Honoring Heartfelt Dedication: Celebrating the 2025 Paganucci Award Winners
- April 30, 2025
- Latest News · News
At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Waterville, we believe that behind every thriving child is a network of supportive, caring adults. Each year, we honor two exceptional individuals who exemplify this belief through the Paganucci Award, a recognition rooted in love, service, and community spirit.
Established in June 2021 through a generous endowment from the Paganucci estate, the award celebrates volunteers who have made a lasting impact on the lives of young people at our Club. Half of the endowment honors Romeo Paganucci, recognizing one adult male who has selflessly enhanced the well-being of a child or group of children. The other half honors Martha Donnelly Paganucci, recognizing an adult female for similar acts of kindness and devotion.
This year, we are proud to recognize Steven Knight and Jess Jones as the 2025 Paganucci Award recipients.
Steven Knight – 2025 Romeo Paganucci Honoree
Steven Knight has become an indispensable member of our Club family. Through his work with Central Maine Gleaners, Steve ensures that nutritious food is regularly delivered to our kitchen, supporting both our After School Program (ASP) and Summer Enrichment Program (SEP). But his dedication doesn’t stop there.
Steve coordinates community gleaning trips, packs Greenhouse to Your House (GHTYH) meal boxes for ASP families, and actively participates in youth gardening programs—planting seeds not just in soil, but in the hearts and minds of our youth. This year, he even took the initiative to revitalize one of our parking lot garden beds, transforming it with vibrant perennial plants. His green thumb is only matched by his generosity and compassion.
Jess Jones – 2025 Martha Donnelly Paganucci Honoree
Jess Jones embodies the true spirit of service through sports and community engagement. She has been a constant presence in the lives of AYCC youth, coaching recreational and travel basketball, softball, and flag football, and serving as a dedicated football booster.
One of Jess’s most inspiring acts of kindness was her personal commitment to an English as a Second Language (ESL) athlete and their sibling—providing both transportation and coaching, and creating a welcoming space for the entire family. Her efforts didn’t just build skills on the field; they strengthened family ties and deepened community connections.
Jess’s reach goes beyond the Club, as she volunteers across the broader community, leaving a positive and lasting impression wherever she goes.
A Legacy of Service
Steven and Jess exemplify what the Paganucci Award stands for: unwavering dedication, kindness, and the belief that every child deserves to feel supported and valued. Their contributions ripple through our programs and into the lives of the children and families we serve.
To Steven and Jess: thank you for the time, heart, and energy you invest. Your impact is immeasurable—and deeply appreciated.