Meet 20 Centre County volunteers who have a big impact on local nonprofits

Editor’s note: Each year, the Centre County Council for Human Services honors volunteers who work to further the mission of CCCHS’ member agencies. The Rose Cologne Volunteer Recognition is named after the first recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award.

Volunteers are the heart and soul of Centre County, and we at the Centre County Council for Human Services (CCCHS) are so grateful for their amazing contributions to our nonprofit members!

These incredible individuals are always there when we need them, ready to lend a hand and tackle any task. Thanks to their generosity, nonprofit staff can breathe a little easier, and our underprivileged community members can access vital services like health care, housing and counseling.

At CCCHS, we truly value these volunteers and the time they dedicate to our member organizations. We are thrilled to celebrate these outstanding individuals at our annual Rose Cologne Dinner & Volunteer Recognition. Join us in saying a big “thank you” during National Volunteer Month!

Aidan Yanchick

Agency: Centre Helps

Length of service: 14 months

Roles: Aidan serves as a crisis hotline counselor, providing emotional support, suicide risk assessment, de-escalation, and resource navigation to individuals in crisis. He responds to a wide range of mental health concerns. Aidan also mentors new trainees, collaborates with fellow volunteers during after-hours support, and participates in community events and ongoing training to support his colleagues, contribute to the agency, and ensure people in crisis receive compassionate, helpful, and high-quality care.

Reason for volunteering: “Centre Helps offers an opportunity to connect with countless individuals and make a tangible impact on their lives. I volunteer at Centre Helps because I knew it would be the most rewarding thing I had ever done in my life, and it has absolutely lived up to that expectation.”

Todd Ciancarelli

Agency: Housing Transitions

Length of service: 10 years

Roles: Todd has been an instrumental part of the Housing Transitions board for nine years. He has served Housing Transitions’ Board of Directors in the following capacities: leading law student, board member, vice president for two years, and president for four years.

Reason for volunteering: Almost a decade ago, Todd’s eyes were opened to an organization whose dedication, depth of impact, and importance rivals that of any other organization in Centre County, but whose name is far too often as unknown to others as it was to him. It is that very dedication and impact by Housing Transitions that inspired him to volunteer in an effort to open the eyes of others to the organization working tirelessly to ensure that everybody else in Centre County can find and maintain a place to call “home,” too.

Andrew Maguire

Agency: The HOME Foundation

Length of service: 20 years

Roles: He recently completed a 10-year tenure as board chair of The HOME Foundation, where he worked alongside passionate staff and board members to support the organization’s mission. Prior to this role, Andrew served three terms on the board of Housing Transitions, THF’s sister organization, advocating for individuals facing homelessness and housing insecurity.

Reason for volunteering: “Volunteering has shown me the incredible impact our community can have when people come together to support one another. It’s a reminder that real change happens when we work together to build a stronger, more supportive community.”

Lina Hood

Agency: Centre Volunteers in Medicine

Length of service: 21 years

Roles: Many clinical and administrative data projects; worked many hours for the COVID vaccine clinics

Reason for volunteering: “I find it a very warm, inviting place to work and enjoy the many contacts I have made there.”

Elaine Berrena

Agency: Tides Program

Length of service: 8 years

Roles: Elaine has volunteered in every volunteer role within our organization.

Reason for volunteering: “Death is an inevitable part of life, yet grief can feel profoundly isolating. As a co-facilitator with Tides, my goal is to create a safe space where individuals can share their grief journeys and find connection with others. I’m passionate about contributing my time and skills to support well-being, particularly during times of distress. I strive to offer compassion and open-hearted acceptance to everyone within our community, both participants and fellow volunteers.”

Karen Dabney

Agency: Mid-State Literacy Council

Length of service: 5 years

Roles: Karen joined MSLC in 2020, a little nervous but eager to help English learners express themselves and integrate into local life. Since then, she has become a confident, beloved member of the organization. She has tutored a student for years, taught Everyday English classes, co-designed a workshop on culture, and offered valuable mentoring to new volunteers. Whatever the task, Karen brings child-like curiosity, a desire to learn and improve, and a heart full of compassion and appreciation for others.

