At the Greater Austin YMCA’s 2024 Annual Gratitude Luncheon, we gather to honor the volunteers and community partners who have made remarkable contributions over the past year. These individuals and organizations are the heart of our mission, helping us build stronger, healthier communities. Each year, we present several awards to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in service, leadership and partnership.
Below, we celebrate our 2024 award recipients and speakers who inspire us with their dedication and leadership.
Award Descriptions
Gerald T. Olson Distinguished Service Award
In memory of longtime YMCA member and volunteer Gerald “Jerry” Olson, this honor is awarded to an outstanding volunteer for exceptional service and dedication. This award recognizes remarkable achievements and commitment to advancing the mission of the Greater Austin YMCA.
Will W. Miller Award for Volunteer Leadership
The Will W. Miller Award is one of the most prestigious honors a volunteer can receive from the Greater Austin YMCA. It is presented to individuals of high character whose leadership and vision have made significant and lasting contributions to the organization and the community it serves.
Community Partner of the Year
Awarded to an organization or company that collaborates closely with the YMCA, this award recognizes partnerships that help extend the Y’s reach across Texas and empower local communities. Such partnerships are essential to advancing the Y’s mission and creating a positive impact.
Legacy Partner of the Year
Speaker Bios
Keynote Speaker: Trennis Jones Vice President, Community Impact – Austin FC
Trennis Jones serves as Vice President of Community Impact at Austin FC, Austin’s first major sports team. He is passionate about using the power of sports to enrich and uplift the community. He has more than two decades of experience in the sports industry, having previously worked as a Player Agent at Octagon, led the Positive Coaching Alliance in Texas, and held a role in the Phoenix Suns’ Front Office.
A native of Austin, Trennis earned a BA in Communication from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he was a scholarship athlete on the Men’s Basketball Team. In his free time, he enjoys golf, reading and spending time with his family.
Follow Trennis Jones on social media:
- LinkedIn: Trennis Jones
- Instagram: @trennis512
- Twitter: @trennis512
Inspirational Message: District 2 Austin City Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes
Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes represents District 2, one of Austin’s most diverse and rapidly growing areas. Since taking office in 2021, she has fought for affordable housing, public health, and economic resilience. As Chair of the Public Health Committee, she has been instrumental in initiatives that promote mental health services, food access, and displacement prevention.
Among her notable accomplishments are successfully raising the City’s minimum wage to $20 per hour, establishing Texas’ first-ever Trauma Recovery Center, and increasing childcare accessibility in Austin.
Follow Councilwoman Fuentes on social media:
@vanessaforatx on all platforms.
Awardee Spotlights
Gerald T. Olson Distinguished Service Award: Brian Carpenter
Brian Carpenter has been an outstanding volunteer for the Greater Austin YMCA, dedicating numerous hours over the past two years to support YMCA programs and initiatives. His leadership in the Rockin’ the Springs Event has made a profound impact, increasing community participation, sponsorship, and fundraising outcomes.
Brian embodies the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. His tireless efforts and leadership have positively impacted our programs, members, and staff. Brian’s dedication makes him an exemplary recipient of the Gerald T. Olson Distinguished Service Award.
Gerald T. Olson Distinguished Service Award: Sam Gervase
Sam Gervase stepped into the role of Chair of the East Communities YMCA Community Advancement Board (CAB) with unwavering dedication. While temporarily residing in Aspen due to his husband’s fellowship, Sam remained an active leader, organizing meetings, planning events, and contributing financially to the YMCA’s mission.
Sam’s commitment to recruiting new board members, leading fundraisers, and advancing YMCA initiatives has been nothing short of remarkable. He has been an instrumental figure in the growth and success of the YMCA’s East Communities programs, making him a deserving recipient of this award.
Will W. Miller Award: Bart Gunkel
Bart joined the Metro Board in 2009 and has served in various roles, most recently as the Chair of the Board Engagement and Philanthropy Committee over the last two years. He has been a Campaign Chair or Team Captain for the Metro Annual Giving Campaign nearly every year for the last decade, leading our fundraising efforts and embodying a true philanthropic spirit.
His Y story goes way back and has always been a core part of his life. He knows firsthand the value of the Y in a child’s life and carries his passion for the Y with a big smile that opens people’s hearts. One of his greatest strengths is his ability to connect. He always seems to know the right person to introduce to the Y, no matter what we’re trying to accomplish. His unwavering dedication and leadership continue to set a standard that inspires others to follow.
Community Partner of the Year Award: Best Buy Foundation
Since opening, 99% of students leave the Teen Tech Center feeling better than when they arrived, thanks to the creative and supportive environment that has been built. One student is now recording music in our sound booth, while another is creating 3D printed art and designing characters for future projects. The dedication of mentors across various fields, like photography and programming, has been instrumental in sparking new passions. Best Buy’s support and commitment to our growth has been invaluable in building the thriving, engaged community.
Legacy Partner of the Year Award: JE Dunn Construction
Triangle Society
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