Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation

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YLD History

"Through effective management and leadership, the individual can make a difference in the fire and emergency medical services."

March 18, 1988

The Beginning

YLD’s Articles of Incorporation as a non-profit foundation are approved by the State of Maryland.

March 18, 1988

March 21, 1988

First Official Meeting

YLD holds its first official organizational meeting and elects its officers.
 
March 21, 1988

August 10, 1988

Bennigan’s Napkin

 
YLD holds its first meeting of the Board of Directors at the Fort George G. Meade, Maryland Officer’s Club and records the first donation pledged by John Hess on a Bennigan’s Napkin!
 
John Hess gets the ball rolling with his pledge on a Bennigan’s Cocktail napkin, which resurfaced years afterward and is a cherished YLD memento. Bennigan’s located in Berwyn Heights, Maryland near Jim’s firehouse located in Berwyn Heights was a favorite Friday night hangout. After the full dress uniform church service at the University of Maryland Chapel in 1988, hundreds of firefighters showed up at Bennigan’s for a final toast. Our very first donation was pledged on a cocktail napkin. Just the way Jim would have done it.
 
August 10, 1988

October 15, 1989

First Scholarship

Deputy Chief James G. Yvorra’s name is read into the record at The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial at the National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, Maryland. YLD announces its first annual scholarship.
 
October 15, 1989

October 20, 1993

501(c) Status

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service grants YLD Section 501(C) non-tax status. This was a five year journey to earn the 510(C) status and it was a proud day for YLD.
 
 
October 20, 1993

September 7, 1995

Sellers Endowment

Mr and Mrs Yvorra on board the Maryland Independence yacht
 
YLD establishes the Donald E. Sellers Endowment for Emergency Medical Services responders aboard the Maryland State yacht Maryland Independence. The endowment was made possible through the late Mr. Seller’s estate.
 
 
September 7, 1995

September 17, 1997

New Website

YLD registers its domain www.yld.org as the Foundation’s official web site.
 
September 17, 1997

September 17, 1998

YLD Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

JIM’S MOM AND DAD CUT THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY CAKE.
YLD celebrates its 10th Anniversary with an outdoor picnic hosted by George and Katie Dodson at their home at Chester, Maryland. YLD reaches a milestone of giving away $30,000 over the past 10 years to 28 members of the emergency services community.
 
September 17, 1998

October 4, 2007

Chief John M. Eversole Endowment

MRS. JOHN (SUE) EVERSOLE AND SON MICHAEL
YLD establishes the Chief John M. Eversole endowment for hazardous materials emergency responders in memory of Chief Eversole at the Annapolis, Maryland Board of Directors meeting. The endowment was made possible through a generous donation from the Eversole family and John’s many friends and colleagues.
October 4, 2007

May 30, 2008

Chief John M. Eversole Endowment

GREG NOLL AND MIKE EVERSOLE, BOARD MEMBERS.
The HABU Lodge sponsors a Bull Roast and Comedy Night at the Maryland Fairgrounds and donates $21,000 to the Chief John M. Eversole Endowment.
May 30, 2008

September 20, 2008

20th Anniversary

 
YLD celebrates its 20th anniversary with a picnic at the Rockburn Branch Pavilion in Elkridge, Maryland with more than 70 friends of YLD attending. Members of the original Prince George’s County Fire Department Hazardous Materials response Team helped celebrate the day with a team reunion. Jim Yvorra served as a founding member of the PGFD HazMat Team and served as a shift officer.
 
JAMES AND RUTH YVORRA WITH BOARD MEMBER JIM ZEIGLER
September 20, 2008

September 20, 2008

To the Future

The YLD Board of Director’s kicks off its YLD at 30 vision and initiates its first long range plan. Where do we want to be in 2018?

September 20, 2008

October 25, 2010

Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation

YLD’s Board of Director’s approves the “Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation: Our Vision for 2018 and Beyond.” Nearly two years in the planning phase, we lay out our plan for the future growth and development of the foundation.

October 25, 2010

October 26, 2012

25th Board Meeting

YLD holds its 25th Board of Directors meeting.

October 26, 2012

November 19, 2013

First Operations Manual

YLD releases its first “Operations Manual” detailing how the foundation operates administratively.
 
November 19, 2013

January 21, 2015

Awards and Scholarships

YLD has given away $140,500 in awards and scholarships to 68 individuals since its inception.
 
 
January 21, 2015

March 18, 2018

Celebrates 30 Years

YLD celebrates 30 years of continuous operation supporting America’s emergency services. YLD held its 30th Anniversary celebration on August 4, 2018 hosted by the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad. Watch the video here. 
 
 
 
March 18, 2018

August 4, 2018

Interstate Dedication

The Maryland State Highway Administration dedicates Interstate 495 at Route 50 as the Deputy Fire Chief James G. Yvorra Memorial Highway.
 
 
 
August 4, 2018

October 17, 2023

Chief Alan Brunacini Special Projects Program Formed

The YLD Board of Directors meets in Annapolis, Maryland and creates to Chief Alan Brunacini Special Projects Program and funds its first $10,000 award for selection in 2024.

Photo: Left to right George Dodson, Katie Dodson, JoAnne Hildebrand, Jim Zeigler, Marlene Ziegler, Donna Hawley, John Hess, Michael Hildebrand, Rose Cogan, and Phil Cogan.

October 17, 2023

November 11, 2024

Chief Alan Brunacini Special Projects Program Endowment Created

image of Fire Chief Brunacini

YLD creates the Chief Alan Brunacini Special Projects on Leadership Program Endowment.

November 11, 2024