Two Monroe women were among the honorees during the Lakewood-Trumbull YMCA second annual Robin Bova Memorial “Have a Heart for a Cause” Gala, a fundraising dinner held at Tashua Knolls in Trumbull on Feb. 6.
Bova, a member of Masuk High School’s Class of 1985, was a mother, a paraprofessional at the Trumbull Early Childhood Education Center, a fitness trainer and certified Zumba instructor known for her “beautiful smile, infectious laugh and great sense of humor,” according to the event program.
The Honesty Award, which is presented to a deserving YMCA staff member every year, was inspired by Bova. This year’s recipient was Linda Resnick, of Monroe, a personal trainer who also works in membership services.
“I call the Y my ‘Y community.’ It’s one of my happy places,” Resnick said in a recent phone interview. “This tremendous. It’s truly an honor to be recognized by the staff and the members. It makes me want to continue giving back to them.”
Among the others receiving recognition were Kelly Plunkett of Monroe, who was given the Responsibility Award, Jeanne Kirchner, the Caring Award, and Dee Chiota, the Respect Award.
All award winners are “outstanding individuals who embody the Y’s Core Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility,” according to a press release about the fundraising dinner.
Nearly $34,000 was raised from the gala, which will benefit Livestrong, a 12-week physical activity program at the YMCA designed to help adult cancer survivors regain strength through exercise; Rock Steady for people with Parkinson’s and MS Yoga programs, as well as future chronic disease programs.
These programs are free of charge and open to the greater community.
This year’s dinner had over 160 guests and the fundraiser brought in more than the $24,000 it had last year.
‘Lots of hugs’
Resnick said she has dedicated 22 years to the staff and members of the YMCA.
“I am involved in many, many programs, but my heart lies with the Livestrong program for cancer survivors,” she said. “I am a cancer survivor and the Y was one of the groups that supported me during that time. They allowed me to work when I could and to have someone work for me when I could not.”
Resnick, a Monroe resident of 31 years, and her husband raised their three children in town. Over a decade ago, she had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.
“I’m almost a 14-year-survivor, so I pay it forward every day,” she said.
Resnick said she feels a closeness with the people she encounters daily at the YMCA.
“Sometimes it’s just the little things. If you know the members, their life story or problems they deal with, sometimes just saying, ‘hello, how are you doing today?’ when someone lost a family member or something like that — just to be caring about your Y community,” Resnick said of their interactions.
“I give a lot of hugs at work,” Resnick said. “I always ask. I work with a lot of seniors. If they lose a spouse, a child or a parent, I look at them and say, ‘do you need a hug today?’ and most of them say, ‘I really do.’ Okay, here it comes.”
Making Monroe sparkle
It was Resnick who nominated her friend, Kelly Plunkett, for the Responsibility Award.
“I’ve known Kelly for a minimum of 15 to 16 years,” Resnick said. “She’s involved in many projects for the betterment of our community.”
Some things that immediately come to mind for Resnick was Plunkett’s involvement in Project Warmth, her managing the Monroe Farmers’ Market and, when she was a member of the Board of Education, working to get out the vote for the budget, no matter how people voted.
“She’s so town community oriented that she truly deserved to be honored in that way,” Resnick said of Plunkett.
“My family were not volunteer people at all,” Plunkett said. “My mother is now. I tell her I rubbed off on her. I’m not sure how I got the bug. I never volunteered or was involved with anything until my kids were in school.”
Plunkett said joining a PTO when her two children were younger may have sparked her interest in serving her community. “All of my friends are volunteers too,” she said. “One person gets involved in an organization and you go, ‘oh, I would like to do that.'”
When Plunkett was a Board of Education member, she volunteered to setup the library at Chalk Hill when the town allowed Sandy Hook Elementary School to use the building after the tragic shooting there.
“I coordinated the Monroe volunteers and quietly hand-picked individuals I knew had library experience, who I trusted would not turn it into a publicity stunt,” she recalled.
Plunkett also volunteered for the community build for the Wolfe’s Den Playground at Wolfe Park and for Monroe’s Bicentennial Celebration, among many causes and events.
“If you need something done, ask a busy person,” she said. “I’m organized and scheduled. Someone says, ‘can you help me do this?’ ‘Yep, two to four is open.’ I hate to say no. I’m getting better in my old age.”
Plunkett serves on the Monroe Farmers’ Market Committee with Resnick, her friend of 15 years. “She’s just very giving, loving and supportive,” she said of Resnick.
Under Plunkett’s leadership, Monroe’s market has been chosen as the No. 1 farmers’ market in Connecticut in an online poll on multiple years.
“I love doing the farmers’ market and hearing the feedback of what people enjoy,” she said.
All of the Monroe Farmers’ Market’s volunteers attended the gala to support Plunkett and Resnick.
“I’m very touched,” Plunkett said of the Responsibility Award. “It’s quite an honor. I’m not a very big spotlight person. I don’t need a constant pat on the back and this public of a show.”
Shannon Reilly, of Monroe, a friend of Plunkett’s, attended the dinner.
“Kelly is the kind of person who shows up — not just for her friends and family, but for her entire community,” Reilly said. “She gives her time, energy and heart without hesitation, and she does it not for recognition, but because that’s simply who she is. Her impact is felt by so many people in so many ways, and this award is a well-deserved reflection of the kindness and dedication she brings to everything she does.”
“Our town is a special place, and people choose to raise their families here because of the strong sense of community,” she continued. “Kelly embodies that spirit in everything she does. From running our award-winning farmers market to the countless ways she gives back, she brings people together and makes this town shine. Honestly, I think the town would sparkle a little less without her, and I am truly honored to call her my friend.”
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