The YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties is pleased to announce that Valeria Galarza, Camden County program director for the Y and project manager of the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Camden (NJPHK), has been named Angel of the Year by the South Jersey Young Professionals Association (SJYPA).
Each year, the SJYPA presents the Halo Award to one young professional who exemplifies an extraordinary commitment to the betterment of South Jersey. Galarza, a resident of Voorhees, is being honored for both her professional and charitable achievements. Through her positions with the Y and NJPHK, Galarza leads initiatives that address food issues and combat the epidemic of childhood obesity.
"We are so proud of Val and the work she has done on behalf of the YMCA in Camden City," said Tim Kerrihard, President and CEO of the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties. "Her efforts in and around the community, both personally and professionally, are inspiring. We are lucky to have such a remarkable individual on our team."
"I am humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to do what I love alongside people who are so inspiring," said Galarza. "I am blessed to have found the Y and my Y family. I share this honor with each of them and my community partners through the NJPHK work."
Galarza will receive the 2014 Halo Award, presented by Annie Mac Home Mortgage, at SJYPA's 2014 Halo Ball on Saturday, February 8 at 6 p.m. at The Westin in Mt. Laurel, located at 555 Fellowship Road.
Proceeds from the 2014 Halo Ball will benefit The Kroc Center Scholarship Fund for The Salvation Army's Ray and Joan Kroc Community Corps Center in Camden. Tickets for the Halo Ball can be purchased directly through the SJYPA website at www.sjypa.org <http://www.sjypa.org/> .
About the Y
The YMCA of Burlington & Camden Counties is a cause-driven, community based, charitable nonprofit organization that strengthens community by building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults and families. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves the community's health and well-being and provides opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Throughout neighborhoods across the two counties and its 50+ sites, the Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower more than 30,000 people each year to learn, grow and thrive. Visit ymca-bc.org <http://ymca-bc.org> .
About New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids
New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids (NJPHK) is a statewide program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with technical assistance and direction provided by the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance. The goal of the program is to convene, connect and empower community partnerships across the state in order to design and implement childhood obesity prevention strategies that support access to affordable healthy foods and increase opportunities for safe physical activity in the cities of Camden, Newark, New Brunswick, Trenton, and Vineland. In Camden, the initiative is supported by the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. For more information about NJPHK-Camden, visit http://www.njhealthykids.org/communities/camden/.
