Tom Aiello has been named the Town of Fountain Hills 2019 Volunteer of the Year. His selection was announced April 3 at the annual volunteer reception for the town.

Aiello serves as coordinator for the Fountain Hills Crisis Response Team, volunteers who support the Fountain Hills Fire Department and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. They are called to the scene to offer help and support to family members and loved ones when there is a tragic incident. They remain to help after firefighters and deputies need to move on to other duties.

Aiello retired after 22 years as a police officer and homicide detective in New York City. He moved to Fountain Hills eight years ago, and has been coordinator of the Crisis Team for four years.

Aiello is also a member of the town’s McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission and volunteers his time with the Sonoran Conservancy Trailblazers, building and maintaining trails in the Fountain Hills Preserve.

The Volunteer reception is held to honor the nearly 1,000 people who volunteer their time for the Town of Fountain Hills. Organized by Volunteer Coordinator Heather Ware, she produced her usual “pun-filled” evening with the theme of Under the Sea.

Others honored on the evening were Chris and Mike Dacey and Tama Laluk for their 25 years of service with Home Delivered Meals, supporting those individuals wanting a hot meal and some good company.

Gloria Coleman was outstanding Volunteer for the Senior Services program, helping out with events and activities at the Activity Center. She also volunteers with McDowell Mountain Elementary School.

Outstanding volunteer for the Community Center is Rose Brand. She can be found at the front desk answering questions and helping people locate the event or activity they are looking for.

Sharron Grzybowski was selected as Outstanding Volunteer for the Community Services Parks and Recreation Division. She is a great advocate for events and activities hosted by Parks and Recreation and serves on the Community Services Advisory Commission.

Development Services has named Susan Dempster as Outstanding Volunteer for her work in that department. She is chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission and is active with the Community Garden, president of the Neighborhood Property Owners Association and works with Rescue Pals.

Karen Bugeja was selected Outstanding Volunteer for the Administration Department, Finance Division. A retired project manager for AT&T, Bugeja is always ready to tackle the day-to-day tasks that go with just getting the job done.

Cheryl Ponzo is the Outstanding Volunteer for the Administration Volunteer Program. She is cited as a wonderful ambassador for the town who is always willing to help out at a variety of events and activities. She can often be found with a friendly smile at the front desk.

As many as a couple of dozen high school students were recognized for participation in the Mayor’s Youth Council, which brings a young perspective to town issues and helps out at a variety of events and activities. It is a learning experience with an emphasis on leadership.

Town Manager Grady Miller summed up the town’s appreciation by noting that Sun City, which promotes itself as a community of volunteers, does not have as many volunteers as Fountain Hills and is a much larger community.

Miller quoted Dr. Martin Luther King in saying, “you find yourself by losing yourself in service to others.”