Reason for volunteering: “I enjoy volunteering for Mid-State Literacy Council because we make a real difference for our students, in a supportive and kind environment. Teaching English to people from other countries goes beyond language. I help them understand and navigate American culture so our community can start to feel like home.”

Nancy Spooner

Agency: PA Prison Society (Centre County Chapter)

Length of service: 5 years

Roles: Nancy has been an invaluable and integral member of the Prison Society during her five-year tenure, consistently demonstrating leadership and commitment. She has served in key roles, including co-president, convener, and official visitor, where she was instrumental in fostering communication and coordinating activities within the chapter. Simultaneously, Nancy provided consistent hands-on advocacy for incarcerated individuals and their families, tirelessly working to support their needs.

Reason for volunteering: “I was drawn to this work due to the experiences of a few close friends who were incarcerated in state facilities. Through their stories, I gained invaluable insight into the harsh realities of incarceration and witnessed firsthand how it profoundly impacts not only the individuals involved but also their families.”

Patty Dyer

Agency: State College Food Bank

Length of service: 10 years

Roles: Client intake, greeter, grocery assistant, freezer and dairy assistant during distribution, admin/office support

Reason for volunteering: “I strongly believe in giving back to your community. And that no human being, regardless of who they are or where they are from, should be hungry.”

Wayne Litz

Agency: Constitution Day Centre

Length of service: 6 years

Roles: Video contributor, board member

Reason for volunteering: “The Constitution is the cornerstone of our Democracy. In this modern era, the strength of our Constitution is being tested and civil discourse is waning. I volunteer because every American deserves the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We deserve to have our voices heard!”

Maureen Welesko

Agency: Schlow Centre Region Library

Length of service: 12 1/2 years

Roles: In 2012, Maureen began her volunteering journey at Schlow Library, serving for seven years on the board of trustees. During her tenure on the board, she chaired the Governance Committee and represented the trustees at meetings of the Schlow Library Foundation Board. She also held the positions of vice president and president.

Reason for volunteering: “I understand the needs of the staff and am happy to help them provide resources and programs for the community by volunteering at Schlow. The Schlow staff are warm and welcoming and care deeply about all members of our community, which makes me want to support them.”

Anne Gross

Agency: Village at Penn State

Length of service: 7 years

Roles: Music committee; started a resident band called Sentimental Journey and directs the band, coordinates the music, rehearsals and schedules their various concerts. Plays piano for monthly church services and helps maintain the Village library and helps organize tailgate parties at VPS. Conducts annual fundraiser at VPS to benefit CVIM. She is also involved in the Centre County community.

Reason for volunteering: “I don’t consider ‘things I do’ at The Village as volunteering, but as ‘things I get to do.’ Directing our resident’s band ‘Sentimental Journey,’ selecting music, rehearsing, and then performing ... it’s downright fun! Likewise, playing for scheduled church services each month is rewarding. I’m grateful to share my talents.”

JoAnn Vautour

Agency: Park Forest Preschool

Length of service: 5 years

Roles: JoAnn joined the Park Forest Preschool Board of Directors in the 2019-2020 school year. She jumped right in, joining the Governance & Futures committee as well as serving as co-chair for the Public Relations and Outreach committee.

Reason for volunteering: “I am passionate about the mission of the Park Forest Preschool: to provide high quality preschool programming at no cost for eligible families in Centre County.”

Peter Kemper

Agency: State College Community Land Trust

Length of service: 5 years

Roles: Board president, board member (public representative)

Reason for volunteering: “At State College Community Land Trust real estate closings, it gives me great pleasure to see the joy in the faces of first-time homeowners as they get the keys to their own affordable home.”

Bill Lukens

Agency: Foxdale Village

Length of service: 4 years

Roles: The Foxdale Garage Sale is a semi-annual resident facilitated event that helps fund the many programs and resident interest groups. In part to Bill Lukens’ volunteerism, the garage sale has had many years of success. Bill plays an integral role in helping to organize and sort donations by category. Another important role is Bill has taken the lead in is supporting residents and families through transition and helping them to identify items for donation. Bill goes above and beyond by supporting the packing and moving of these items to the garage sale storage.

