Longtime community volunteer Glynn Ross has been named the 2025 Citizen Volunteer of the Year by the Maine Recreation and Park Association (MRPA).

The award was presented at the MRPA Annual Awards Banquet held on Monday, March 17, recognizing Glynn’s outstanding dedication to recreation and community service.

The Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award is presented annually by MRPA to honor an individual who has made a significant impact on their community through ongoing and exceptional volunteer contributions to local parks and recreation programs.

Bridgton Recreation Director Gary Colello presented the award to Glynn at the banquet.

In his speech, Colello highlighted Glynn’s 12 years of service to the Bridgton Recreation Department and the meaningful impact he has made through coaching, volunteering, and supporting community programs. He spoke about Glynn’s reliability, selflessness, and dedication — qualities that have made him a valued member of the Bridgton community.

“It is an absolute honor to stand before you today to recognize someone whose unwavering dedication, generosity,” Colello said. “For the past 12 years, Glynn has been a pillar of the Bridgton recreation community, devoting countless hours to enriching the lives of young athletes and families. Whether serving as a coach, mentor, committee member, or community advocate, he has played a vital role in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive through recreation.”

Colello added, “His contributions are truly remarkable. Over the years, he has dedicated countless hours to coaching youth sports, spanning soccer, basketball, football, and baseball — often managing multiple teams in a single season. He has also organized clinics, facilitated open gym sessions, and fostered an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to grow both on and off the field.”

Colello said he had the pleasure of coaching alongside Glynn and consider him a dear friend.

“His passion for mentoring young athletes and his unwavering commitment to the community are evident in everything he does. He is the coach who stays after practice to help a young athlete master a skill, the mentor who emphasizes life lessons as much as the game itself, and the volunteer who steps in wherever needed — whether that’s officiating a game, preparing a field, or simply lending a helping hand to a neighboring town,” Colello added. “His integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to youth development have left a lasting mark on our community and the Lake Region.”

Glynn doesn’t volunteer for recognition; he does it because “he truly believes in the power of recreation to unite people, teach valuable life lessons, and positively shape the future of our youth. His dedication serves as an inspiration to us all, and it is only fitting that we honor him for the incredible impact he has made,” Colello noted. “…Your work has made a difference, and our community is better because of you.”