 Dave Desimone, Somerset Hills YMCA Member and Volunteer
The Y’s Special Olympic Aquatics program which helps people with intellectual disabilities develop self confidence and social skills through sports training and competition, relies on caring and enthusiastic volunteer coaches to deliver the weekly workout. One of which is the volunteer head coach of the program, Dave Desimone.
Dave has been volunteering with Special Olympics for 5 years. He began his involvement with the program as a volunteer swim instruction and has been the head coach for the past 4 years.
The program under Dave’s leadership has grown in the last three years from 15 to 26 athletes. Under Dave’s leadership these athletes will log over 500 hours of practice and compete in 320 races across six meets. They have won tons of "iron", I.e. medals at events. They earned first place at the summer Games 4X40 Open Female Free relay team each of the past two years. Dave also actively recruits volunteers as well and will manage 25 volunteers this year who will contribute about 400 hours of volunteer time.
"Dave has been Sammy's coach for 4 wonderful years and has developed a wonderful program for our children. My daughter Sammy loves swimming for Coach Dave and being with her teammates. She thinks he is terrific! He has adult volunteers, high school athletes, giving many hours of their time to our athletes. If it wasn't for his dedication and love for our children, we wouldn't have such a terrific swim team. His commitment is outstanding and we are forever grateful."- Robin Lamonte - Special Olympics parent
The Special Olympics program at the Y runs from November through June with practices every Sunday from 3-5pm.
Dave is also an active member of the Somerset Hills YMCA Aquatics Committee. He has been serving on that committee since it began 2 years ago.
Thank you Dave for your outstanding volunteer service!
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