Reason for volunteering: “In 2021, I was asked to take over the organization of donations for our semi-annual Garage Sale. Recently, I began working with residents and their families in cleaning out residences. They take what they want, and I finish the clean-out. Items not useful for the Garage Sale are donated to local charities. I am honored to provide this service to the Foxdale community.”

Vickie Flood

Agency: State College Area Meals on Wheels

Length of service: nearly 6 years

Roles: Vickie Flood has been a Meals on Wheels Volunteer since 2019 after retiring here from New York. Vickie is early for her shifts and hits the ground running with tons of energy and a positive and congenial attitude! Always ready to help where necessary, you can see her in the dish room, packing meals on the meal line or delivering Bucket Gardens to the clients in the spring. Her husband Ron, also a “regular” Friday volunteer, shares Vickie’s dynamo work ethic! We are blessed to have Vickie as a member of our Meals on Wheels family!

Reason for volunteering: “The instinct to help others speaks to what it is to be human. Not a single one of us made it to where we are without the help of someone along the way. Working towards a shared goal with the State College MOW Team fills me with pride.”

Amy Wilson

Agency: American Association of University Women, State College Branch

Length of service: 13 years

Roles: Financial Review Committee co-chair; Nominating Committee chair: Co-Secretary; booksale member

Reason for volunteering: “Education is the foundation, opportunity, and path to freedom leading to economic stability, health, and strong communities. I volunteer for AAUW State College because they build equity, education, and leadership for the benefit of us all. And, the friendships, collaborations, and multi-generational wisdom inspire me.”

Marc Warren

Agency: Jana Marie Foundation

Length of service: over 3 years

Roles: Marc Warren is a dedicated advocate and invaluable support of the Jana Marie Foundation. Each year, Marc embarks on a 150-mile bike ride on the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) to raise vital funds and awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. Whether volunteering his time or championing our community events, Marc’s unwavering commitment brings hope and encouragement to countless individuals. Jana Marie Foundation is deeply grateful for Marc’s continuous efforts in creating a world where mental well-being is prioritized, and no one feels alone in their struggles.

Reason for volunteering: “I support the Jana Marie Foundation because of their relentless dedication and passion for fostering strong and resilient mental health in our youth. The life skills they teach will benefit the youth throughout their entire lives. JMF helps give youth the confidence that, no matter what life throws their way, they can endure.”

Jen Edwards

Agency: Centre Safe

Length of service: 1 year

Roles: Volunteer counselor/advocate

Reason for volunteering: “I volunteer at Centre Safe because it gives me the chance to make a difference in the lives of those going through difficult times. I can offer support and resources to help empower them towards healing and self-sufficiency. I am grateful to be a part of this amazing group.”

Kevin Mahood

Agency: Bridge of Hope Centre County

Length of service: 4 years

Roles: Treasurer on the board of directors

Reason for volunteering: “I’ve seen firsthand how homelessness impacts families. I want to be a part of the support system that helps families find stability, hope, and a path forward. Everyone deserves a safe space to call home, and I’m grateful to play a role in making that possible.”

Erin Valenta

Agency: Center for Alternatives in Community Justice - Youth Aid Panel Program

Length of service: 1 year

Roles: Erin is a 3L PSU law student and has been a panel member since September 2023. By October she had already started mentoring a youth. Since then, Erin has mentored four additional youth while juggling her studies, a part-time job, and other volunteer work. Erin cares deeply about youth and wants to play a meaningful part in improving their lives. In her time with the panel, Erin has been an advocate of the program; recruiting two of her fellow law students to join as volunteers. Erin will be missed by the panel when she graduates this spring.

Reason for volunteering: “I joined the Youth Aid Panel because I believe in restorative justice and diversionary programs. Such programs cannot function without community support, so joining the Panel was an easy decision.”