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Breakfast of Champions for Youth
December 10, 2024
First Energy Stadium
Redner’s Event Center
1900 Centre Avenue
Reading, PA 19605
For 166 years and counting, YMCA of Reading & Berks County has provided services and programs that teach skills, build confidence, give hope, and change people’s lives. As one of the nation’s leading nonprofits, the Y strengthens communities through its intentional focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
The strong support of our donors and the organization’s fiscal responsibility make it possible to offer quality programming for every age and stage of life, regardless of one’s ability to pay. From infancy and youth to adulthood and senior living, the Y is a model of community health – mentally, physically and emotionally.
For children, the Y’s enrichment programs teach them values and what it means to be productive citizens with goals to reach. For adults, including parents and role models, we provide the educational resources and support to become self-sufficient and contributing members of society. For families, we provide programming for enrichment, fitness, and social activities for fun ways to stay connected. By evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of our community, the Y continues to be a cornerstone in Berks and Lancaster counties.
We are appreciative of the time and talents our Board of Directors as well as the volunteers, staff and partnering organizations. Together, we can make a big difference!
Breakfast begins at 7:00 AM | Program begins at 7:30 AM
Champion for Youth 2024 Honorees
Richard Palmer, Sr. Wealth & Wisdom Award
Richard Palmer was a dedicated volunteer and board member of the YMCA of Reading & Berks County that led the efforts to bring the Reading YMCA back to its former glory after the 1985 fire that devastated the building.
Craig Poole
Thank you for your gifts of wealth & wisdom you use every day to uplift our community. You have reinvigorated Greater Reading through big ideas, collaborative approach, and genuine heart to help others succeed.
James Sternbergh Faith & Guidance Award
James Sternbergh rebooted the YMCA after the Civil War and put the Y in a position to maintain its presence in the community.
John Muir
Thank you for your unrelenting faith and unwavering guidance, which are an inspiration to those who have the privilege of working beside you. Your passion to make a difference and laser focus on achieving great things for those in our community are a blessing to us all.
Robert & Rosemarie Miller Community Impact Award
Robert Miller formed the USO at the Y during WWII to support soldiers stationed at Hopewell. Together, Robert and Rosemarie were the founding partners of our international work.
Mark Rozzi
Thank you for your deep commitment and active role in our community. Through your everyday efforts, you improve the quality of life in Berks County. From your work on education and safety for youth to inclusion and equality for adults, you embody the core values of the Y.
Eugene Shirk Youth Leadership Award
Recognizing an outstanding young leader who has shown initiative, creativity, and resilience in driving positive change and inspiring those around them, helping to improve their community.
Christopher Fransisco-Martinez
The Y is proud of your impressive qualities of leadership, and encourages you to keep reaching for new heights. We recognize you for your exceptional potential, emerging talents, and exemplary character you demonstrate, which inspires others to achieve greatness.
Jere Edwards Spirit of Youth Award
Largely credited for the Y headquarters in Reading, James “Jere” Edwards served as General Secretary 1889-1933. By creating a central branch, he created a space where youth were well served.
Richard Auman & Dorthy Haas Charitable Trust
Thank you for your deep commitment and active role in our community. Through your everyday efforts, you improve the quality of life in Berks County. From your work on education and safety for youth to inclusion and equality for adults, you embody the core values of the Y.
Red Triangle Award
The Red Triangle Award represents the rich historic legacy and successes that the Y has had in helping its communities for more than a century. The original logo used the red triangle, the strongest geometric shape, to symbolize strength of the mind, body and spirit.
Customers Bank & East Penn Manufacturing
In appreciation of your generous spirit and contributions to the YMCA of Reading & Berks County that allow us to maintain programs and services that make individuals and families stronger, and in turn, build a stronger community for us all.
Past Honorees
Robert Kerper
Anita Chaney
Christine Wullert
Richard Palmer
Janice Miller
Michael O’Pake
Jay Sidhu
Albert Boscov
Severin Fayerman
Ned Diefenderfer
Joanne M. Judge
William Buckholz
P. Michael Ehlerman
Christopher Pruitt
Carl Herbein
Bruce Smith
Daniel Huyett
Hamid Chaudhry
Craig Poole
John Gallen, Jr.
Dick Ehst
James Boscov
Michael Duff
Thank you to our sponsors for giving generously to the
2024 Breakfast of Champions for Youth
Dorothy M Haas Charitable Trust
Customers Bank
M&T Bank
Precor
Barley Snyder
Comcast
East Penn Manufacturing Company
Herbein + Company, Inc.
