FRAMINGHAM — A youth coach and a former town official will be recognized for their work to make a difference in the lives of local youth.
The Framingham High School Foundation on Wednesday announced that it has selected Ron Vallely and Michael Bower as the recipients of its 2018 Salute to Framingham awards.
The pair will be honored at a March 22 ceremony for their “outstanding commitment and service to Framingham’s youth.”
Vallely is known by many for his work over the last 16 years with the Framingham Youth Football and Cheer (FYFC) program. He has held a range of positions with the group, from serving as president to announcing games from the back of a pickup truck, wrapping hot dogs and making chili. He is also a past president of the Bay State Youth Football and Cheer Conference, and is its executive director.
“Ron worked for years within the program, always coming up with unique and innovative ways for the program to expand, succeed and be financially sound,” the foundation’s announcement reads. “He was always looking for activities to give back to others within our community, teaching the youth of the program the importance of respect for themselves and others, and always encouraging the kids to do their best on and off the field.”
Vallely also coached youth softball, baseball and TBA basketball teams for a number of years. In selecting him for this year’s award, the foundation wrote that he “works tirelessly to ensure safe and competitive environments, outstanding commitment and service for the youth of each of these individual town programs.”
“His efforts and contributions go above and beyond teaching the fundamentals of football and cheer,” the announcement reads.
Bower served five years on the Framingham School Committee, and was previously chairman of Town Meeting’s Standing Committee on Education. He won a seat on the Board of Selectmen in 2013, and was instrumental in establishing “Team Framingham,” a program that allows 22 residents and school employees to raise money for local charities by running the Boston Marathon. The program has generated donations of nearly $270,000, with much of the money supporting programs that benefit Framingham youth, including FHS Resiliency for Life, the Framingham High School Foundation, Hoops and Homework, The Boys and Girls Club and the Framingham Youth Initiative for the Arts.
As a charity runner himself for the Boston Marathon, Bower has personally raised more than $30,000 since 2010 for the Boys and Girls Club and the Ron Burton Training Village, according to the foundation.
Before moving to Framingham, Bower served as a School Committee member in Randolph. In an announcement, the foundation praised Bower’s “experience, collaborative style, thoughtful approach, consensus building and open mindedness.”
“Mike’s community service for the benefit of students on both school committees is of particular note, as he has no children,” reads an announcement. “Many witnessed firsthand his effort and dedication to ensure the best possible job was done for the benefit of our district’s students.”
This year’s Salute to Framingham will take place at 5 p.m. on March 22 at the Sheraton Framingham ballroom. Tickets for the event will go on sale online Feb. 1.
Proceeds from the event benefit the foundation, which supports extracurricular activities, arts and athletics at Framingham High School.
For more information, visit salute-to-framingham.com or contact Sydney Turner at sydneysturner@aol.com or 508-872-1057.
Jim Haddadin can be reached 617-863-7144 or jhaddadin@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter: @JimHaddadin