and his staff “for holding us together while the reconstruction work was taking place. You’ve done an outstanding job.”

Emcee Russell Skersick ended the evening by praising new Executive Director Lori Tiffany, saying, “You make an excellent addition to the team.”

And as Eric said, “Help pick up litter. Tutor a student. Buy someone a cup of coffee. Just do something - anything - to help make your community better.

You’ll feel better, I promise.”