Kozloff Stoudt
EHD, Inc.
EthoSource, LLC
Keystone Instant Printing
Penn State Health, St. Joseph’s Medical Center
Burkey Construction Company
Fulton Bank
Greater Reading Chamber Alliance
Gulati Family Foundation
Penske Truck Leasing Company
Reading School District
Smith | Bukowski
Stevens & Lee/Griffin Financial
UGI Energy Services Inc.
Alarm Tech Systems, Inc.
First Energy
Reading Health Systems/ Tower Health
Weik Capital Management
Alvernia University
Anita & Robert Chaney
Clements Associates, Inc.
Hubric Resources
Mid Penn Bank
Solve IT Solutions LLC
Gage Personnel
Reading Area Community College
South Mountain YMCA Camps
Penn State Berks
Breidegam Family Foundation
2023 Honoree
Mike Duff
Vice President – Community Engagement for Penske Transportation Solutions
Breakfast of Champions for Youth
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Breakfast begins at 7:00 AM | Program begins at 7:30 AM
DoubleTree by Hilton Reading
You’ve heard breakfast is the most important meal of the day, now get ready for the most important meal of the year! Please join us as we celebrate our 2023 Champion for Youth, Michael Duff, Vice President – Community Engagement for Penske Transportation Solutions.
ABOUT MIKE DUFF
Mike Duff is Vice President—Community Engagement for Penske Transportation Solutions, the umbrella brand for Penske Truck Leasing, Penske Logistics, Epes Transport Systems, Black Horse Carriers, Penske Vehicle Services, and related businesses that provide innovative transportation, supply chain and technology solutions to keep the world moving forward. He joined the Penske Legal Department in 1991 and served as the company’s General Counsel from April 2001 until February 2015, and as its Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President of Government Relations from February 2015 until April 2021. Before joining the Penske Legal Department, Mike was an associate with the Venable LLP law firm in Baltimore from 1985 to 1991. He is a graduate of The Johns Hopkins University and the University of Baltimore School of Law. Mike is a member of the bars of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Mike served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Berks County (UWBC) from January 2016 to January 2018. Mike and his wife Diane served as Co-Chairs of UWBC’s 2011 Campaign, which raised over $9 million to fund programs in UWBC’s target areas of education, health, income, and safety net services. Mike and Diane also served as Co-Chairs of UWBC’s Tocqueville Society in 2013 and 2014. They served as Co-Chairs of the Berks Deanery for the 2014 Bishop’s Annual Appeal for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown. From 2018 to 2021, they served as Co-Chairs of Caron’s Central Pennsylvania Advisory Committee. Mike served as Chair of the Board of the John Paul II Center for Special Learning from 2020 to 2022. In 2018, Mike served as Chair of the Board of the Truck Renting and Leasing Association.
Mike and Diane have been recognized by a number of nonprofits for their service to the community and philanthropy, including:
- In 2015, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Berks Regional Chapter named Mike and Diane “Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser”
- In 2018, Mike and Diane received the Wilbur H. Doran Award, the United Way of Berks County’s top volunteer award
- In 2019, Mike and Diane received the Halo Award from the John Paul II Center for Special Learning
- In 2019, Mike and Diane received the Sidney D. Kline, Jr. Award for Outstanding Community Service from the Law Foundation of Berks County
- In 2021, Mike and Diane received the “Spirit of Reading Award” from the Salvation Army of Reading
- In 2021, Mike and Diane received the “Spirit of Giving Award” from Clare of Assisi House
Mike currently serves on the Boards of a number of non-profit organizations, including:
- The Reading Symphony Orchestra, where he serves as Board President
- The Greater Reading Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, where he serves as Secretary
- The Greater Berks Development Fund, where he serves as Secretary
- Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center, where he serves as Vice Chair
- Alvernia University, where he serves as Vice Chair
- United Way of Berks County
- Caron, where he serves as Chair of its Greater Pennsylvania Advisory Board and as an ex officio member of the Caron Board
Mike heads the Lector ministry at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish and serves on the Parish Finance Committee. He also serves on the Audit and Compliance and Finance Committees for the Penn State Health Board of Directors. He is a member of the Capital Campaign Review Board of Berks County. In 2014, he served as President of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel.
Mike and Diane were married in August 1984 and have resided in Lower Heidelberg Township since 1991. They have two adult sons—Alex (Philadelphia) and Steven (Charlotte, North Carolina).