Home » “Cream King” Phil Volpe To Be Honored By Hopewell Valley YMCA

“Cream King” Phil Volpe To Be Honored By Hopewell Valley YMCA

by Mary Galioto

The Hopewell Valley YMCA this week announced that the “Cream King” Phil Volpe will be this year’s recipient of the 2015 Larry Rothwell Social Responsibility Award.  Phil will be recognized at the YMCA’s Spring Into Summer Cocktail Benefit in the evening of Friday, June 5th at TPC Jasna Polana in Princeton.

The Larry Rothwell Social Responsibility Award recognizes heroes and leaders local heroes and leaders whose service to others has become a guiding light to our community.  Named after Larry Rothwell of Pennington Quality Market for their continued philanthropy and service to the community, the award emphasizes a premier area of focus of the Hopewell Valley YMCA’s Mission, programs and services. The Larry Rothwell Social Responsibility Award was first presented to Sheryl Stone in 2013, followed by last year’s recipients, Jean & John Gianacaci of Christine’s Hope for Kids.

A selection committee reviewed a list of nominations for this year’s award and unanimously selected Phil because of his generosity to not only the Hopewell Valley YMCA, but to numerous local non-profits.  Phil has established a legacy of responsible community stewardship with “Cream King’s Mondays” supporting local charities.  In addition to the Cream King Monday benefits, Phil has donated countless products and services to the YMCA, and truly believes that it’s important to teach young people about giving.

“Service learning is a very important aspect of youth development,” stated Doug Pszczolkowski, CEO of the Hopewell Valley YMCA. “Phil Volpe provides opportunities for area teens to experience the joy of serving others.  In addition to donating sales from Cream King Mondays and the staff tips, Phil provides our campers with make your own sundaes.”  The campers love seeing Phil and the crew come every Friday.  Parents have been admonished by their children if they pick up too early on Fridays because the kids cannot miss their weekly sweet treat.

In addition to his business support for the YMCA, the Volpe family donates money to the Hopewell Valley YMCA Annual Campaign for Kids, which in turn provides financial assistance for summer camp and after school programming.  Phil serves on the YMCA’s volunteer Board of Directors and recently completed a lengthy term as the President of the Board.  Phil started the organization’s annual giving campaign and leads by example.  Phil likes to say that his “real job” is in sales for ebm papst, but his heart is ever-present at Cream King.  Phil and his wife, Laurie, reside in Hopewell Township and have raised 3 daughters.  The youngest, Erin, is in college. Her older siblings Lauren and Kristen have married and begun families  of their own… most recently adding Abby, Phil’s first grandchild.

“I am really humbled by this recognition. I am proud of the work of the YMCA. I studied and learned from the best businesses leaders at Pennington Quality Market and Hopewell Community Bank.  I certainly hope to live up to the standards of Larry & Michael Rothwell and Pat Ryan and Jim Hyman,” stated Phil Volpe.  Phil is proud to escort his mother to the event, stating, “I always promised my mother that I would take her to Jasna Polana someday!”

The 2015 Spring Into Summer Cocktail Benefit will take place on Friday, June 5th at TPC Jasna Polana from 6-8PM. It features a hors d’oeuvres with drinks and ice cream in the exquisite TPC Jasna Polana mansion.  The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Larry Rothwell Social Responsibility Award.  Tickets are currently on sale.  Last year’s event was sold out, so please reserve your ticket early.  The planning committee is currently seeking sponsors, advertisers, and volunteers to help with the event. Please contact the YMCA at 609-737-3048 for additional information or to offer your help!

About the Hopewell Valley YMCA

The Hopewell Valley YMCA is a charitable organization dedicated to building a healthy spirit, mind, and body through programs which promote good health, strong families, youth leadership, and community development.  YMCA’s are open to men, women, and children of all ages, abilities, races, and religions.  The Hopewell Valley YMCA serves over 1,400 individuals each year through athletic, aquatic, camp, enrichment and childcare programming.  The Hopewell Y provides more than $75,000 in financial assistance to needy families each year, runs a free teen center open to Timberlane and High School students, and programming for more than 30 special needs athletes, with a combined 13 medal winners at the 2014 Special Olympics.

About Us

MercerMe is the only hyperlocal, independent, online news outlet serving Hopewell Valley in Mercer County, New Jersey.

Contact us: [email protected]

Search Our Archives