Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Y. Essential in fulfilling our promise to strengthen community, Y volunteers help us innovate to provide relevant responses to the communities’ ever changing needs. They strengthen our leadership by serving on our boards. They build our capacity to serve by leading our annual and capital campaigns. They transform lives by serving as leaders in Y facilities and out in the community.

Each year our YMCAs recognize a select few for their outstanding contributions of time and talent to improve the lives of our youth, adults, families.

YMCA of Silicon Valley is honored to recognize Gaurav Vijayvargiya for his dedication and service to our community. We are a stronger YMCA thanks to your efforts!

Gaurav Vijayvargiya - 2022 Distinguished Service Award

Gaurav joined the YMCA of Silicon Valley Board of Directors in the midst of the pandemic, and hit the ground running, currently serving on the Annual Campaign and the Project Cornerstone Board committees. Through his work on the Annual Campaign Committee, Gaurav has been a strategic thought partner for new financial development initiatives. He helped develop and execute a plan to support board members in identifying and reaching new donors for the Y through their LinkedIn networks, as well as making connections to new potential corporate funders. Gaurav and his wife, Poonam, were first introduced to the Y as volunteers for Project Cornerstone at their oldest daughter’s school, where they saw first-hand the positive impact this program has on youth and the communities that surround them. Gaurav says, “The community needs the Y now more than ever.” Gaurav actively seeks to be “a bridge” to help connect others to the Y who, like him, want to give back to their community, and ensure that everyone knows the true scope of our impact.