Donor Spotlight: Dean DePiero
Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” Attorney Dean DePiero answers this in many ways and the North Royalton Family YMCA has benefited from his service.
Dean has been an advocate for the Y for a long time, at multiple locations, most recently assisting the North Royalton branch in their fundraising efforts. “The local YMCA has been part of my family for years,” Dean stated. “When I was a kid, I swam at the Y branch in Parma. I had many fond memories there. When I became a parent, my kids began their sporting career participating in all the great Y programs at the North Royalton branch. I personally still coach basketball and attend many functions.”
The DePiero family has been a part of the North Royalton Y since it opened in 2012. Dean’s late wife Kathleen DePiero (Cochrane) was a longtime supporter and a key member of the Y’s advisory board. She was a tremendous advocate for youth and families. Kathleen loved sharing her excitement with other members and the greater community and was focused on introducing family-friendly events to help build and strengthen the community.
In 2016, Kathleen introduced the Bubble Blast 5K. The event is a fundraiser for the Y that assists in providing area youth and families the opportunity to access Y programs and services they otherwise could not afford. The Y provides financial assistance for membership and services such as swim lessons, youth sports, before and after care and camps. When the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, the North Royalton Family YMCA and the city experienced the heartbreaking loss of Kathleen, the Y community responded by naming the 5K event she created in her honor.
Since 2018, the Annual Bubble Blast Kathleen DePiero Memorial 5K has brought out numerous runners and health enthusiasts to the Y. Naturally, the event is a source of pride for Dean.
“I am proud of the impact that the Bubble Run has made on helping to fund youth programs in the community,” he explained. “My family is honored that it is dedicated to my late wife Kathleen.”
Every year, Dean works hard to raise awareness and funds, sharing the many Y stories in Kathleen’s memory. These efforts will eventually translate into opportunities for others to learn to swim, play, work, exercise and thrive.
The 2021 Annual Bubble Blast Kathleen DePiero Memorial 5K takes place at the North Royalton Family YMCA, 11409 State Rd., on Saturday, September 18 at 8:00 am. For more information and to register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/NorthRoyalton/BubbleBlast.
We are grateful for Dean and his support of our Y. To make a gift to the YMCA, please contact Beth Darmstadter, Chief Philanthropy Officer, 440-759-7442, or bdarmstadter@clevelandymca.org or click here.