The Donor Wall at the Centre County Youth Service Bureau gained a few more names on Tuesday afternoon.
The Donor Wall at YSB acknowledges lifetime giving. Several people and businesses — Bruce and Kym Burke (One on One Fitness), Amy Marshall (Babst Calland), Bob Hufnagel (State of the Art), Betsy Suhey and Jack and Marie Makdad — were honored as their lifetime donations eclipsed $50,000.
“It’s huge,” said YSB CEO Andrea Boyles. “It really says that people here are invested in kids, that they are committed charitably to kids and that they recognize the value of YSB and what we do for kids in the community.”
The Donor Wall is one of the first things one sees upon entering the front door at YSB.
“This is a way for us to really recognize people who have given significant gifts over their lifetime,” Boyles said.
Donor Walls are common in hospitals and libraries. When YSB moved its offices from downtown State College, the Donor Wall seemed like a natural, Boyles said.
“When we moved here, that was something that was high on our list. We really wanted to make sure we had a place to acknowledge our lifetime donors,” she said.
There was a short reception for the donors, followed by some brief remarks and photos in front of the wall.
“It’s really just a way for us to say thank you one more time to these folks,” Boyles said.
The Makdads are from Sinking Valley, but feel a close connection to YSB.
“YSB is important to us. Our family has always been involved with children and youth programs. We just kind of got drawn to their cause … we’ve been very lucky, our kids have been very lucky. We’ll do anything we can do to help kids in our community,” Jack Makdad said.
Makdad got involved with YSB through its many events. He was then asked to be on YSB’s Board of Directors.
“I’ve been involved since 1995 or so,” Makdad said. “I’ve seen a lot of organizations that just ask for money. These guys are very proactive doing what it takes to get their own funding. They’re very creative. I was impressed with that.”
Hufnagel is a special member of YSB’s Donor Wall — he’s on it twice. He’s on as an individual, of course. His business, State of the Art, Inc., was added to the wall on Tuesday. At the reception, he joked about “wall domination.”
According to Hufnagel, YSB is a non-profit agency unlike any other in Centre County.
“It offers a wealth of resources that people can’t obtain on their own,” Hufnagel explained. “Being an individual who has been fortunate and been blessed … when my kids had problems I was able to help them. Most people don’t have that wherewithal. I think from the development standpoint of the community, it’s best for us to have those resources available for people.”
Hufnagel said that while it’s nice to be recognized on the Donor Wall, that’s not what his contributions are all about.
“It’s really all about the kids,” he said. “(YSB) makes for a better, stronger community.”
