YMCA Creates Alejandro Bruno Family Scholarship

They YMCA of Montclair held its annual President's Circle Breakfast this past week, honoring donors whose contributions have touched the lives of over 1,000 individuals and families in the local community.

In a room filled with Board members, employees, and donors, Jo Ann Short, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Montclair non-profit, provided a touching overview of how donations are used to help and empower the lives of so many in need.

"Your caring has enabled the YMCA of Montclair to give $344,000 in scholarships and help us to continue offering programs that are vital to the community," Short told the packed room of donors.

"To be specific," added Short, "you have positively impacted over 250 children from our School Age Child Care program, 375 families through annual membership, more than 200 individuals in a variety of our programs, and nearly 300 campers each day throughout the summer.

"Over 1,000 lives have been affected because of you and we are eternally grateful for
your support," Short proudly shared with her audience.

The most emotional moment of the breakfast came when Shelley Tonner, Director of Development, announced the creation of the Alejandro Bruno Family Scholarship, and presented his wife Veronica with a plaque commemorating the scholarship. Veronica, who had no prior knowledge this was to take place, was clearly moved and had to fight through tears to thank the YMCA of Montclair for the honor.

The Bruno family owns MBM Cleaning, and they have been the YMCA's commercial cleaning company since 2005. Alejandro, a loving husband and father, passed away suddenly in June at the age of 43, and is sorely missed by his own family and by all those who had the good fortune to know him. When their two children were younger, the YMCA of Montclair provided them with a family scholarship, and Veronica and Alejandro never forgot the kindness extended to them and what it meant to their family.

As a result, the Bruno family considered the YMCA part of their extended family and always donated each year so that other families could benefit just as they had.

According to Tonner, "The Bruno family is very special to us. They have led their lives according to the mission of the YMCA, and their giving is an example of their spirit and generosity. We wanted to create a scholarship that really connected to who Alex was. He was all about family, so we made it a family membership scholarship. His legacy within the YMCA of Montclair and this community
will live on through the families whose lives will be touched by this scholarship."

For Bob and Bobbie Constable, breakfast attendees and donors who give generously every year, moments like this are what make being part of the YMCA so special. "This is one of the reasons I joined the Board many years ago, to be connected to such a worthwhile cause-driven organization." said Bob Constable. "This is what it's all about."