Submitted photo Youth Health Service recently presented Jay Saseen with its annual Heart of Giving Award. Pictured with Saseen, far right, are, from left, Kenna Riddle (YHS Board President), Carol Cain Bush (YHS Board Member), Sarah Jenkins (YHS Executive Co-Director) and Tammie Rizzio (YHS Executive Co-Director).

ELKINS — Youth Health Service recently presented retired Randolph County Schools teacher Jay Saseen with its annual Heart of Giving Award.

Saseen received the award in part for his many hours of volunteering at Youth Health Service.

For the past three years Saseen has been teaching American Red Cross First Aid and CPR to employees of YHS. 

“He has been helping train First Aid and CPR to our staff for at least the last three years now,” Youth Health Service Executive Co-Director Tammie Rizzio told The Inter-Mountain. “That has been such a huge help to us because it’s hard to find trainers that can meet the scheduling needs of our staff and of our business.”

The award is given out each year to an individual, agency, or organization that has in some way helped Youth Health Service achieve its vision of serving the children and families of Randolph and surrounding counties.

“We originally created the award in 2015 in honor of Steve and Jean Jory,” Rizzio said. “Jean was one of the founding members of our Board, and after she resigned we wanted to do something to honor her and Steve’s contributions to Youth Health. They were the very first recipients of the award.”

Saseen was presented with his award at the Youth Health Service Board of Directors meeting in January.

“This award is just a small token of our appreciation for his time and effort,” Rizzio said. “His contributions have not gone unnoticed and we thank him for everything he’s done while volunteering at Youth Health.”

Last year’s award was given to YouthBuild North Central.

Youth Health Service was established in 1978 to serve the health needs of children and adolescents who live in Randolph and surrounding counties. In 1989 YHS was licensed by the state of West Virginia to provide mental health services to children. Over the years YHS has continued to add more and more services to the community.

For more information about Youth Health Service, call 304-636-9450 or visit www.youth-health.org.